Killjoys cancelling Halloween--is this the new normal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school doesn't celebrate, because lots of kids didn't come to school when it was celebrated in the past for religious and cultural reasons. We do celebrate Halloween, but it seems totally appropriate to me. If a big part of the community doesn't want to take part of it, don't make it a community celebration. It's not like there's not plenty of other ways and times to celebrate Halloween.

My kids learn about lots of different cultures by having celebrations in school that are the traditions of the various festivals. Our family doesn't celebrate those at home, but why shouldn't my kids learn about it at school? How is Halloween different?

The traditions of Halloween in the US are to

1. go trick-or-treating
2. egg/TP/set fire to buildings
3. wear "Sexy [Whatever]" costumes and get drunk on bar crawls

You want your kids to do those things in school?

See what 12:05 posted. That is what we like about Halloween. And number 1 from your list.

That's great, because you can do that. Halloween is not canceled.

The OP should have written killjoys cancelling Halloween at school then.

But Halloween isn't at school, just like Christmas isn't at school.

Christmas is a holiday, yet we have a party. Most of the time Halloween is on a weekday. Our school does the "Holiday" party week before Christmas. A "Fall" party before Thanksgiving. If they can do that, then they could do the "Pumpkin" or "Costume" party then. Why take out the one event kids love?

We’ve never had a Christmas party or holiday party in mcps. We had Halloween and Valentine’s Day. That was it.

I know that whole pesky separation of church and state thingie is annoying. It's too bad we don't live in a theocracy like Iran!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This article is a perfect description of the community at my school:
https://apple.news/ASigJ-vIUQSSs0NuC2HnlNA

“ I was born in Nigeria and raised in the church, specifically in the sanctified and tongues-speaking Pentecostal denomination, so celebrating Halloween was especially unrealistic for me. My parents were the anti- “any appearance of evil” type Christians, and naturally, Halloween fell into that category. Thus, my siblings and I became the kids who never dressed up for the school costume party. We were the kids who had to go sit in the library when the class was popcorn-reading Harry Potter. The kids whose mother handed out scripture mints at the front door. Thankfully, we weren’t alone — we were part of a community of young people for whom Halloween and all of its festivities were a no-go — so that meant that the day itself was never a complete wash. The rest of the world had trick-or-treating, jack-o-lanterns, and costume parties. We had Hallelujah Night.”

That's just sad. All the parents are doing is setting their kids up to rebel against such unrealistic strictures. Kids want to have fun with their friends and partake in social activities, like Halloween or a "fall festival."

No costumes or candy for their kids? Just awful. Don't parents realize they are damaging their kids when they socially isolate them like this?

I'm fine with restrictions on the spooky/spiritual elements of Halloween in the schools. But let the kids wear costumes, celebrate, and enjoy a bit of candy one afternoon. The entire point of doing it at school is that kids don't all live in the same neighborhood. Some kids live far afield and school districts can be quite large. They want to enjoy with their school friends.

DP. Parents are DAMAGING their kids when they don't let their kids dress up for Halloween and trick-or-treat? Oh boy.

Did you watch the video that was in the link that person posted? Yes, you are damaging your kids when you isolate them from what their classmates are doing. A hallelujah night instead of trick or treating? Sure, it is so imaginative for the kids.

You're an idiot

So are you. For being a killjoy. I bet you did not see the video. I bet you would like your child to be the only one in media when the rest of the kids are at the parade. And thanks to idiots like you and your agenda that Halloween is a pagan ritual, rest of the kids are denied that fun.

Like I said, you're an idiot and an imbecile if you and your kids need Halloween to have fun.

[Anonymous]

Only a woke BLM GBLTQ type thing can be celebrated. No normal activities like Holloween

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the local Halloween traditions include:

1. Halloween decorations and art projects at school.

2. Costumes, parade and class party.

3. Halloween decorations and art projects at home.

4. Trip to the pumpkin patch in early to mid October.

5. Pumpkin carving.

6. Trick or treating.

7. Neighborhood Halloween parties.

The Indian PP. What you posted is what my kids look forward to. Not egging or TPing houses. Some people think that those from other cultures are the cause of this cancelling Halloween. It is not true. School systems just want an excuse to get rid of this. Implying that Muslims and Hindus are against this is just a new spin. My Hindu family loves Halloween just as much as anyone else

I thought it was mostly Christians who had issues with Halloween being sacrilegeous?

