Our elementary school canceled Halloween

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Update: assuming this thread was started by someone from a greenwood, here’s an update. The not-Halloween-fall-party is on FRI the 28th (can’t hold it on the 31st) and the rule is you cannot serve any food/treats.

Way to suck the fun out of everything!

Curious who is leading this bizarre shift?

How long have you been at the school? Because the previous principal started this trend. Pre-COVID she eliminated food at parties, banned parents from attending (i’d be grudgingly agreed with her on this) except for 2 parents per class. I might be mistaken on this part but I think she only allowed two parties per year. Halloween and Valentines. The new principal went along with the old principles rules and didn’t change.

Multiple kids, many years. This is the 3rd Greenwood principal for our family.

I remember a small group of moms who basically controlled the principal whose last name started with a B. They were the ones who ended birthday treats under the auspices of allergies but the real reason was calories. One of those moms is long gone, and the others are no longer in the school.

The harvest party is new. We had Halloween last year…with treats.

I think some parents must have prompted this. It’s ridiculous. The fact that the harvest party isn’t even held on the 31st is very telling. That’s new btw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Update: assuming this thread was started by someone from a greenwood, here’s an update. The not-Halloween-fall-party is on FRI the 28th (can’t hold it on the 31st) and the rule is you cannot serve any food/treats.

Way to suck the fun out of everything!

Curious who is leading this bizarre shift?

How long have you been at the school? Because the previous principal started this trend. Pre-COVID she eliminated food at parties, banned parents from attending (i’d be grudgingly agreed with her on this) except for 2 parents per class. I might be mistaken on this part but I think she only allowed two parties per year. Halloween and Valentines. The new principal went along with the old principles rules and didn’t change.

Multiple kids, many years. This is the 3rd Greenwood principal for our family.

I remember a small group of moms who basically controlled the principal whose last name started with a B. They were the ones who ended birthday treats under the auspices of allergies but the real reason was calories. One of those moms is long gone, and the others are no longer in the school.

The harvest party is new. We had Halloween last year…with treats.

I think some parents must have prompted this. It’s ridiculous. The fact that the harvest party isn’t even held on the 31st is very telling. That’s new btw.

It’s possible we know each other. I have three kids to and have been under all three principals and I know exactly who you are talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Update: assuming this thread was started by someone from a greenwood, here’s an update. The not-Halloween-fall-party is on FRI the 28th (can’t hold it on the 31st) and the rule is you cannot serve any food/treats.

Way to suck the fun out of everything!

Curious who is leading this bizarre shift?

How long have you been at the school? Because the previous principal started this trend. Pre-COVID she eliminated food at parties, banned parents from attending (i’d be grudgingly agreed with her on this) except for 2 parents per class. I might be mistaken on this part but I think she only allowed two parties per year. Halloween and Valentines. The new principal went along with the old principles rules and didn’t change.

So the previous principal did allow Halloween and Valentines?

Will Valentines also be cancelled this year?

Does Greenwood allow birthdays? Our ES even got rid of any birthday treats this year.

Yes. Halloween part and parade, and a valentines party. Birthdays were announced on the PA system and you would get a pencil.

So, the new principal cancelled school Halloween this year, got it. Appears to be in line with the majority of MCPS elementary schools.

“ Halloween/Fall Festival Update from the Sherwood Cluster Principals
It is important to us that all students feel valued and included in our celebrations and school activities. It has become more clear through feedback and observation that our Halloween celebrations are not fully inclusive events at our schools. Therefore, Sherwood Cluster schools will hold a fall celebration for students, with class parties in every room, but eliminate the custom of Halloween costumes and parades. While we understand that this will be disappointing for some families, we appreciate your understanding of our goal of making all students feel welcome at all of our school events. “

Being ‘inclusive’ in MCPS means getting rid of long-standing, well-liked, fun American traditions. That’s sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Update: assuming this thread was started by someone from a greenwood, here’s an update. The not-Halloween-fall-party is on FRI the 28th (can’t hold it on the 31st) and the rule is you cannot serve any food/treats.

Way to suck the fun out of everything!

Curious who is leading this bizarre shift?

How long have you been at the school? Because the previous principal started this trend. Pre-COVID she eliminated food at parties, banned parents from attending (i’d be grudgingly agreed with her on this) except for 2 parents per class. I might be mistaken on this part but I think she only allowed two parties per year. Halloween and Valentines. The new principal went along with the old principles rules and didn’t change.

So the previous principal did allow Halloween and Valentines?

Will Valentines also be cancelled this year?

Does Greenwood allow birthdays? Our ES even got rid of any birthday treats this year.

Yes. Halloween part and parade, and a valentines party. Birthdays were announced on the PA system and you would get a pencil.

So, the new principal cancelled school Halloween this year, got it. Appears to be in line with the majority of MCPS elementary schools.

“ Halloween/Fall Festival Update from the Sherwood Cluster Principals
It is important to us that all students feel valued and included in our celebrations and school activities. It has become more clear through feedback and observation that our Halloween celebrations are not fully inclusive events at our schools. Therefore, Sherwood Cluster schools will hold a fall celebration for students, with class parties in every room, but eliminate the custom of Halloween costumes and parades. While we understand that this will be disappointing for some families, we appreciate your understanding of our goal of making all students feel welcome at all of our school events. “

Sounds like it is a cluster-wide decision. Our diverse Silver Spring ES got rid of Halloween at school years ago. Sounds like it has spread around the county.

