Students solve fun Halloween problems

From left, Lynnhaven Elementary third grader Khloe Moore, dressed as a police officer, won some candy after making patterns with pumpkins, hosted by Green Run Collegiate students Mylinh Zavala-Meza and Abigail Amador-Hamlin.

Lynnhaven Elementary fourth grader Luke Neal came to the school’s “Trunk Or Treat” event disguised as a video game character. He solved a word problem provided by second grade teacher Alexcia Garner, right. His mother Jesarae Neal, left, accompanied her son.

Let the scary games begin!

Ghosts, goblins, princesses and other costume-clad students returned to Lynnhaven Elementary School Oct. 30 for an evening of Halloween fun and games.

Spooky sounds echoed through the hallways as they filled their bags with treats. The song “Monster Mash” played in the cafeteria as all kinds of games generated shrills of excitement.

Learning experiences were folded into the fun.

Second grade teacher Alexcia Garner hosted a word problem game.

“Want to spin?” she asked the trick or treaters.

Fourth grader Luke Neal, dressed as a video game character, spun a color wheel to pick a grade level problem to solve.

The challenge involved “Lauren,” who had 20 stickers to give to four friends. “How many stickers will each friend receive?” Luke was asked.

His correct answer of “five,” awarded him some candy.

The school’s Family Engagement Team — math specialist Leslie Umphlette and reading specialist Karen Christmas — organized the event.

This is the first year Halloween activities related to reviewing for the Standards of Learning (SOL).

Lynnhaven Elementary music teacher Katrina Peele entertained trick or treaters by playing the xylophone with some skeleton bones.

“We want to bring families out to have fun and leave with something learned,” Christmas said.

Math coach Patrick Carr was in charge of the “sorting spiders” game.

“Who is my next victim?” he asked with a smile.

Students enjoyed picking up the tiny purple, green and gold plastic insects and making patterns.

Nearby, third grader Khloe Moree — dressed as a police officer — also created patterns with green, black and orange plastic pumpkins.

Volunteers from Green Run Collegiate and Landstown High School helped organize some of the activities.

Eden Henok said she likes math and helping younger students.

The Green Run Collegiate junior challenged students to place skeleton bones on correct digits in numbers, thus practicing place values of tens, hundreds and thousands.

“This is a way for them to study and also have a good time,” Eden said.

Lynnhaven Elementary’s community partner Nothing Bundt Cakes at Hilltop joined the fun at the school’s annual “Trunk or Treat” event. Marketing manager Leigh Fry passed out samples to the trick or treaters.

Community partners also joined in the spooky fun.

Nothing Bundt Cakes, located on Laskin Road at Hilltop, brought cake samples for attendees and donated “cake walk” prizes. Participants paid $1 to participate and proceeds benefited the school’s Student Council Association.

Marketing manager Leigh Fry said the company enjoys spreading joy about their products. “We love seeing the students’ faces light up,” she added.

The Plaza Volunteer Rescue Squad brought an ambulance and handed out candy, and the Virginia Beach Public Library provided a story walk.

Students read part of the book “What If…” by Samantha Berger as they walked down the hall and left with some discussion questions and an at-home activity.

Principal Dr. TaShenna Wiggins thanked the high school volunteers, staff and community partners for coming together to create a successful celebration.

Adding math and literary games enhanced student learning, she said.

“We play games, learn together and have fun.”