[Anonymous]

At our ES, generally it was the hispanic kids who did not participate in the parties. I would have preferred a fall party so they could have attended. Instead they had to read books in the library. We were not even allowed to give them a cupcake.

[Anonymous]

Room parent here who ran the "fall party" at kids' ES. It was NO DIFFERENT than the typical Halloween party, except everyone could attend this year. We had crafts, fun foods, games, music. It's really dumb to see folks getting upset about something that is so minor. You choose the decorations with leaves and pumpkins instead of skeletons and ghosts. Who cares? None of the kids did, and it felt nice to know some weren't shuttled off to the library while watching longingly at the setup for a party in their own classroom they could not attend. Halloween has nothing to do with curriculum or learning, and my kids had a blast celebrating it the rest of the weekend. Absolutely the right call for MCPS to take it out of the schools!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Room parent here who ran the "fall party" at kids' ES. It was NO DIFFERENT than the typical Halloween party, except everyone could attend this year. We had crafts, fun foods, games, music. It's really dumb to see folks getting upset about something that is so minor. You choose the decorations with leaves and pumpkins instead of skeletons and ghosts. Who cares? None of the kids did, and it felt nice to know some weren't shuttled off to the library while watching longingly at the setup for a party in their own classroom they could not attend. Halloween has nothing to do with curriculum or learning, and my kids had a blast celebrating it the rest of the weekend. Absolutely the right call for MCPS to take it out of the schools!

Thank you, PP. Well said and similar situation at my kids’ school.

I find the whole whining about holidays and what they are called and the implicit bigotry associated (it’s the Jews and Muslims who won’t let us just say “Merry Christmas”; it’s xyz who won’t let us say “Happy Halloween”) so nasty and mean spirited.

Kids don’t care what the party is called. They get that they are having a party and able to celebrate at school and with their friends and that’s what’s important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Room parent here who ran the "fall party" at kids' ES. It was NO DIFFERENT than the typical Halloween party, except everyone could attend this year. We had crafts, fun foods, games, music. It's really dumb to see folks getting upset about something that is so minor. You choose the decorations with leaves and pumpkins instead of skeletons and ghosts. Who cares? None of the kids did, and it felt nice to know some weren't shuttled off to the library while watching longingly at the setup for a party in their own classroom they could not attend. Halloween has nothing to do with curriculum or learning, and my kids had a blast celebrating it the rest of the weekend. Absolutely the right call for MCPS to take it out of the schools!

Thank you, PP. Well said and similar situation at my kids’ school.

I find the whole whining about holidays and what they are called and the implicit bigotry associated (it’s the Jews and Muslims who won’t let us just say “Merry Christmas”; it’s xyz who won’t let us say “Happy Halloween”) so nasty and mean spirited.

Kids don’t care what the party is called. They get that they are having a party and able to celebrate at school and with their friends and that’s what’s important.

Maybe. But there is definitely a double standard.

There are plenty of things that the schools system allows/endorses that I don’t agree with. Yet, why are those allowed.

I think the issue that many of us have is that MCPS accommodates certain groups, while ignoring others.

[Anonymous]

Our ES used to do opt-out Halloween parties and an outdoor neighborhood costume parade before covid. This year they went "fall festival" (I think because we have a significant opt-out percentage--not a majority, but appreciable). My kids are not little littles, and they came home talking all about their "Halloween parties." The messaging switch was totally lost on them because they had treats and games at school with their friends. And even if there had been a costume parade, it would have been canceled anyway because of the storms on Friday.

I'm personally pro-Halloween, but I like our ES so much that I'm willing to go with the flow and offer support even when I disagree with things like this. Our principal and admin make great decisions about teaching and taking care of our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Room parent here who ran the "fall party" at kids' ES. It was NO DIFFERENT than the typical Halloween party, except everyone could attend this year. We had crafts, fun foods, games, music. It's really dumb to see folks getting upset about something that is so minor. You choose the decorations with leaves and pumpkins instead of skeletons and ghosts. Who cares? None of the kids did, and it felt nice to know some weren't shuttled off to the library while watching longingly at the setup for a party in their own classroom they could not attend. Halloween has nothing to do with curriculum or learning, and my kids had a blast celebrating it the rest of the weekend. Absolutely the right call for MCPS to take it out of the schools!

How did you have food when masking is still a thing?

