That’s Dr. Timm Mackley, superintendent of the Knox Educational Service Center, behind the long hair and flowing beard. He stands next to high school math tutor Sean Sweeney at the Knox Learning Center’s trick-or-treat event Thursday

Windy trick-or-treat at Knox Learning Center

Larry Gibbs

November 1, 2024

MOUNT VERNON – Wind gusts couldn’t blow away the fun of the Knox Learning Center’s annual playground trick-or-treat Thursday afternoon.

Staff, many dressed in colorful Halloween costumes, and community representatives formed a long line around the perimeter of the playground to hand out treats to students.

Chelsea Moore, social worker at the Learning Center, stands with Cohen, a student in the school’s Transition U, during trick-or-treat Thursday afternoon

“The goal was fun for our students but the afternoon also was about community outreach,” said Dr. Timm Mackley, superintendent of the Knox Educational Service Center (ESC). “We appreciate the members of the community who have joined us for trick-or-treat.”

Knox Learning Center staff and community representatives form a line around the school’s playground early Thursday afternoon as they await students for trick-or-treat

The ESC operates the alternative school for K-12 students in the former Mount Vernon West Elementary building on West Vine Street.

Joining Learning Center staff to distribute treats were:

 Kyle Ham and Mariah Gorrell of Village Network.

 Kevin Holley, Knox County juvenile probation officer

 Nancy Beran of Community Roots

Art teacher Kim Aritonovich, who organizes the annual event, echoed Mackley’s comments.

“Trick-or-treat is an opportunity for our students to see community residents in a positive way,” she said. “And it’s a schoolwide morale builder for the kids and our entire staff.”