Middleburg Heights, OH (WJW) – Big Creek Elementary students can be pretty persuasive.
Last week, 53 first graders from the school in Middleburg Heights marched to city hall to ask Mayor Gary Starr to extend the hours for trick or treating this Halloween.
The students questioned more than 500 classmates and staff at their school regarding the Halloween hours extension, and they put together a demonstration for the mayor.
It worked.
“I’m granting by order of my official office the extension of Halloween on October 31st from 6 to 8:30 p.m. an extra half hour for you” said Mayor Gary Starr, of Middleburg Heights. “The old adage was, you ever hear this: you cannot fight city hall. Well, you did and guess what — you won.”
The first graders were being taught how their local governments work and what they can do to make a difference in their community.
“Oh, it’s wonderful, ya know, it really gives them a sense of ownership, it empowers them to go out and do something. I mean really that the mayor took them seriously told them the pros and cons of their proposal was just amazing,” said Kristy Krajniak, a first grade teacher.
And the first graders gave their reasons why they wanted Halloween extended.
“Children will get more exercise if it’s extended 30 minutes longer,” said Charlie Mittendorf, a first grade student.
“Working parents have more time to trick or treat with their parents when they get home later,” said Audrey Hansen, a first grade student.
