A group of Lancaster parents is organizing its own Halloween walk after Mary Rowlandson Elementary School canceled the longtime Husky Walk tradition. Families say they were disappointed by the decision and felt their concerns went unheard, prompting them to create an alternative event to keep the community tradition alive.
A Halloween tradition getting a second chance
and it's all thanks to parents who refuse to let it fade away.
Boston 25 News reporter Ellie Murillo on scene in Lancaster.
Parents tell me when they were informed that the annual
Halloween Husky Walk was canceled, they fought to bring it back.
I even asked Principal Scott Blanchard if he would reconsider,
but now they're taking action and they're determined to save Halloween.
Just seeing all the kids dressed up in their costumes,
seeing them show their friends and be excited and cheer them on.
Parents were told the annual Halloween Husky Walk
was canceled back in September.
And since then, parents at Mary Rowlandson Elementary
say they've tried everything to bring it back,
even showing up to last week's school
committee meeting to talk options.
But Jennifer King says that didn't go so well.
Basically completely ignored. We got no response whatsoever.
Now parents are planning a walk of their own this Friday.
We've made both of these, but we've actually like sewed
this costume and did the face.
Those who wish to join can dismiss
their children by following school protocol.
Jennifer says they've even coordinated
with local police to keep safety a priority.
It is completely your right to go ahead
and dismiss your child if you want to do this.
Just please be advised you've got to...
Follow the regulations that the school has,
which would be to go on to pick up patrol.
I've already spoken to the chief of police, and he is supporting us,
and he will be making sure that there
are police officers along the route for our safety.
Principal Scott Blanchard previously told Boston 25 he
was aware that parents wanted this walk reinstated,
but didn't disclose if he would reconsider.
He also stood firm on lack of student participation as a reason.
Parents say this tradition is worth...
Fighting for my grandma, my dad, my mom, my aunt,
my uncle, almost all my cousins, me, my two older brothers
and my little brother are doing it, which is crazy. Many decades.
Yeah, it's just something everybody looks forward to.
If you do plan to attend, parents want to make sure
your child is accompanied by a responsible adult.
They tell me safety always comes first. We're on scene in Lancaster.
I'm Ellie Murillo for your local station. Boston 25 news.
