Our elementary school canceled Halloween

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our elementary school decided to cancel our Halloween parade and is not allowing the kids to wear costumes. The decision was made because other elementary schools in our cluster have decided not to celebrate.

When majority of the community is for celebrating Halloween, why do principals hide behind a few irrational people to make this kind of decision? Needless to say, our elementary community is livid. Is there anyway we can change the principal’s mind at this point?

Ours is having a parade

Are you in MCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom was on the extreme side of extreme, she would also pull me out of a fall festival because in her pov it’s just Halloween with a different name.

What religion? What ethnicity? Where did you grow up?

I’m surprised this is such a big issue in mcps beyond newcomers. I have family in TX who are surrounded by Latinos who celebrate Halloween, but they aren’t newcomers—they are 2nd or 3rd generation.

I posted in the first few pages. I’m Latina and my parents were extreme Evangelists as in not cutting your hair and no pants variety. The majority of Latinos celebrated Halloween just not The extreme branches of Christianity. my family immigrated here when I was two, I grew up in Silver Spring and went to MCPS. I said in the first pages and I’ll say it again, I don’t think the county should bow down and conform to religious extremism. Frankly, I see that as dangerous.

Although they have changed over the years, my parents opposed any LGBT books, sex Ed (I was also pulled out for this), any books about magic (no Harry Potter for me), school dances. The list goes on and on!

I live in Silver Spring. My neighbors are Christians from Guatemala and fit this description.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom was on the extreme side of extreme, she would also pull me out of a fall festival because in her pov it’s just Halloween with a different name.

What religion? What ethnicity? Where did you grow up?

I’m surprised this is such a big issue in mcps beyond newcomers. I have family in TX who are surrounded by Latinos who celebrate Halloween, but they aren’t newcomers—they are 2nd or 3rd generation.

I posted in the first few pages. I’m Latina and my parents were extreme Evangelists as in not cutting your hair and no pants variety. The majority of Latinos celebrated Halloween just not The extreme branches of Christianity. my family immigrated here when I was two, I grew up in Silver Spring and went to MCPS. I said in the first pages and I’ll say it again, I don’t think the county should bow down and conform to religious extremism. Frankly, I see that as dangerous.

Although they have changed over the years, my parents opposed any LGBT books, sex Ed (I was also pulled out for this), any books about magic (no Harry Potter for me), school dances. The list goes on and on!

I came to MoCo with my parents from El Salvador in the '80s. My family is very very religious (Catholic) and my parents love Halloween. It was something I was so excited to experience when I started school in the US. I have seen the waves of Central American immigrants change as more evangelicals from the US go down there on "mission" trips. The no pants, long hair evangelicos do not celebrate Halloween, but they are also (in general) not requesting it be removed from school. Yet they are the ones that will be/are being blamed for it. I have many people in my circle who are part of this evangelical community who keep their kids home from school on Halloween, do not allow celebrating, etc. But they do not object to others celebrating it (we're all going to hell, but I guess that's not their problem lol). The culture of most of central America means that parents would never, ever make a "demand" to the school, as teachers are highly respected and recognized as experts. Parents are not welcome to give their input.

The way I see it, well-meaning people are trying to be inclusive and don't want kids to feel left out. But the parents of those kids don't care if they feel left out. Their faith is more important, and it means getting left out of stuff. They want their kids to learn that.

[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. “

I’m not in the Sherwood cluster, but our schools banned Halloween also.

What ‘feedback’ was collected? Did they do a survey? Any discussion with parents and teachers before they cancelled Halloween?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom was on the extreme side of extreme, she would also pull me out of a fall festival because in her pov it’s just Halloween with a different name.

What religion? What ethnicity? Where did you grow up?

I’m surprised this is such a big issue in mcps beyond newcomers. I have family in TX who are surrounded by Latinos who celebrate Halloween, but they aren’t newcomers—they are 2nd or 3rd generation.

I posted in the first few pages. I’m Latina and my parents were extreme Evangelists as in not cutting your hair and no pants variety. The majority of Latinos celebrated Halloween just not The extreme branches of Christianity. my family immigrated here when I was two, I grew up in Silver Spring and went to MCPS. I said in the first pages and I’ll say it again, I don’t think the county should bow down and conform to religious extremism. Frankly, I see that as dangerous.

Although they have changed over the years, my parents opposed any LGBT books, sex Ed (I was also pulled out for this), any books about magic (no Harry Potter for me), school dances. The list goes on and on!

