Killjoys cancelling Halloween--is this the new normal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s the anti-culture wars. Apparently we aren’t allowed to have a dominant culture anymore because of equity. I don’t think the woke left realizes there will be nothing left to bring people together if all we do is cancel everything.

Huh, so my schools in rural NC that didn't celebrate Halloween because of all the Christians who objected were part of the "woke left"? They'll be surprised to hear that

Ha. But this raises a good point. It's a problem to cancel it because of the Christians for the same reason it's a problem to cancel it because of the woke left. I just posted this in the other thread on this but pasting here as well:

As someone who is VERY concerned about equity, this cancelling Halloween business really pisses me off. It gives actual, important equity measures a bad name while eliminating one of the few remaining, old-fashioned joys of American childhood.

If there's an actual concern about equity, I would recommend that the kids be allowed to make costumes in school as part of art class OR that the PTA send around a note encouraging home made costumes and providing some helpful links to things that can be made from simple articles in the home OR that the school counselor host a halloween closet (as they sometimes do for food or winter coats) to which families can donate costumes and kids in need of costumes can come pick one out, on the DL if they prefer.

As for the religion question: The fact that some people have a religious issue with Halloween doesn't mean it should be cancelled for everyone, full stop. Doing so creates a very troubling precedent. Halloween as it's practiced today is simply not a religious holiday, full stop. I realize that it may still be a bridge too far for some people who have extreme religious beliefs, and it's absolutely appropriate that they be allowed to sit out things that make them uncomfortable. It is NOT appropriate for there discomfort to lead to the cancellation of those things for everyone else. I don't care if we're talking about sex ed, or the teaching of evolution, or, yes, Halloween. We simply cannot be a thriving, vital, pluralistic democracy if we put an end to everything that someone has a problem with.

Totally agree PP. Child of immigrants here. Everything is just a big deal these days and every person needs so much catering FFS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Totally agree PP. Child of immigrants here. Everything is just a big deal these days and every person needs so much catering FFS.

Yeah, I don't understand why people are making such a huge fuss about schools on October 31 having just a regular school day, or a fall party, instead of specifically an in-school Halloween party.

Wait, what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to school in an area with lots of conservative fundies / evangelicals and we also couldn't have anything Halloween at school because "it's satanic." Still had fun trick or treating.

And, these people weren't part of the "woke left" then or now. I have conservative childhood friends who won't even let their kids truck or treat because it's "evil."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having the schools take responsibility for Halloween was useful for those of us parents who found taking our child ToT to be anxiety-inducing events because of so many masked children, the crowds, and the time commitment. My child could participate in the holiday and I wouldn’t be subjected to the tortuous stress. Now I have to decide whether it is worth my emotional health to venture out with DD. I wish the schools would consider that before deciding to cancel something that was so helpful. I wish those of you so callously dismissing the decisions as NBD would think of someone other than yourself.

Damn you, Poe's Law.

The 'Poe's Law' line gets a lot of traction around here, but damn...that is a hard post to get to the bottom of

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to school in an area with lots of conservative fundies / evangelicals and we also couldn't have anything Halloween at school because "it's satanic." Still had fun trick or treating.

And, these people weren't part of the "woke left" then or now. I have conservative childhood friends who won't even let their kids truck or treat because it's "evil."

+1 I'm the poster from a school where the principal periodically surveys the parents and let me assure you it is not the "woke left" that doesn't want to allow Halloween.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shut up, OP. Your kids can still dress up for Halloween and go trick or treating. Dressing up for school and having a parade is a huge distraction. I'd rather my kids be learning.

Giving kids things to anticipate is good for them. It doesn't have to be a Halloween party.

It's why they like the odd snow day, too. Of course, there are parents who bemoan those, too.

You sound lazy. Be a parent, do fun things with your kids!!

[Anonymous]

MCPS should just make 10/31 or the closest school day a teacher work day. Let parents host Halloween parties at home if they are that important.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, the teachers do not want it. They are ram rodding through the pacing guide. There is no time for them to be adjusting little Larlo’s costume mask, outfit, and accessories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s the anti-culture wars. Apparently we aren’t allowed to have a dominant culture anymore because of equity. I don’t think the woke left realizes there will be nothing left to bring people together if all we do is cancel everything.