[Anonymous]

My kid's class has a scheduled snack during the school day in the classroom, even though lunch is outdoors. I'm not too happy about the unmasked eating indoors, but at least snack is faster than lunch would be. We're also planning to get child vaccines as fast as we can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This article is a perfect description of the community at my school:
https://apple.news/ASigJ-vIUQSSs0NuC2HnlNA

“ I was born in Nigeria and raised in the church, specifically in the sanctified and tongues-speaking Pentecostal denomination, so celebrating Halloween was especially unrealistic for me. My parents were the anti- “any appearance of evil” type Christians, and naturally, Halloween fell into that category. Thus, my siblings and I became the kids who never dressed up for the school costume party. We were the kids who had to go sit in the library when the class was popcorn-reading Harry Potter. The kids whose mother handed out scripture mints at the front door. Thankfully, we weren’t alone — we were part of a community of young people for whom Halloween and all of its festivities were a no-go — so that meant that the day itself was never a complete wash. The rest of the world had trick-or-treating, jack-o-lanterns, and costume parties. We had Hallelujah Night.”

That's just sad. All the parents are doing is setting their kids up to rebel against such unrealistic strictures. Kids want to have fun with their friends and partake in social activities, like Halloween or a "fall festival."

No costumes or candy for their kids? Just awful. Don't parents realize they are damaging their kids when they socially isolate them like this?

I'm fine with restrictions on the spooky/spiritual elements of Halloween in the schools. But let the kids wear costumes, celebrate, and enjoy a bit of candy one afternoon. The entire point of doing it at school is that kids don't all live in the same neighborhood. Some kids live far afield and school districts can be quite large. They want to enjoy with their school friends.

DP. Parents are DAMAGING their kids when they don't let their kids dress up for Halloween and trick-or-treat? Oh boy.

Did you watch the video that was in the link that person posted? Yes, you are damaging your kids when you isolate them from what their classmates are doing. A hallelujah night instead of trick or treating? Sure, it is so imaginative for the kids.

You're an idiot

So are you. For being a killjoy. I bet you did not see the video. I bet you would like your child to be the only one in media when the rest of the kids are at the parade. And thanks to idiots like you and your agenda that Halloween is a pagan ritual, rest of the kids are denied that fun.

Like I said, you're an idiot and an imbecile if you and your kids need Halloween to have fun.

That's right. Fun should only be had at BLM protests or rallies for the environment!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Room parent here who ran the "fall party" at kids' ES. It was NO DIFFERENT than the typical Halloween party, except everyone could attend this year. We had crafts, fun foods, games, music. It's really dumb to see folks getting upset about something that is so minor. You choose the decorations with leaves and pumpkins instead of skeletons and ghosts. Who cares? None of the kids did, and it felt nice to know some weren't shuttled off to the library while watching longingly at the setup for a party in their own classroom they could not attend. Halloween has nothing to do with curriculum or learning, and my kids had a blast celebrating it the rest of the weekend. Absolutely the right call for MCPS to take it out of the schools!

Thank you, PP. Well said and similar situation at my kids’ school.

I find the whole whining about holidays and what they are called and the implicit bigotry associated (it’s the Jews and Muslims who won’t let us just say “Merry Christmas”; it’s xyz who won’t let us say “Happy Halloween”) so nasty and mean spirited.

Kids don’t care what the party is called. They get that they are having a party and able to celebrate at school and with their friends and that’s what’s important.

Maybe. But there is definitely a double standard.

There are plenty of things that the schools system allows/endorses that I don’t agree with. Yet, why are those allowed.

I think the issue that many of us have is that MCPS accommodates certain groups, while ignoring others.

The difference here is that the parents were opting their kids out of the Halloween activities. They didn't say "stop doing it," they just exercised their right to excuse their kid from an optional activity based on a sincerely held religious belief. Eventually, so many kids were opting out that the school responded to its community.

If you don't agree with some optional activites, opt your kids out. If enough families are like minded, the school will reevaluate. No double standard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Maybe. But there is definitely a double standard.

There are plenty of things that the schools system allows/endorses that I don’t agree with. Yet, why are those allowed.

I think the issue that many of us have is that MCPS accommodates certain groups, while ignoring others.

You mean, why does MCPS ignore the "My child must have a Halloween party and Halloween costume parade during class time in school!" group?

[Anonymous]

Our school had no Halloween party or Fall party. Something would have been better than nothing at all.