Killjoys cancelling Halloween--is this the new normal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school no longer does Halloween because some families wouldn't allow their kids to come to school. So now there's nothing Halloween related at all but the families still won't send their kids to school. It seems kind of sad for everyone.

It can take a year for the word to get out that the school was serious. My school has not celebrated Halloween for six or seven years. Not even Halloween themed worksheets are allowed. Religiously-opposed parents eventually trusted they could send their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school no longer does Halloween because some families wouldn't allow their kids to come to school. So now there's nothing Halloween related at all but the families still won't send their kids to school. It seems kind of sad for everyone.

It can take a year for the word to get out that the school was serious. My school has not celebrated Halloween for six or seven years. Not even Halloween themed worksheets are allowed. Religiously-opposed parents eventually trusted they could send their kids.

It's been years. They won't come.

[Anonymous]

Are elementary still having their parade, no canceling here

[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.

The Jehovah's Witnesses have been trying to get our school to ban Halloween for years.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone looked at the weather? It’s supposed to pour Friday. Unless schools are moving their parades inside or to another day none of them are happening.

[Anonymous]

On the one hand, NBD.

On the other hand, this sort of dramatic change (canceling a school tradition that the overwhelming majority enjoys) could prompt unanticipated reactions that go beyond the event and school.

A pp was correct: canceling traditions that bring people together and foster a shared identity through a shared experience is dangerous. Instead of equity, it actually shines a light on the subculture that is promoting change. That could create a school backlash. It could also irk the shrinking majority in communities that are rapidly diversifying. That irritation can be picked up for dangerous political manipulation to fan the flames of racism.

Separately, I’m struck by this:

We are seemingly making a change for religious beliefs (albeit misguided ones given that American Halloween is not a religious celebration). Why is mcps allowing religious beliefs of a sub population to dictate school activities? Slippery slope.

I’m hoping the culture wars pendulum swings the other way soon. I’d rather embrace diversity and celebrate everything than take away all cultural activities, holidays, etc. I’d much rather watch a winter holiday musical performance that includes songs from various beliefs and cultures than one that showcases nothing holiday-related.

Again, I think we are entering dangerous territory if the solution is to avoid everything. I’d rather highlight the different cultures, teach kids about it, and celebrate together. Instead, we continue to draw unnecessary lines and unintentionally “other” minority groups. It’s not cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone looked at the weather? It’s supposed to pour Friday. Unless schools are moving their parades inside or to another day none of them are happening.

We’re not just talking about parades. Schools are banning any reference to halloween: no books, no decorations, no art projects, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On the one hand, NBD.

On the other hand, this sort of dramatic change (canceling a school tradition that the overwhelming majority enjoys) could prompt unanticipated reactions that go beyond the event and school.

On the third hand, it's not a dramatic change. Unless, of course, you choose to make it one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

The Jehovah's Witnesses have been trying to get our school to ban Halloween for years.

I've been trying for years to get then to stop knocking on our door!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On the one hand, NBD.

On the other hand, this sort of dramatic change (canceling a school tradition that the overwhelming majority enjoys) could prompt unanticipated reactions that go beyond the event and school.

On the third hand, it's not a dramatic change. Unless, of course, you choose to make it one.

If being told you aren’t allowed to mention halloween, can’t read halloween books, can’t do halloween related activities (including coloring a picture of a pumpkin), etc. doesn’t seem dramatic to you, then I guess we can agree to disagree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On the one hand, NBD.

On the other hand, this sort of dramatic change (canceling a school tradition that the overwhelming majority enjoys) could prompt unanticipated reactions that go beyond the event and school.

On the third hand, it's not a dramatic change. Unless, of course, you choose to make it one.

If being told you aren’t allowed to mention halloween, can’t read halloween books, can’t do halloween related activities (including coloring a picture of a pumpkin), etc. doesn’t seem dramatic to you, then I guess we can agree to disagree.

Who has told you that you aren't allowed to color a picture of a pumpkin?

[Anonymous]

I live in a neighborhood that's heavily Indian. Very few of the kids ToT.

We buy just 1 bag of candy now and have tons leftover. Most leave their lights off because they don't participate.

Anyway, back when it was still common to have Halloween celebrations in school, the bus stops were pretty empty. Most of the Indian kids didn't come to school those days because they didn't participate.

IMO, I'm fine with not having Halloween celebrations in school. The one day celebration always came with multiple days of distraction beforehand. Making posters for the parade in the days leading up to it the day, the overall excitement the day before meant that not as much teaching was happening, and again, if the holiday fell on a weekday, the day after was full of kids hopped up on candy and not paying attention.

I'm much happier that schools are getting away from making big deals out of holidays. It just distracts from teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in a neighborhood that's heavily Indian. Very few of the kids ToT.

We buy just 1 bag of candy now and have tons leftover. Most leave their lights off because they don't participate.

Anyway, back when it was still common to have Halloween celebrations in school, the bus stops were pretty empty. Most of the Indian kids didn't come to school those days because they didn't participate.

IMO, I'm fine with not having Halloween celebrations in school. The one day celebration always came with multiple days of distraction beforehand. Making posters for the parade in the days leading up to it the day, the overall excitement the day before meant that not as much teaching was happening, and again, if the holiday fell on a weekday, the day after was full of kids hopped up on candy and not paying attention.

I'm much happier that schools are getting away from making big deals out of holidays. It just distracts from teaching.

It just gets shifted to valentine's day and st Patrick's day. I was a kids, people just wore green on St Patrick's Day. Now it's a whole thing where you're supposed to make a leprechaun trap

[Anonymous]

I'm hearing that some schools are banning all pagan holiday celebration - Halloween, Valentines, and St Patty's Day.

This is legit bananas.

[Anonymous]

Someone posted a new thread this morning about their principal canceling Halloween at school because it’s pagan, and someone else commented that Christian fundamentalists who vote R are the only ones who believe this.

Sigh.

I’m here to educate you.

Jehovahs Witnesses don’t celebrate Halloween.

Per this thread, neither do many Indians.

Certain baptists including black Americans and newly arrived Latinos don’t.

Etc.

We are talking about mcps. We must acknowledge the shifting demographics of the county and the schools.

^^^
That is what is driving this along with well-intended efforts to be inclusive.

But, the unintended consequence is that our mainstream majority in the county (which is still white liberals) will be irked by this, and conservatives will use this and other similar changes to fuel racism and xenophobia.

^^^
That is what everyone should be concerned about.

MCPS: if you are listening, please step back and look at the big picture.

MoCo: if you are listening, please step back and look at the long game. You’ve already lost a significant number of taxpayers who have bailed for a variety of reasons.