Early Childhood Center celebrates second Scarecrow Parade

LOOKALIKES: ECC staffers Patti Loffredo, left, and Tina Brodeur came dressed for last Friday’s Scarecrow Parade with plaid shirts and straw hats.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

SPECIAL TIME: Korrine Pilkington and her daughter Sky enjoy a special embrace prior to last Friday’s ECC Parade.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

KIM’S KORNER: ECC teachers like Kim Hatton, left, and Felicia Chionchio were all decked out in special grab and led last Friday’s Scarecrow Parade.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

SCAREY CHUMS: Every ECC student came dressed in special garb for last Friday’s Scarecrow Parade.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

MIGHTY MOMENTOS: Johnston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bernard DiLullo Jr. helped make last Friday’s ECC Scarecrow Parade special by presenting each student with a pencil as they made their way through the administration offices.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

CARROLL’S CLASS: ECC teacher Nicole Carroll and her class were all smiles as they ended their trek in last Friday’s Scarecrow Parade.

HATS OFF? A sudden gust of wind greeted ECC students outside the school administration offices.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION: Early Childhood Center students prepare to embark on their second annual Scarecrow Parade on Friday.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

Johnston Sun Rise · Thursday, November 3, 2016 12:45 pm

By Pete Fontaine

It’s a new annual event featuring old-fashioned fun, and also serves as a unique learning experience. It’s the wonderful work of Julie-anne Zarrella, Kim Hatton, and Felicia Chionchio, just to name a few folks.

It’s the Early Childhood Center’s Scarecrow Parade, which includes children and adults and kicks off a daylong list of events inside Johnston’s now one-year-old kindergarten program.

Sometime around 9:30 a.m. Friday, ECC students walked out of the school, paraded through the Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library, and went on to the Johnston Public Schools administration office, where the were greeted by a host of smiling staffers.

Heading that group was Dr. Bernard DiLullo Jr., superintendent of schools, who welcomed each and every student and gave all the children a special unsharpened scarecrow pencil.

“Dr. DiLullo really helped make today special,” said Zarrella, the ECC’s principal. “He has been our biggest supporter of our students, teachers, and programs since this school opened last year.”

DiLullo, who opted for professional attire, offered: “All the students and teachers looked great in their scarecrow costumes. They were all creatively put together. The students appeared to have a great time as they marched outside and through the building. Our office staff was impressed with how courteous the ECC students were as they paraded through the administration office.”

The superintendent, who enjoys seeing staffers initiate such innovative programs, also offered: “Thank you to Mrs. Zarrella and the faculty and staff of the ECC for adding extra enjoyment for our students and planning these special events. I know these are the experiences students appreciate and remember fondly.”