Our elementary school canceled Halloween

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is the guiding principle of MCPS to suck every bit of joy out of ES while simultaneously degrading the educational experience. They’re extraordinarily talented to that end.

This.

I have had kids in MCPS elementary schools for the past decade.

Our ES got rid of Halloween when my oldest was there. Teachers can’t even read a book about Halloween.

Halloween has always been an important part of American culture. I say that as an immigrant, who always lives the idea of American Halloween.

Yet another way we’re eroding away our coming culture in this country.

+1 also had immigrant parents and totally agree. It was nice when there were some holidays that it felt like we could all celebrate.

I'd heard Halloween wasn't widespread in the US until after WW2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Livid"? Okay but why? Yes it's fun, but not everyone doe's celebrate Halloween. For the kids who don't, 1-4 adults have to be held back in the gym to take those kids who don't and do some activity while the rest of the school parties. Dealing with the influx of parent volunteers or spectators is hectic for the front office. Dealing with parents who refuse to follow the rules for what kind of food can be brought in is annoying. Some room parents do a lot and that class gets a cake, a ton of candy, and goody bags, whereas the other classroom next door gets much less because that parent didn't know that next door would be a big bash.

I also loved watching the parades when my kids were younger. It's sad when a school cancels it, but they didn't cancel Halloween--your kid can still go trick or treating. They just canceled it IN school. I would be sad, not livid.

Cake and goody bags? People left behind on the gym? What on earth?

Our school has a “book character day” where you can dress up as your favorite character and bring the book that character is in. If you don’t have the book, the library will give you a copy. Then you parade outside for 10 min right after drop off, and that’s it. If you don’t want to wear a costume, no big deal.

It’s when Halloween becomes this ridiculously big thing that things get out of control.

This is what our school does, too, and I hate it. I can't afford separate costumes so they just wear what their Halloween costume (can't be scary or gory), and I cross my fingers none gets ruined so we can go trick-or-treating that evening. Even worse, this is when our school takes class photos so the only class photo we get all year (if we buy it) is one with kids in costume so you can't even tell who is who.

It's pretty easy to find a costume that you can argue is in a book. Everybody from anime characters to old fashioned pirates, or Dracula, princesses, etc. has a book.

Hey, I have a great idea -- let's let everyone dress up in various costumes, and if your kids want to dress up like characters in a book, they can do that! And if they want to dress up like characters from a movie they can do that, too. Also add candy corn-decorated cupcakes and a parade! How does that sound? Oh wait....

And the kids whose families don't have the money or time or interest in providing a costume...?

That’s a very paternalistic and judgmental assumption. Nonetheless it is easily rectified by having some masks or Halloween headbands at school.

My parents never made or bought us costumes. They had a “just be creative or make do” approach to such things. Kids are pretty creative and resourceful.

With Amazon, costumes are cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Livid"? Okay but why? Yes it's fun, but not everyone doe's celebrate Halloween. For the kids who don't, 1-4 adults have to be held back in the gym to take those kids who don't and do some activity while the rest of the school parties. Dealing with the influx of parent volunteers or spectators is hectic for the front office. Dealing with parents who refuse to follow the rules for what kind of food can be brought in is annoying. Some room parents do a lot and that class gets a cake, a ton of candy, and goody bags, whereas the other classroom next door gets much less because that parent didn't know that next door would be a big bash.

I also loved watching the parades when my kids were younger. It's sad when a school cancels it, but they didn't cancel Halloween--your kid can still go trick or treating. They just canceled it IN school. I would be sad, not livid.

Cake and goody bags? People left behind on the gym? What on earth?

Our school has a “book character day” where you can dress up as your favorite character and bring the book that character is in. If you don’t have the book, the library will give you a copy. Then you parade outside for 10 min right after drop off, and that’s it. If you don’t want to wear a costume, no big deal.

It’s when Halloween becomes this ridiculously big thing that things get out of control.

This is what our school does, too, and I hate it. I can't afford separate costumes so they just wear what their Halloween costume (can't be scary or gory), and I cross my fingers none gets ruined so we can go trick-or-treating that evening. Even worse, this is when our school takes class photos so the only class photo we get all year (if we buy it) is one with kids in costume so you can't even tell who is who.

It's pretty easy to find a costume that you can argue is in a book. Everybody from anime characters to old fashioned pirates, or Dracula, princesses, etc. has a book.

Hey, I have a great idea -- let's let everyone dress up in various costumes, and if your kids want to dress up like characters in a book, they can do that! And if they want to dress up like characters from a movie they can do that, too. Also add candy corn-decorated cupcakes and a parade! How does that sound? Oh wait....

