Why is Halloween Forbidden in Fairfax County Schools?

[Anonymous]

FFX county here. Our elementary had a halloween parade on Friday. Figured they didn't do it today because of early release.

[Anonymous]

There is plenty of time for Halloween fun in the evening and on weekends. There is no need to bring Halloween into the schools (other than art projects or stories).

And I can imagine many kindergarteners and even older could not get themselves out of their costumes in order to go to the bathroom. Teacher do not need to be dealing with this. Kids of all ages would be totally distracted by costumes.

I think my kids get PLENTY of Halloween fun outside of school.

[Anonymous]

They did a book character parade at our DC public charter school. Was great.

[Anonymous]

Our FCPS elementary celebrated Halloween today: kids paraded in costumes and had a mini party. Another FCPS elementary in our same town did not do anything.

[Anonymous]

I am a Christian and I don't celebrate it.

[Anonymous]

Halloween is not a Christian holiday.

[Anonymous]

FCPS parent here. Our elementary school does not allow costumes or parties, which is fine, I understand, etc. But I wish they did, and am wistful as I read that other FCPS schools do have Halloween parades.

[Anonymous]

Our FCPS school seemed to allow costumes for kindergarteners ONLY. My daughter (who is in K) went to school dressed in her costume - she tells me that they went around to the other classes in their costumes and then had a party. It didn't sound like the other grades participated. Oh, and the called it storybook costume parade.

Seemed a little odd, but I guess it is a decision made by the principal.

I honestly don't care if my kid gets to wear her costume to school or not. It probably doesn't belong in school anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:teacher here (middle school). Tongue in cheek answers aside, it's just too much distraction during the school day, at least for the older grades. We have many (many) kids who would use this as an excuse to wear a) sexy/slutty (naughty nurse) or b) purposely controversial outfits (f/e, a boy wearing a strapless prom dress).

I personally don't see anything wrong with having little kids dress up on halloween-it's only one day, after all. But for older kids, it's not really a good idea.

When I taught 1st grade a few years ago (2007-2009), I had to deal with the inappropriate sexy costumes. I had 6 yo little girls show up to school in midriff baring Miley Cyrus costumes, a flapper complete with a fake cigarette in a cigarette holder, what I thought was a mini hooker or stripper (fishnet tights and a strapless, glittery tube top worn as a dress) only to be told that she was a super model. The little boys were things like the Grim Reaper! 5, 6 and 7 year olds! I never thought I'd want to censor Halloween until then.

[Anonymous]

Interesting thread. We are new to FCPS and our school does not allow costumes, I just assumed it was county-wide and not school by school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:heaven forbid kids have any fun at school.

Seriously.

I don't get this at all. Especially on a half day Monday.

[Anonymous]

when you were young, did kids wear 'movie' or 'storybook' character costumes? or only spooky/scary stuff?

not born and raised here and am curious.

[Anonymous]

Halloween is most definitely NOT a Christian holiday.

[Anonymous]

We are in FCPS and had the halloween party. It's lots of fun and excitement, but it can make kids downright crazy or maybe just mine. I think something simple at school like wear your costume and the teacher gives out halloween pencils and stickers and maybe someone brings in small cupcakes is fine, but sugar feasts seem to make entire classes bounce off walls. And then...they still have trick or treating that day or a few days later and whatever and that hypes them up and everyone seems to be giving out bigger stuff or more stuff. I just think if schools could keep is simple it would be fine, but over the top parties with endless goodies are too much IMO.

[Anonymous]

Because the religious right have ruined everything. They make the reactionary liberal left rant about gay marriage like braying donkeys and force us to take religion out of every corner of secular society just to balance against the craziness.