Our elementary school canceled Halloween

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's not just the muslims, it's the pentacostal Christians and Ethiopian Orthodox Christians

Also my kid on the spectrum who is terrified of people in costumes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's not just the muslims, it's the pentacostal Christians and Ethiopian Orthodox Christians

Also my kid on the spectrum who is terrified of people in costumes.

I'm afraid of people dressed as clowns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do schools need to celebrate Halloween? Neighborhood gatherings should suffice.

I think it boils down to whether or not you think Halloween is a part of our shared culture.

I sort of get the objections. There are very few things that unite as a community. In some ways that's good; each culture is respected and given the space to celebrate their traditions. In other ways, its not great. There's less and less that unite.

Halloween is a wholesome, non-religious activity that is pretty unique to our culture. Not only that, its fun. Some of my favorite memories as both a kid and an adult are the Halloween parades through school and the Halloween parties.

Layer on top of that the past 2+ years for our kids, and it just seems like people are twisting the knife. They've had so much taken from them, that its seem unnecessary to take this as well.

I agree with all of the above. Great post.

For all those who are dismissing concerns: it wasn't that long ago that schools did routinely celebrate Halloween. This change is notable to many kids. My DD is in fifth grade now and remembers well the Halloween celebrations she had in K - Second, pre-pandemic. She's (age-appropriately) disappointed that they don't dress up anymore. I'm of the mindset that more fun for our kids is better than less right now, given the pandemic and how restrictive MCPS has been.

Agree with both of these comments.

And I’m still not seeing a single good, convincing reason to cancel these Halloween celebrations. Not interested in catering to any kind of religious zealots and cancelling fun school events for our kids for no good reason.

[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.

What? You mean they don't get to walk to the office to pick up their free pencil??????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do schools need to celebrate Halloween? Neighborhood gatherings should suffice.

This seems like anti-Islam dog whistle where the OP has successfully spread their sense of grievance. I love Halloween too but my kids are fine celebrating it at home.

[Anonymous]

I know many will say I'm overreacting but this does make me sad for the kids.

My DD is in 5th so she remembers the parades and parties and seeing her classmates in costume.

and I, as a parent, would use a vacation day to come early and help, to set up the party, to take pictures of the parade for the parents that couldn't attend.

She called it her favorite day of the year.

And yes, I understand we can (and do) ToT at home. But you know that skipping math or language to have a party makes it extra special for the kids.

And after all they've been through. It's just sad.

All the people saying stuff like "the kids will be fine" or "my kids don't seem to mind" are missing the point.

The point of childhood (and life) is to find joy. Of course the kids will be fine without a school parade. But that doesn't mean its not worth doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do schools need to celebrate Halloween? Neighborhood gatherings should suffice.

This seems like anti-Islam dog whistle where the OP has successfully spread their sense of grievance. I love Halloween too but my kids are fine celebrating it at home.

Exactly, grievance politics is big with the right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:* in liberal MoCo.

Although moco may lean left, that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of right-wing radicals. Just read this board for a few days, and you'll see what I mean. For example, there are posts by anti-maskers and people who want to overturn the board of election over some minor program.

Lean left?

MoCo doesn't lean left. It's completely fallen over face-first nose-dive left.

What you call right-wing radicals are just moderate everyday people in the rest of the country.

Moderate, everyday people don't want to cancel Halloween in schools, though. MCPS is crazy liberal and that's why they are taking that radical, minority opinion of Halloween into consideration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a parent who did the parties we had parents come but not help. Getting 20+ kids in and out of costumes, fed and some games as a nightmare when at best you had an hour. If you are going to complain, make sure you are there to help.

I did them, too. Loved it. Also loved Valentine's Day parties. Lots of hard work but enjoyable. I guess it's not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

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.

Who cares about the kids who don’t? The rest of the school has to be held hostage to their freakish ways? This is just another example of right-wing, Christian influence in our schools. I am sick of right wingers and their cancel culture.

Right wingers? Many Hispanics don't celebrate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do schools need to celebrate Halloween? Neighborhood gatherings should suffice.

I think it boils down to whether or not you think Halloween is a part of our shared culture.

I sort of get the objections. There are very few things that unite as a community. In some ways that's good; each culture is respected and given the space to celebrate their traditions. In other ways, its not great. There's less and less that unite.

Halloween is a wholesome, non-religious activity that is pretty unique to our culture. Not only that, its fun. Some of my favorite memories as both a kid and an adult are the Halloween parades through school and the Halloween parties.

Layer on top of that the past 2+ years for our kids, and it just seems like people are twisting the knife. They've had so much taken from them, that its seem unnecessary to take this as well.

Except that Halloween is a religious holiday. First, it may incorporates pagan traditions but it is based on All Hallows Eve, a Christian holiday that is still celebrated. We went to mass dutifully every November 1. You can argue that Halloween is not religious all you want but the truth is, it’s a western Christian concept. Not everyone wants to celebrate in school, times are changing and we as a society are shifting away from Halloween in school. I will still be celebrating at home but at school my kids can dress up at book character day instead.

A lot of people object to books these days. Are we going to have a list of acceptable books that kids can choose from?

Halloween is NOT a religious holiday. I don't care if it's a "Western Christian concept." I know damn well what Halloween is, without having to know Thing One or Thing Two about its origins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All Saints Day on 11/1 has nothing to do with Halloween.

With your ridiculous equating of the two, you must also believe that Cabbage Night is similarly a religious holiday?

Cabbage Night is a filthy paegan fertility celebration. That's where Cabbage Patch Kids come from. Ban it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do schools need to celebrate Halloween? Neighborhood gatherings should suffice.

I think it boils down to whether or not you think Halloween is a part of our shared culture.

I sort of get the objections. There are very few things that unite as a community. In some ways that's good; each culture is respected and given the space to celebrate their traditions. In other ways, its not great. There's less and less that unite.

Halloween is a wholesome, non-religious activity that is pretty unique to our culture. Not only that, its fun. Some of my favorite memories as both a kid and an adult are the Halloween parades through school and the Halloween parties.

Layer on top of that the past 2+ years for our kids, and it just seems like people are twisting the knife. They've had so much taken from them, that its seem unnecessary to take this as well.

Except that Halloween is a religious holiday. First, it may incorporates pagan traditions but it is based on All Hallows Eve, a Christian holiday that is still celebrated. We went to mass dutifully every November 1. You can argue that Halloween is not religious all you want but the truth is, it’s a western Christian concept. Not everyone wants to celebrate in school, times are changing and we as a society are shifting away from Halloween in school. I will still be celebrating at home but at school my kids can dress up at book character day instead.

A lot of people object to books these days. Are we going to have a list of acceptable books that kids can choose from?

Halloween is NOT a religious holiday. I don't care if it's a "Western Christian concept." I know damn well what Halloween is, without having to know Thing One or Thing Two about its origins.

Yep, the people asking to have books banned are also doing so for religious reasons.

Why are the progressives in MoCo opposed to book banning, but fine with cancelling Halloween in school?

[Anonymous]

OMG, say it isn't so! Next, will they cancel Christmas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG, say it isn't so! Next, will they cancel Christmas?

Haven't had Christmas in elementary school in years!