I came to MoCo with my parents from El Salvador in the '80s. My family is very very religious (Catholic) and my parents love Halloween. It was something I was so excited to experience when I started school in the US. I have seen the waves of Central American immigrants change as more evangelicals from the US go down there on "mission" trips. The no pants, long hair evangelicos do not celebrate Halloween, but they are also (in general) not requesting it be removed from school. Yet they are the ones that will be/are being blamed for it. I have many people in my circle who are part of this evangelical community who keep their kids home from school on Halloween, do not allow celebrating, etc. But they do not object to others celebrating it (we're all going to hell, but I guess that's not their problem lol). The culture of most of central America means that parents would never, ever make a "demand" to the school, as teachers are highly respected and recognized as experts. Parents are not welcome to give their input.

The way I see it, well-meaning people are trying to be inclusive and don't want kids to feel left out. But the parents of those kids don't care if they feel left out. Their faith is more important, and it means getting left out of stuff. They want their kids to learn that.

I understand you are speaking from the perspective of Central Americans who would not object, and who are also of a Catholic background, like myself. But there are other religious/cultural groups who may not feel the same.

Imagine the Pilgrims being told that 1) they had to send their kids to school (yes I know we have homeschooling too) and 2) we were going to have a whole-school party where we dressed up in fictional costumes to celebrate the day when the veil between the worlds was thinnest, and we could contact spirits on the other side, and dress up like the Devil, witches, ghosts, or whatever we want. Do you think the Puritans would be OK with being told, "oh but it's tradition"!

The earliest settlers came here precisely to get away from forced participation in religious/cultural activities they didn't want to be a part of. I don't understand why we get upset about returning to that principle.

As long as we can do what we want at home and at Church, and turn off our porch light to not be bothered by trick or treaters, I don't see a problem. At all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom was on the extreme side of extreme, she would also pull me out of a fall festival because in her pov it’s just Halloween with a different name.

What religion? What ethnicity? Where did you grow up?

I’m surprised this is such a big issue in mcps beyond newcomers. I have family in TX who are surrounded by Latinos who celebrate Halloween, but they aren’t newcomers—they are 2nd or 3rd generation.

I posted in the first few pages. I’m Latina and my parents were extreme Evangelists as in not cutting your hair and no pants variety. The majority of Latinos celebrated Halloween just not The extreme branches of Christianity. my family immigrated here when I was two, I grew up in Silver Spring and went to MCPS. I said in the first pages and I’ll say it again, I don’t think the county should bow down and conform to religious extremism. Frankly, I see that as dangerous.

Although they have changed over the years, my parents opposed any LGBT books, sex Ed (I was also pulled out for this), any books about magic (no Harry Potter for me), school dances. The list goes on and on!

I came to MoCo with my parents from El Salvador in the '80s. My family is very very religious (Catholic) and my parents love Halloween. It was something I was so excited to experience when I started school in the US. I have seen the waves of Central American immigrants change as more evangelicals from the US go down there on "mission" trips. The no pants, long hair evangelicos do not celebrate Halloween, but they are also (in general) not requesting it be removed from school. Yet they are the ones that will be/are being blamed for it. I have many people in my circle who are part of this evangelical community who keep their kids home from school on Halloween, do not allow celebrating, etc. But they do not object to others celebrating it (we're all going to hell, but I guess that's not their problem lol). The culture of most of central America means that parents would never, ever make a "demand" to the school, as teachers are highly respected and recognized as experts. Parents are not welcome to give their input.

The way I see it, well-meaning people are trying to be inclusive and don't want kids to feel left out. But the parents of those kids don't care if they feel left out. Their faith is more important, and it means getting left out of stuff. They want their kids to learn that.

True, but at a certain point, if there are enough kids in a particular school who opt out of the Halloween activities, the school has to dedicate so many resources towards providing an alternate activity for them while also doing the school-wide Halloween event that it becomes impractical. That's what happened at our school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom was on the extreme side of extreme, she would also pull me out of a fall festival because in her pov it’s just Halloween with a different name.

What religion? What ethnicity? Where did you grow up?

I’m surprised this is such a big issue in mcps beyond newcomers. I have family in TX who are surrounded by Latinos who celebrate Halloween, but they aren’t newcomers—they are 2nd or 3rd generation.