And the kids whose families don't have the money or time or interest in providing a costume...?

That’s a very paternalistic and judgmental assumption. Nonetheless it is easily rectified by having some masks or Halloween headbands at school.

My parents never made or bought us costumes. They had a “just be creative or make do” approach to such things. Kids are pretty creative and resourceful.

With Amazon, costumes are cheap.

We were often able to fashion some great costumes from construction paper, string chicken wire and even a little duct tape.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Livid"? Okay but why? Yes it's fun, but not everyone doe's celebrate Halloween. For the kids who don't, 1-4 adults have to be held back in the gym to take those kids who don't and do some activity while the rest of the school parties. Dealing with the influx of parent volunteers or spectators is hectic for the front office. Dealing with parents who refuse to follow the rules for what kind of food can be brought in is annoying. Some room parents do a lot and that class gets a cake, a ton of candy, and goody bags, whereas the other classroom next door gets much less because that parent didn't know that next door would be a big bash.

I also loved watching the parades when my kids were younger. It's sad when a school cancels it, but they didn't cancel Halloween--your kid can still go trick or treating. They just canceled it IN school. I would be sad, not livid.

Cake and goody bags? People left behind on the gym? What on earth?

Our school has a “book character day” where you can dress up as your favorite character and bring the book that character is in. If you don’t have the book, the library will give you a copy. Then you parade outside for 10 min right after drop off, and that’s it. If you don’t want to wear a costume, no big deal.

It’s when Halloween becomes this ridiculously big thing that things get out of control.

This is what our school does, too, and I hate it. I can't afford separate costumes so they just wear what their Halloween costume (can't be scary or gory), and I cross my fingers none gets ruined so we can go trick-or-treating that evening. Even worse, this is when our school takes class photos so the only class photo we get all year (if we buy it) is one with kids in costume so you can't even tell who is who.

It's pretty easy to find a costume that you can argue is in a book. Everybody from anime characters to old fashioned pirates, or Dracula, princesses, etc. has a book.

Hey, I have a great idea -- let's let everyone dress up in various costumes, and if your kids want to dress up like characters in a book, they can do that! And if they want to dress up like characters from a movie they can do that, too. Also add candy corn-decorated cupcakes and a parade! How does that sound? Oh wait....

And the kids whose families don't have the money or time or interest in providing a costume...?

That’s a very paternalistic and judgmental assumption. Nonetheless it is easily rectified by having some masks or Halloween headbands at school.

My parents never made or bought us costumes. They had a “just be creative or make do” approach to such things. Kids are pretty creative and resourceful.

With Amazon, costumes are cheap.

When my child attended a Title I MCPS elementary school, they did not celebrate Halloween in school and requested that parents not send their children wearing costumes. They still had a 'fall festival' and provided autumnal activities for the kids to do. It was fine, because like most people, we celebrate Halloween outside of school hours anyway, at night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is the guiding principle of MCPS to suck every bit of joy out of ES while simultaneously degrading the educational experience. They’re extraordinarily talented to that end.

This.

I have had kids in MCPS elementary schools for the past decade.

Our ES got rid of Halloween when my oldest was there. Teachers can’t even read a book about Halloween.

Halloween has always been an important part of American culture. I say that as an immigrant, who always lives the idea of American Halloween.

Yet another way we’re eroding away our coming culture in this country.

+1 also had immigrant parents and totally agree. It was nice when there were some holidays that it felt like we could all celebrate.

I'd heard Halloween wasn't widespread in the US until after WW2.

When I was little I heard a relative born in 1925 talk about celebrating Halloween. In those days when they said "Trick or Treat" they meant it. He said they used to throw eggs at windows and put cars up on cinderblocks and take off their wheels when people didn't pass out candy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Livid"? Okay but why? Yes it's fun, but not everyone doe's celebrate Halloween. For the kids who don't, 1-4 adults have to be held back in the gym to take those kids who don't and do some activity while the rest of the school parties. Dealing with the influx of parent volunteers or spectators is hectic for the front office. Dealing with parents who refuse to follow the rules for what kind of food can be brought in is annoying. Some room parents do a lot and that class gets a cake, a ton of candy, and goody bags, whereas the other classroom next door gets much less because that parent didn't know that next door would be a big bash.

I also loved watching the parades when my kids were younger. It's sad when a school cancels it, but they didn't cancel Halloween--your kid can still go trick or treating. They just canceled it IN school. I would be sad, not livid.

