So, the plan is to carve pumpkins on Tuesday, October 30th. I will have all the tools and supplies and (hopefully) every student can bring a pumpkin. I'll cut the lid, but students can do all of the cleaning and carving as the tools are all small and safe. 

The idea would be to create a stencil to use for carving onto the pumpkin. I used a similar idea with my sons last year when they were 5 and almost 3. They still needed some help with the carving, but I think the class will really be able to take it a step further and do most, if not all of the work on their own. The top three pictures show what my kids were able to do last year and they were very pleased with the results.

The rest of the pictures are pumpkins that I have carved in the past to show some examples of what can be accomplished with some time, patience and practice. Some of these stencils might not be too difficult for members of the class to attempt, so I will try to have some ability-appropriate stencil options available for Tuesday as well. 

If anyone has any issues getting a pumpkin to school for Tuesday next week, please contact me, as I can try to have a selection of extras just in case.

Today was a new experience for me. The students of Mackenzie banded together to duct tape myself and Mr. Coo to the gym wall to help raise some money for the Terry Fox Foundation. I was surprised and moderately frightened by the generosity of division 7 as more and more tape was purchased to get me fully stuck to the wall. In total, the school was able to raise $178.10 in just that one hour, with our school total now soaring well above our original goal. 
Tomorrow, between recess and lunch, the school will be going out for our Terry Fox Run. It looks like the weather will cooperate and I hope we have a great morning.