What happens in an elementary school when Halloween rolls around?

According to Southern Bluffs music teacher Jill Schams, there's a lot of planning around keeping kids focused — especially with a full moon, late-night Brewers games and trick-or-treating all happening in the same week.

Hopped up on candy, worried about their costumes, a lot of distractions but Schams says they find a way to keep kids focused. Sticking with Halloween, we also discussed how old is too old to trick-or-treat and what kind of things are families handing out this year — Ramen noodles? 

There was some school-related conversation, as well, including the debate over private-school vouchers and public education funding. Schams points out that La Crosse spends nearly $3 million in taxpayer money for private-school vouchers while the public school district faces a budget deficit of about the same amount.

She is also asked about student performance, declining enrollment and the value of music and arts education.

Also in the conversation:


Halloween at school: Why some schools allow costumes and others don't, and how teachers plan around the distractions.


The voucher debate: Why Schams believes taxpayer money should go to public schools — or that private schools receiving public funds should follow the same rules.


School funding: The impact of rising costs and a lack of new state funding on staffing, class sizes and programs.


The budget surplus: How extra state money could help school districts, including rural communities.


Student performance: La Crosse's reading scores and graduation rate, and why Schams says test scores don't tell the whole story.

What happens in an elementary school when Halloween rolls around?
According to Southern Bluffs music teacher Jill Schams, there's a lot of planning around keeping kids focused &mdash; especially with a full moon, late-night Brewers games and trick-or-treating all happening in the same week.
Hopped up on candy, worried about their costumes, a lot of distractions but Schams says they find a way to keep kids focused. Sticking with Halloween, we also discussed how old is too old to trick-or-treat and what kind of things are families handing out this year &mdash; Ramen noodles?&nbsp;
There was some school-related conversation, as well, including the debate over private-school vouchers and public education funding. Schams points out that La Crosse spends nearly $3 million in taxpayer money for private-school vouchers while the public school district faces a budget deficit of about the same amount.
She is also asked about student performance, declining enrollment and the value of music and arts education.
Also in the conversation:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Halloween at school: Why some schools allow costumes and others don't, and how teachers plan around the distractions.
</li>
<li>
The voucher debate: Why Schams believes taxpayer money should go to public schools &mdash; or that private schools receiving public funds should follow the same rules.
</li>
<li>
School funding: The impact of rising costs and a lack of new state funding on staffing, class sizes and programs.
</li>
<li>
The budget surplus: How extra state money could help school districts, including rural communities.
</li>
<li>
Student performance: La Crosse's reading scores and graduation rate, and why Schams says test scores don't tell the whole story.
</li>
</ul>

Listener conversations about the days events in and around the La Crosse area.  Weekdays from 5-6pm on WIZM 1410AM and 92.3FM

La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM