Palatine High offers Halloween fun for kids
Palatine High School presents the annual free Trick or Treat with Pirate Pete event from 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at the school, 1111 N. Rohlwing Road, Palatine. Children ages 10 and younger, accompanied by an adult, are invited to attend this annual celebration.
Students from a variety of Palatine High School clubs, organizations, programs and athletic teams will staff the event. The gym and cafeteria will have a large selection of carnival-type games for the children to play. Classrooms throughout the first floor of the school will be decorated using themes.
Each classroom has a sign outside letting parents know if the room is "scary" or "not scary" for the children. Many treats will be handed out at the event.
Twenty years ago, Gary Steiger, now principal at Palatine High School, had three young children. It was Halloween and the weather was cold and rainy. A friend told him that Randhurst Mall was hosting an indoor trick-or-treat event at their facility. The family attended the Randhurst event and the idea was born to host a similar event at the high school.
Steiger planned the first trick-or-treat event at Fremd High School, and has been hosting the event at Palatine High School for the last 19 years.
Steiger looks at the event as a way to give back to the Palatine community.
"The trick-or-treat festival started out as a small way to allow our students to give back to the community of Palatine and has become such a big part of our community that it is wonderful to see. It really is a great community event that lets our Pirates give back by providing our future Pirates a warm, dry and safe place to go trick-or-treating," Steiger said.
Palatine High School chemistry teacher Nicki O'Keefe, who is helping plan the event this year, remembers Trick or Treat with Pirate Pete from her time at Palatine High School as a student when she enjoyed decorating a room.
"This is a great opportunity for families to bring their children to a warm, safe and friendly environment to trick-or-treat," O'Keefe said.
The event is sponsored by Palatine High School staff and student groups, along with community organizations and businesses. One of the annual sponsors is the PHS Pirate Boosters. The Booster Club provides an annual grant of $1,700 to subsidize the supplies and candy purchases.
In addition, the Booster Club president sends a letter to area businesses soliciting treats and supplies for the event.
According to Palatine High School Pirate Boosters co-president Alissa DePue, "The Palatine High School Pirate Boosters exist to enhance the Palatine High School experience for our students. We do this both monetarily and through deed.
"Supporting the trick-or-treat festival is one way we demonstrate that mission. By aiding our community, all children - student volunteers and young attendees alike - are impacted in a positive and meaningful way."
For information about Trick or Treat with Pirate Pete, call Palatine High School at (847) 755-1600.
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