I posted in the first few pages. I’m Latina and my parents were extreme Evangelists as in not cutting your hair and no pants variety. The majority of Latinos celebrated Halloween just not The extreme branches of Christianity. my family immigrated here when I was two, I grew up in Silver Spring and went to MCPS. I said in the first pages and I’ll say it again, I don’t think the county should bow down and conform to religious extremism. Frankly, I see that as dangerous.

Although they have changed over the years, my parents opposed any LGBT books, sex Ed (I was also pulled out for this), any books about magic (no Harry Potter for me), school dances. The list goes on and on!

I came to MoCo with my parents from El Salvador in the '80s. My family is very very religious (Catholic) and my parents love Halloween. It was something I was so excited to experience when I started school in the US. I have seen the waves of Central American immigrants change as more evangelicals from the US go down there on "mission" trips. The no pants, long hair evangelicos do not celebrate Halloween, but they are also (in general) not requesting it be removed from school. Yet they are the ones that will be/are being blamed for it. I have many people in my circle who are part of this evangelical community who keep their kids home from school on Halloween, do not allow celebrating, etc. But they do not object to others celebrating it (we're all going to hell, but I guess that's not their problem lol). The culture of most of central America means that parents would never, ever make a "demand" to the school, as teachers are highly respected and recognized as experts. Parents are not welcome to give their input.

The way I see it, well-meaning people are trying to be inclusive and don't want kids to feel left out. But the parents of those kids don't care if they feel left out. Their faith is more important, and it means getting left out of stuff. They want their kids to learn that.

You’re right and that’s exactly what I mean and maybe I wasn’t clear. My parents never requested anything but they simply kept me home and pulled me out. They would also never request books about magic, LGBT issues or sex and be pulled or banned but I was also prohibited from ever participating or reading those materials.

Something I initially wrote but didn’t include in my comment was that although I was always pulled out of these events and never felt left out because since I was taught these were evil and demonic celebrations why would I miss it? YKWIM?

I’m happy you’re backing up what I observe. This is not a Latino issue but it is an extreme religion issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom was on the extreme side of extreme, she would also pull me out of a fall festival because in her pov it’s just Halloween with a different name.

What religion? What ethnicity? Where did you grow up?

I’m surprised this is such a big issue in mcps beyond newcomers. I have family in TX who are surrounded by Latinos who celebrate Halloween, but they aren’t newcomers—they are 2nd or 3rd generation.

I posted in the first few pages. I’m Latina and my parents were extreme Evangelists as in not cutting your hair and no pants variety. The majority of Latinos celebrated Halloween just not The extreme branches of Christianity. my family immigrated here when I was two, I grew up in Silver Spring and went to MCPS. I said in the first pages and I’ll say it again, I don’t think the county should bow down and conform to religious extremism. Frankly, I see that as dangerous.

Although they have changed over the years, my parents opposed any LGBT books, sex Ed (I was also pulled out for this), any books about magic (no Harry Potter for me), school dances. The list goes on and on!

I came to MoCo with my parents from El Salvador in the '80s. My family is very very religious (Catholic) and my parents love Halloween. It was something I was so excited to experience when I started school in the US. I have seen the waves of Central American immigrants change as more evangelicals from the US go down there on "mission" trips. The no pants, long hair evangelicos do not celebrate Halloween, but they are also (in general) not requesting it be removed from school. Yet they are the ones that will be/are being blamed for it. I have many people in my circle who are part of this evangelical community who keep their kids home from school on Halloween, do not allow celebrating, etc. But they do not object to others celebrating it (we're all going to hell, but I guess that's not their problem lol). The culture of most of central America means that parents would never, ever make a "demand" to the school, as teachers are highly respected and recognized as experts. Parents are not welcome to give their input.

The way I see it, well-meaning people are trying to be inclusive and don't want kids to feel left out. But the parents of those kids don't care if they feel left out. Their faith is more important, and it means getting left out of stuff. They want their kids to learn that.

I understand you are speaking from the perspective of Central Americans who would not object, and who are also of a Catholic background, like myself. But there are other religious/cultural groups who may not feel the same.

Imagine the Pilgrims being told that 1) they had to send their kids to school (yes I know we have homeschooling too) and 2) we were going to have a whole-school party where we dressed up in fictional costumes to celebrate the day when the veil between the worlds was thinnest, and we could contact spirits on the other side, and dress up like the Devil, witches, ghosts, or whatever we want. Do you think the Puritans would be OK with being told, "oh but it's tradition"!

The earliest settlers came here precisely to get away from forced participation in religious/cultural activities they didn't want to be a part of. I don't understand why we get upset about returning to that principle.

