On Sunday, October 27, Birch Grove Community School in Tofte was filled with a festive atmosphere as the PTO-sponsored Halloween Carnival roared to life.
“This long-standing tradition provides some Halloween fun for the youth of Cook and Lake County,” said Diane Blanchette, school director. “You know that trick-or-treating up here can be challenging, and in my opinion, children deserve to have a bit of magic in their lives.”
More than two dozen community volunteers, parents, grandparents, and neighbors were on hand to ensure the kids had a “spooktacular time” for all the various activities.
The Tofte branch of Grand Marais State Bank donated $300 for bingo prizes. Chuck and Mary VanDoren, longtime supporters of Birch Grove, ran the bingo games.
Tofte General Store donated Halloween-decorated cakes for the cakewalk and dozens of pumpkins to help decorate the school.
There were plenty of kids’ games for all ages. Door prizes donated by community members and local businesses rounded out the day.
Food was prepared in the school lunchroom, including a popular chili whipped up by Angie Fernlund, the school lunch lady.
Stacy’s North Shore Treats, a local home-based bakery, was on hand to sell cookies.
Birch Grove was selling the Wolf Ridge 2025 calendar, which features wildlife photography from Tofte’s Tom Spence. It costs only $15.
The United States Forest Service in Tofte did a “Trick or Treat” visit for Birch Grove students.
Birch Grove Community School is a tuition-free, public charter school serving students from their Saplings program through fifth grade. It offers low student-teacher ratios and top-quality programs.
The school received “High-Quality Charter School” status from the Minnesota Department of Education in 2024. Just 17 of Minnesota’s 181 public charter schools met or exceeded the “High-Quality Charter School” criteria. Birch Grove has received High-Quality Charter School status three times previously.
Director Blachette wrote, “At Birch Grove, we focus on the basics. Reading, writing, and math are the core of our active classrooms; we continue daily learning and experiencing through a literal “down-to-earth” approach outside in our exquisite natural surroundings.”
You can explore more about the school at birchgroveschool.com, its Facebook page, email birchgrove@boreal.org, or call (218)663-0170.