Cake and goody bags? People left behind on the gym? What on earth?

Our school has a “book character day” where you can dress up as your favorite character and bring the book that character is in. If you don’t have the book, the library will give you a copy. Then you parade outside for 10 min right after drop off, and that’s it. If you don’t want to wear a costume, no big deal.

It’s when Halloween becomes this ridiculously big thing that things get out of control.

This is what our school does, too, and I hate it. I can't afford separate costumes so they just wear what their Halloween costume (can't be scary or gory), and I cross my fingers none gets ruined so we can go trick-or-treating that evening. Even worse, this is when our school takes class photos so the only class photo we get all year (if we buy it) is one with kids in costume so you can't even tell who is who.

It's pretty easy to find a costume that you can argue is in a book. Everybody from anime characters to old fashioned pirates, or Dracula, princesses, etc. has a book.

Hey, I have a great idea -- let's let everyone dress up in various costumes, and if your kids want to dress up like characters in a book, they can do that! And if they want to dress up like characters from a movie they can do that, too. Also add candy corn-decorated cupcakes and a parade! How does that sound? Oh wait....

And the kids whose families don't have the money or time or interest in providing a costume...?

That’s a very paternalistic and judgmental assumption. Nonetheless it is easily rectified by having some masks or Halloween headbands at school.

My parents never made or bought us costumes. They had a “just be creative or make do” approach to such things. Kids are pretty creative and resourceful.

With Amazon, costumes are cheap.

+1 My friends and I went as hobos one year by putting shaving cream and coffee grounds on our faces, and wearing our fathers' coats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Livid"? Okay but why? Yes it's fun, but not everyone doe's celebrate Halloween. For the kids who don't, 1-4 adults have to be held back in the gym to take those kids who don't and do some activity while the rest of the school parties. Dealing with the influx of parent volunteers or spectators is hectic for the front office. Dealing with parents who refuse to follow the rules for what kind of food can be brought in is annoying. Some room parents do a lot and that class gets a cake, a ton of candy, and goody bags, whereas the other classroom next door gets much less because that parent didn't know that next door would be a big bash.

I also loved watching the parades when my kids were younger. It's sad when a school cancels it, but they didn't cancel Halloween--your kid can still go trick or treating. They just canceled it IN school. I would be sad, not livid.

Cake and goody bags? People left behind on the gym? What on earth?

Our school has a “book character day” where you can dress up as your favorite character and bring the book that character is in. If you don’t have the book, the library will give you a copy. Then you parade outside for 10 min right after drop off, and that’s it. If you don’t want to wear a costume, no big deal.

It’s when Halloween becomes this ridiculously big thing that things get out of control.

This is what our school does, too, and I hate it. I can't afford separate costumes so they just wear what their Halloween costume (can't be scary or gory), and I cross my fingers none gets ruined so we can go trick-or-treating that evening. Even worse, this is when our school takes class photos so the only class photo we get all year (if we buy it) is one with kids in costume so you can't even tell who is who.

It's pretty easy to find a costume that you can argue is in a book. Everybody from anime characters to old fashioned pirates, or Dracula, princesses, etc. has a book.

Hey, I have a great idea -- let's let everyone dress up in various costumes, and if your kids want to dress up like characters in a book, they can do that! And if they want to dress up like characters from a movie they can do that, too. Also add candy corn-decorated cupcakes and a parade! How does that sound? Oh wait....

And the kids whose families don't have the money or time or interest in providing a costume...?

That’s a very paternalistic and judgmental assumption. Nonetheless it is easily rectified by having some masks or Halloween headbands at school.

My parents never made or bought us costumes. They had a “just be creative or make do” approach to such things. Kids are pretty creative and resourceful.

With Amazon, costumes are cheap.

When my child attended a Title I MCPS elementary school, they did not celebrate Halloween in school and requested that parents not send their children wearing costumes. They still had a 'fall festival' and provided autumnal activities for the kids to do. It was fine, because like most people, we celebrate Halloween outside of school hours anyway, at night.

We celebrate fall outside of school. Why bother with a fall festival.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Livid"? Okay but why? Yes it's fun, but not everyone doe's celebrate Halloween. For the kids who don't, 1-4 adults have to be held back in the gym to take those kids who don't and do some activity while the rest of the school parties. Dealing with the influx of parent volunteers or spectators is hectic for the front office. Dealing with parents who refuse to follow the rules for what kind of food can be brought in is annoying. Some room parents do a lot and that class gets a cake, a ton of candy, and goody bags, whereas the other classroom next door gets much less because that parent didn't know that next door would be a big bash.

