Frenship ISD schools celebrated fall with a range of seasonal activities, giving students a chance to embrace Halloween spirit and seasonal traditions. At Upland Heights Elementary, the annual pumpkin patch offered students the chance to pick out pumpkins and dive into conversations around fall traditions and decorating.  

Principal Denise Stewart, who introduced this tradition nine years ago, loves that the students have the opportunity to get outside the classroom and pick out pumpkins. 

“This is a fun activity for classes. Shopping and/or buying pumpkins can be incorporated into conversations in the classroom. We also host a pumpkin decorating contest, so this allows students to buy the pumpkin if they want to participate,” said Stewart. “We work hard on academics, but experiences like the pumpkin patch are important to incorporate and let students experience, too.”  

Stewart noted that for some young students, it was their first pumpkin patch experience, sparking pure joy as they carefully selected the biggest or smallest pumpkins they could find. 

“Of course, they try to buy the biggest or smallest pumpkins that they can find!  Sending the students home with the pumpkins is always a fun experience,” said Stewart. “Seeing our pre-k kids hold a big ol' pumpkin is fun.  Plus, for some, this is the first time for them to experience a pumpkin patch.  Lots of excited kids on this day.” 

Meanwhile, at Alcove Trails Middle School, art teacher Thomas Messerschmidt engaged students in a creative Halloween-themed art project. Inspired by online ideas, he guided students in using different art tools to create eerie Halloween scenes, complete with aged edges achieved by burning the paper.  

“They loved the burning of the paper edges and choosing between chalk pastels, watercolors, colored pencils and baby oil for the background of the picture,” said Messerschmidt. 

The students' biggest takeaways from the activity were learning about the versatility of artistic techniques and the impact of creative expression. 

“They learned about using the different mediums for the background and learned about silhouette drawings and aging their papers,” said Messerschmidt. “This project showed them that if they apply themselves, they can create anything they set their mind to.” 

At Heritage Middle School, Media Specialist Nichole Griffith introduced “Library in the Dark,” a unique experience where students explored books and played games in the dark, using flashlights to navigate.  

“I wanted to show students a fun, new side of the library,” said Griffith. “Reading and playing games in the dark feels like a mini adventure, almost like a campout. They’re often surprised at how the dim lighting and flashlights make everything feel fresh and exciting.” 

The event featured games like UNO, balancing games, and puzzles, adding a playful touch to the library's cozy, mysterious atmosphere. Griffith hopes this event will encourage students to see the library as a place for both learning and adventure. 

“This event definitely changes how students see the library. It lets them know the library can be a place for adventure, fun, and connection—not just studying,” said Griffith. “When they have these positive, memorable experiences, they’re more likely to see the library as a spot they want to visit again and again.” 

These seasonal events across Frenship schools enriched students' fall with memorable experiences, blending creativity, learning, and laughter in unforgettable ways.