As long as we can do what we want at home and at Church, and turn off our porch light to not be bothered by trick or treaters, I don't see a problem. At all.

That’s not the reality of how Halloween is truly celebrated. It’s a costume day when you get candy. There’s spooky decorations. That’s it. Kids aren’t celebrating evil spirits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom was on the extreme side of extreme, she would also pull me out of a fall festival because in her pov it’s just Halloween with a different name.

What religion? What ethnicity? Where did you grow up?

I’m surprised this is such a big issue in mcps beyond newcomers. I have family in TX who are surrounded by Latinos who celebrate Halloween, but they aren’t newcomers—they are 2nd or 3rd generation.

I posted in the first few pages. I’m Latina and my parents were extreme Evangelists as in not cutting your hair and no pants variety. The majority of Latinos celebrated Halloween just not The extreme branches of Christianity. my family immigrated here when I was two, I grew up in Silver Spring and went to MCPS. I said in the first pages and I’ll say it again, I don’t think the county should bow down and conform to religious extremism. Frankly, I see that as dangerous.

Although they have changed over the years, my parents opposed any LGBT books, sex Ed (I was also pulled out for this), any books about magic (no Harry Potter for me), school dances. The list goes on and on!

I came to MoCo with my parents from El Salvador in the '80s. My family is very very religious (Catholic) and my parents love Halloween. It was something I was so excited to experience when I started school in the US. I have seen the waves of Central American immigrants change as more evangelicals from the US go down there on "mission" trips. The no pants, long hair evangelicos do not celebrate Halloween, but they are also (in general) not requesting it be removed from school. Yet they are the ones that will be/are being blamed for it. I have many people in my circle who are part of this evangelical community who keep their kids home from school on Halloween, do not allow celebrating, etc. But they do not object to others celebrating it (we're all going to hell, but I guess that's not their problem lol). The culture of most of central America means that parents would never, ever make a "demand" to the school, as teachers are highly respected and recognized as experts. Parents are not welcome to give their input.

The way I see it, well-meaning people are trying to be inclusive and don't want kids to feel left out. But the parents of those kids don't care if they feel left out. Their faith is more important, and it means getting left out of stuff. They want their kids to learn that.

I understand you are speaking from the perspective of Central Americans who would not object, and who are also of a Catholic background, like myself. But there are other religious/cultural groups who may not feel the same.

Imagine the Pilgrims being told that 1) they had to send their kids to school (yes I know we have homeschooling too) and 2) we were going to have a whole-school party where we dressed up in fictional costumes to celebrate the day when the veil between the worlds was thinnest, and we could contact spirits on the other side, and dress up like the Devil, witches, ghosts, or whatever we want. Do you think the Puritans would be OK with being told, "oh but it's tradition"!

The earliest settlers came here precisely to get away from forced participation in religious/cultural activities they didn't want to be a part of. I don't understand why we get upset about returning to that principle.

As long as we can do what we want at home and at Church, and turn off our porch light to not be bothered by trick or treaters, I don't see a problem. At all.

Except that nobody was forcing any child in MCPS to wear a costume or to participate in the Halloween celebration at school. Any family could choose to opt out. The school Halloween party/parade has never been mandatory in MCPS.

Now, you have the flip side. A minority of families who disapprove of Halloween have resulted in Halloween being cancelled at school. So, you’re essentially forcing the beliefs of certain religious groups into the entire MCPS student population.

Halloween is a fun, non-religious, traditional holiday in America.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom was on the extreme side of extreme, she would also pull me out of a fall festival because in her pov it’s just Halloween with a different name.

What religion? What ethnicity? Where did you grow up?

I’m surprised this is such a big issue in mcps beyond newcomers. I have family in TX who are surrounded by Latinos who celebrate Halloween, but they aren’t newcomers—they are 2nd or 3rd generation.

I posted in the first few pages. I’m Latina and my parents were extreme Evangelists as in not cutting your hair and no pants variety. The majority of Latinos celebrated Halloween just not The extreme branches of Christianity. my family immigrated here when I was two, I grew up in Silver Spring and went to MCPS. I said in the first pages and I’ll say it again, I don’t think the county should bow down and conform to religious extremism. Frankly, I see that as dangerous.

Although they have changed over the years, my parents opposed any LGBT books, sex Ed (I was also pulled out for this), any books about magic (no Harry Potter for me), school dances. The list goes on and on!