Huh, so my schools in rural NC that didn't celebrate Halloween because of all the Christians who objected were part of the "woke left"? They'll be surprised to hear that

Ha. But this raises a good point. It's a problem to cancel it because of the Christians for the same reason it's a problem to cancel it because of the woke left. I just posted this in the other thread on this but pasting here as well:

As someone who is VERY concerned about equity, this cancelling Halloween business really pisses me off. It gives actual, important equity measures a bad name while eliminating one of the few remaining, old-fashioned joys of American childhood.

If there's an actual concern about equity, I would recommend that the kids be allowed to make costumes in school as part of art class OR that the PTA send around a note encouraging home made costumes and providing some helpful links to things that can be made from simple articles in the home OR that the school counselor host a halloween closet (as they sometimes do for food or winter coats) to which families can donate costumes and kids in need of costumes can come pick one out, on the DL if they prefer.

As for the religion question: The fact that some people have a religious issue with Halloween doesn't mean it should be cancelled for everyone, full stop. Doing so creates a very troubling precedent. Halloween as it's practiced today is simply not a religious holiday, full stop. I realize that it may still be a bridge too far for some people who have extreme religious beliefs, and it's absolutely appropriate that they be allowed to sit out things that make them uncomfortable. It is NOT appropriate for there discomfort to lead to the cancellation of those things for everyone else. I don't care if we're talking about sex ed, or the teaching of evolution, or, yes, Halloween. We simply cannot be a thriving, vital, pluralistic democracy if we put an end to everything that someone has a problem with.

Totally agree PP. Child of immigrants here. Everything is just a big deal these days and every person needs so much catering FFS.

+1 million

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just heard that my kids elementary school is not doing Halloween in the name of equity. Some families don't celebrate and they wanted to be inclusive. Instead it will be "dress like your favorite book character day" but no ghosts, ghouls, vampires, or dementors allowed. No parade or Halloween-themes crafts. I'm wondering if this is widespread throughout the county or if our school principal is uniquely anti-fun.

''

Just have them dress up as an asymptomatic spreader

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s the anti-culture wars. Apparently we aren’t allowed to have a dominant culture anymore because of equity. I don’t think the woke left realizes there will be nothing left to bring people together if all we do is cancel everything. [/quote



Chicken Little, it'll be okay.

Go find a Columbus toppled statue to cry over

[Anonymous]

They say it is about wasting class time but I see an awful lot of class time being wasted. Why is my kid learning about community helpers for the third year in a row instead of, I don't know, ancient Egypt? Why did we just add another special "wellness"? Can anyone explain what they are learning that can't be taught at home? Why is it fine for the teacher to read a book with the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (Rameenas Ramadan) but no books about Halloween, God forbid Christmas. One afternoon party is going to take away from reading and math?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They say it is about wasting class time but I see an awful lot of class time being wasted. Why is my kid learning about community helpers for the third year in a row instead of, I don't know, ancient Egypt? Why did we just add another special "wellness"? Can anyone explain what they are learning that can't be taught at home? Why is it fine for the teacher to read a book with the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (Rameenas Ramadan) but no books about Halloween, God forbid Christmas. One afternoon party is going to take away from reading and math?

Ancient Egypt is taught in the 6th grade. At least learn the curriculum if you are going to complain about it shortchanging your child.

[Anonymous]

I'm so glad my kids are out of elementary school and in older grades. I was always the room parent and the parents who complained the most demanding the parties were the cheapest, laziest parents of all. They wouldn't donate or help with any of the activities and I used to have to do it all and pay for it. I can give those who are low income a free pass but ironically they are the ones who would donate (just not sign up). If I was lucky, I'd have 1-2 parents out of a classroom of 25 donate a few things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They say it is about wasting class time but I see an awful lot of class time being wasted. Why is my kid learning about community helpers for the third year in a row instead of, I don't know, ancient Egypt? Why did we just add another special "wellness"? Can anyone explain what they are learning that can't be taught at home? Why is it fine for the teacher to read a book with the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (Rameenas Ramadan) but no books about Halloween, God forbid Christmas. One afternoon party is going to take away from reading and math?

How upsetting that your child has to learn about community helpers for multiple years, instead of mastering the topic in kindergarten and then moving on to Plato's Republic.