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Daycroft’s Annual “Monster Mash” Delivers Another “Graveyard Smash”

This Year’s Pre-Halloween Party at Daycroft Montessori School, the Eighth Annual, Delights Nearly 500 Students, Parents, and Other Guests with “Frightening” Fun

Ann Arbor, MI (November 18, 2009) – When first-time attendees of Daycroft Montessori School’s annual Monster Mash event step through the school’s doors, they are inevitably awed by the near-total transformation of the building’s atmosphere.

Their typical responses: “Amazing!” “Incredible!” “Fantastic!”

“Somebody call the Ghostbusters!”

This year’s Monster Mash, the eighth annual, was no exception. Ooh’s, aah’s, and playful shrieks were the common refrains from the more than 500 members of the extended Daycroft family who attended the pre-Halloween party – Daycroft’s biggest of the year.

The gathering included students, parents, and their relatives and friends. Also on hand were Daycroft teachers, administrators, and a few alumni. All children, and nearly half of the adults, were in Halloween costumes.

The festivities happened on Saturday, October 24, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at Daycroft’s Elementary School Campus at 1095 N. Zeeb Rd. Spookily themed activities took place amid haunted house-like lighting and decorations throughout the school:

In the science room, children became mad scientists for the night, investigating mysterious substances at Dr. Frankenstein’s Lab.

Kids created creepy crafts in the art room.

In the music room, Daycroft students and families could have their photos taken against a choice of four ghoulish green-screen backgrounds.

A magician, Jeff Wawrzaszek, performed in the library kiva.

The school’s gymnasium hosted the Bat-Cave, with music, dancing, an indoor slide, a snack shack, and “Graveyard Golf.”

Daycroft’s littlest monsters, mostly of preschool and kindergarten age, enjoyed their own fun, games, and surprises in a special Mini-Mash area, where the scary effects were considerably toned down.

Children trick-or-treated at the “Sweet Shop,” while attendees of all ages nibbled on hot dogs and other easy-to-eat goodies at the “Halloweener Hut” food station.

Daycroft ghoulies and ghosties partook of monstrous manicures, horrible hairspraying, and frightening face-painting in the Boo-tification Spa.

The Daycroft Parent Guild stages Monster Mash each year. Terri Middleton, the mother of two current Daycroft students and two recent graduates, chairs the event’s committee. “Monster Mash is pure family-friendly fun,” she said.

This year’s pre-event planning and set-up, post-event clean-up, and shift work at the many activity and treat areas were the work of nearly 100 volunteers. “Monster Mash couldn’t have happened without them,” said Middleton.

As for the result of all of this hard work? “The proof was in the obvious delight of all who attended this year’s Monster Mash,” said Diane Mukkala, Daycroft’s head of school. “It was once again – as the song puts it – a graveyard smash.”

About Daycroft Montessori School

Daycroft Montessori School blends the distinctive student-centered teaching methods of Maria Montessori with traditional and progressive teaching methods. Daycroft thus accomplishes its educational mission: to provide a personalized learning environment that appreciates individual differences, nurtures the whole child, and enables students to develop at their own pace and achieve to their full potential.

Daycroft is one of Washtenaw County’s leading independent schools. It began as a preschool program in 1968. Daycroft has since grown to include a full-day kindergarten program, an elementary school program through 6th grade, before-school and after-school care, summer camp programs, and enrichment classes.

Daycroft has earned accreditation from the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS; www.isacs.org). It is a member of the Associations of Independent Michigan Schools; www.aims-mi.org) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS; www.nais.org).

Daycroft Preprimary School (preschool and kindergarten) is at 100 E. Oakbrook Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 930-0333.

Daycroft Elementary School (grades K through 6) and Daycroft’s administrative offices are at 1095 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Phone: (734) 662-3335.

Media Contact:
Chris Kochmanski
DesignHub, Inc.
(734) 944-8705
chris@design-hub.com

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