[Anonymous]

It is my understanding that the no food/no treats policy is NOT a cluster wide decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is my understanding that the no food/no treats policy is NOT a cluster wide decision.

Can Sherwood Elem., Olney and Brooke Grove patents confirm?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is my understanding that the no food/no treats policy is NOT a cluster wide decision.

Can Sherwood Elem., Olney and Brooke Grove patents confirm?

Sorry- BG goes to Farquhar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is my understanding that the no food/no treats policy is NOT a cluster wide decision.

Can Sherwood Elem., Olney and Brooke Grove patents confirm?

Sorry- BG goes to Farquhar.

Brooke Grove and Farquhar are both part of the Sherwood cluster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Update: assuming this thread was started by someone from a greenwood, here’s an update. The not-Halloween-fall-party is on FRI the 28th (can’t hold it on the 31st) and the rule is you cannot serve any food/treats.

Way to suck the fun out of everything!

Curious who is leading this bizarre shift?

Idiotic. These people are teaching our children? What twisted nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is my understanding that the no food/no treats policy is NOT a cluster wide decision.

Can Sherwood Elem., Olney and Brooke Grove patents confirm?

Sorry- BG goes to Farquhar.

Brooke Grove and Farquhar are both part of the Sherwood cluster.

I forget if they go to Blake or just half. Either way, I’m curious to hear from other parents in the cluster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Update: assuming this thread was started by someone from a greenwood, here’s an update. The not-Halloween-fall-party is on FRI the 28th (can’t hold it on the 31st) and the rule is you cannot serve any food/treats.

Way to suck the fun out of everything!

Curious who is leading this bizarre shift?

How long have you been at the school? Because the previous principal started this trend. Pre-COVID she eliminated food at parties, banned parents from attending (i’d be grudgingly agreed with her on this) except for 2 parents per class. I might be mistaken on this part but I think she only allowed two parties per year. Halloween and Valentines. The new principal went along with the old principles rules and didn’t change.

One of our schools changed Valentines Day to Friendship Day. Go f off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Update: assuming this thread was started by someone from a greenwood, here’s an update. The not-Halloween-fall-party is on FRI the 28th (can’t hold it on the 31st) and the rule is you cannot serve any food/treats.

Way to suck the fun out of everything!

Curious who is leading this bizarre shift?

How long have you been at the school? Because the previous principal started this trend. Pre-COVID she eliminated food at parties, banned parents from attending (i’d be grudgingly agreed with her on this) except for 2 parents per class. I might be mistaken on this part but I think she only allowed two parties per year. Halloween and Valentines. The new principal went along with the old principles rules and didn’t change.

So the previous principal did allow Halloween and Valentines?

Will Valentines also be cancelled this year?

Does Greenwood allow birthdays? Our ES even got rid of any birthday treats this year.

Yes. Halloween part and parade, and a valentines party. Birthdays were announced on the PA system and you would get a pencil.

So, the new principal cancelled school Halloween this year, got it. Appears to be in line with the majority of MCPS elementary schools.

“ Halloween/Fall Festival Update from the Sherwood Cluster Principals
It is important to us that all students feel valued and included in our celebrations and school activities. It has become more clear through feedback and observation that our Halloween celebrations are not fully inclusive events at our schools. Therefore, Sherwood Cluster schools will hold a fall celebration for students, with class parties in every room, but eliminate the custom of Halloween costumes and parades. While we understand that this will be disappointing for some families, we appreciate your understanding of our goal of making all students feel welcome at all of our school events. “

Why is it okay to celebrate pagan rituals like Fall Festival? Are we doing to let our kids bow down to a golden calf too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Update: assuming this thread was started by someone from a greenwood, here’s an update. The not-Halloween-fall-party is on FRI the 28th (can’t hold it on the 31st) and the rule is you cannot serve any food/treats.

Way to suck the fun out of everything!

Curious who is leading this bizarre shift?

Are pumpkins allowed? They're technically not a food in this context, but they may be offensive to some of the zealots that only tolerate their own superstitions.

Pumpkins are allowed (Fall) but jack-o-lanterns are not (Halloween).

What if some kids don't like and/or are allergic to pumpkins? How is this inclusive? Celebrating Fall is entirely inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

Serious question: if pumpkins are allowed but jack-o-lanterns 🎃 are not, I would it be permissible to give each kid a small fully intact pumpkin and let them paint it or color it with sharpies? Could they draw a face? Decorate with stickers?

At what point does the pumpkin become the Devil’s tool?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: if pumpkins are allowed but jack-o-lanterns 🎃 are not, I would it be permissible to give each kid a small fully intact pumpkin and let them paint it or color it with sharpies? Could they draw a face? Decorate with stickers?

At what point does the pumpkin become the Devil’s tool?

This board has some crazies so it’ll be a good barometer for your question. I think you’ll hear that pumpkins aren’t equitable and/or are the devils’s work, so they need to be banned regardless.