NECSD Celebrates Halloween with Trunk or Treat

By Journalist Dr. Ms. Jones

NEWBURGH – On Tuesday, October 29th the Newburgh Enlarged City School District (NECSD) held theirfirst Annual Trunk or Treat. It was located at Gidney Avenue Memorial School. It was a district-wide event, open to all students and families of The Newburgh Enlarged City School District (NECSD).

“This is a family and community engagement event. We partnered with Youth Build and we created this opportunity for all of our students in the district… We just wanted to do something for the community and have a free opportunity to get safe candy,” said Dr. Natasha Freeman-Mack Assistant Superintendent Chief Equity Officer.

NECSD and Youth Build organized the event as a joint collaboration. They already work together providing youth with an alternative educational environment where students receive education, youth development, as well as career training and workforce readiness.
“We were working with the school district and came together and said, ‘Let’s do something for the community.’ We work closely with them because it’s so important for us not to work in individual groups… It takes a village. So, we are here as a village to kind of help our youth get to where they need to be,” said Nicole Gonzalez, Executive Coordinator of Newburgh Youth Build, a pre-apprenticeship program for 16- to 24-year-olds that helps them obtain their GED as well as get certifications in construction, culinary and hospitality, and become certified medical assistants.

Hundreds of NECSD students attended Trunk or Treat dressed in a variety of costumes. Parent were thankful as this presented and alternative from going door-to-door trick-or-treating.

“It’s safer. [It] saves time… [It’s] better than going [and] ringing people’s doorbell and they’re not expecting it,” said Parent David Kenan who brought his daughter to the event. “It’s from the school and [I] feel like it’s just a better environment for all kids and you don’t worry about anybody from the outside… It’s run by the school, so people are gonna come with their kids and its really no single person walking around.

Community Partners distributed candy. Partners included McDonald’s, NECSD schools, TEAM Newburgh, The Newburgh Free Library, MVP, The Kappa Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and Youth Build. Walmart gave out certificates to get a free eye exam and a discount on glasses for students.Students ate the Best Apple Cider Donuts in the Hudson Valley donated by Dubois Farms. DJ Manifest AKA Manny Batista, who teaches at Temple Hill Academy, kept the music flowing playing Halloween music, hip-hop, dance music, and Spanish music. Nike played ball with students. Students played giant Connect Four. Even Superintendent Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell played cornhole with students and passed out candy.

“It is such a wonderful opportunity to be out here in our community with everyone. It gives us an opportunity to have all of our community partners, all the students, [and] the families [together]… It’s just a really nice event. I love it! It’s [a time] to celebrate around something joyous and give the students an opportunity to trick or treat in a safe environment,” said Superintendent Dr. Manning Campbell. “This is just one example of what education is and what our community and our district is all about. Every single person is responsible. Everyone takes a role and we see positive outcomes when everyone works together towards a stated mission and goal.”

Journalist Ms. Jones