I also loved watching the parades when my kids were younger. It's sad when a school cancels it, but they didn't cancel Halloween--your kid can still go trick or treating. They just canceled it IN school. I would be sad, not livid.

Cake and goody bags? People left behind on the gym? What on earth?

Our school has a “book character day” where you can dress up as your favorite character and bring the book that character is in. If you don’t have the book, the library will give you a copy. Then you parade outside for 10 min right after drop off, and that’s it. If you don’t want to wear a costume, no big deal.

It’s when Halloween becomes this ridiculously big thing that things get out of control.

This is what our school does, too, and I hate it. I can't afford separate costumes so they just wear what their Halloween costume (can't be scary or gory), and I cross my fingers none gets ruined so we can go trick-or-treating that evening. Even worse, this is when our school takes class photos so the only class photo we get all year (if we buy it) is one with kids in costume so you can't even tell who is who.

It's pretty easy to find a costume that you can argue is in a book. Everybody from anime characters to old fashioned pirates, or Dracula, princesses, etc. has a book.

Hey, I have a great idea -- let's let everyone dress up in various costumes, and if your kids want to dress up like characters in a book, they can do that! And if they want to dress up like characters from a movie they can do that, too. Also add candy corn-decorated cupcakes and a parade! How does that sound? Oh wait....

And the kids whose families don't have the money or time or interest in providing a costume...?

That’s a very paternalistic and judgmental assumption. Nonetheless it is easily rectified by having some masks or Halloween headbands at school.

My parents never made or bought us costumes. They had a “just be creative or make do” approach to such things. Kids are pretty creative and resourceful.

With Amazon, costumes are cheap.

When my child attended a Title I MCPS elementary school, they did not celebrate Halloween in school and requested that parents not send their children wearing costumes. They still had a 'fall festival' and provided autumnal activities for the kids to do. It was fine, because like most people, we celebrate Halloween outside of school hours anyway, at night.

The interesting thing is that celebrating the fall season is a rather paganistic origin of Halloween ;0)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is the guiding principle of MCPS to suck every bit of joy out of ES while simultaneously degrading the educational experience. They’re extraordinarily talented to that end.

This.

I have had kids in MCPS elementary schools for the past decade.

Our ES got rid of Halloween when my oldest was there. Teachers can’t even read a book about Halloween.

Halloween has always been an important part of American culture. I say that as an immigrant, who always lives the idea of American Halloween.

Yet another way we’re eroding away our coming culture in this country.

+1 also had immigrant parents and totally agree. It was nice when there were some holidays that it felt like we could all celebrate.

I'd heard Halloween wasn't widespread in the US until after WW2.

When I was little I heard a relative born in 1925 talk about celebrating Halloween. In those days when they said "Trick or Treat" they meant it. He said they used to throw eggs at windows and put cars up on cinderblocks and take off their wheels when people didn't pass out candy.

The greatest generation was hard core.

[Anonymous]

I hate this but it’s a uniquely stupid liberal movement. My sisters kids in Florida still get to celebrate no problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate this but it’s a uniquely stupid liberal movement. My sisters kids in Florida still get to celebrate no problem.

Agreed. My family in both TX and AZ are still allowed to celebrate Halloween and birthdays.

Our MCPS ES even got rid of birthday celebrations this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate this but it’s a uniquely stupid liberal movement. My sisters kids in Florida still get to celebrate no problem.

Agreed. My family in both TX and AZ are still allowed to celebrate Halloween and birthdays.

Our MCPS ES even got rid of birthday celebrations this year.

I'm genuinely surprised since those states are under the thrall of the Christian Taliban.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate this but it’s a uniquely stupid liberal movement. My sisters kids in Florida still get to celebrate no problem.

Agreed. My family in both TX and AZ are still allowed to celebrate Halloween and birthdays.

Our MCPS ES even got rid of birthday celebrations this year.

I'm genuinely surprised since those states are under the thrall of the Christian Taliban.

Do we know for sure it's the Christians who are against Halloween? I have the impression that it's being modified into "Fall Festival"/"book characters" or cancelled because of Muslims not liking it due to it being "pagan." If you Google "Halloween Muslims," you'll find a number of perspectives on this.
I'm not necessarily for or against having Halloween in school, just noting that it may not be the "usual crowd" who are against it, especially inibersl MoCo.

[Anonymous]

* in liberal MoCo.

[Anonymous]

This thread appears every year as if it were a new topic.