I came to MoCo with my parents from El Salvador in the '80s. My family is very very religious (Catholic) and my parents love Halloween. It was something I was so excited to experience when I started school in the US. I have seen the waves of Central American immigrants change as more evangelicals from the US go down there on "mission" trips. The no pants, long hair evangelicos do not celebrate Halloween, but they are also (in general) not requesting it be removed from school. Yet they are the ones that will be/are being blamed for it. I have many people in my circle who are part of this evangelical community who keep their kids home from school on Halloween, do not allow celebrating, etc. But they do not object to others celebrating it (we're all going to hell, but I guess that's not their problem lol). The culture of most of central America means that parents would never, ever make a "demand" to the school, as teachers are highly respected and recognized as experts. Parents are not welcome to give their input.

The way I see it, well-meaning people are trying to be inclusive and don't want kids to feel left out. But the parents of those kids don't care if they feel left out. Their faith is more important, and it means getting left out of stuff. They want their kids to learn that.

I understand you are speaking from the perspective of Central Americans who would not object, and who are also of a Catholic background, like myself. But there are other religious/cultural groups who may not feel the same.

Imagine the Pilgrims being told that 1) they had to send their kids to school (yes I know we have homeschooling too) and 2) we were going to have a whole-school party where we dressed up in fictional costumes to celebrate the day when the veil between the worlds was thinnest, and we could contact spirits on the other side, and dress up like the Devil, witches, ghosts, or whatever we want. Do you think the Puritans would be OK with being told, "oh but it's tradition"!

The earliest settlers came here precisely to get away from forced participation in religious/cultural activities they didn't want to be a part of. I don't understand why we get upset about returning to that principle.

As long as we can do what we want at home and at Church, and turn off our porch light to not be bothered by trick or treaters, I don't see a problem. At all.

That’s not the reality of how Halloween is truly celebrated. It’s a costume day when you get candy. There’s spooky decorations. That’s it. Kids aren’t celebrating evil spirits.

Agreed. We used to have Halloween parades. Nobody was forcing my kid to dress up as a devil or as a ghost. My DD was all princesses all the time.

[Anonymous]

Our school is having a fall festival event and my daughter is really excited. And I'm excited because i don't need to deal with a costume at school!

Growing up in the late 80s, early 90s, our schools didn't do dress up Halloween events to be sensitive to recent immigrant populations and their views on masks. It was totally fine..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom was on the extreme side of extreme, she would also pull me out of a fall festival because in her pov it’s just Halloween with a different name.

What religion? What ethnicity? Where did you grow up?

I’m surprised this is such a big issue in mcps beyond newcomers. I have family in TX who are surrounded by Latinos who celebrate Halloween, but they aren’t newcomers—they are 2nd or 3rd generation.

I posted in the first few pages. I’m Latina and my parents were extreme Evangelists as in not cutting your hair and no pants variety. The majority of Latinos celebrated Halloween just not The extreme branches of Christianity. my family immigrated here when I was two, I grew up in Silver Spring and went to MCPS. I said in the first pages and I’ll say it again, I don’t think the county should bow down and conform to religious extremism. Frankly, I see that as dangerous.

Although they have changed over the years, my parents opposed any LGBT books, sex Ed (I was also pulled out for this), any books about magic (no Harry Potter for me), school dances. The list goes on and on!

I came to MoCo with my parents from El Salvador in the '80s. My family is very very religious (Catholic) and my parents love Halloween. It was something I was so excited to experience when I started school in the US. I have seen the waves of Central American immigrants change as more evangelicals from the US go down there on "mission" trips. The no pants, long hair evangelicos do not celebrate Halloween, but they are also (in general) not requesting it be removed from school. Yet they are the ones that will be/are being blamed for it. I have many people in my circle who are part of this evangelical community who keep their kids home from school on Halloween, do not allow celebrating, etc. But they do not object to others celebrating it (we're all going to hell, but I guess that's not their problem lol). The culture of most of central America means that parents would never, ever make a "demand" to the school, as teachers are highly respected and recognized as experts. Parents are not welcome to give their input.

The way I see it, well-meaning people are trying to be inclusive and don't want kids to feel left out. But the parents of those kids don't care if they feel left out. Their faith is more important, and it means getting left out of stuff. They want their kids to learn that.

I understand you are speaking from the perspective of Central Americans who would not object, and who are also of a Catholic background, like myself. But there are other religious/cultural groups who may not feel the same.

Imagine the Pilgrims being told that 1) they had to send their kids to school (yes I know we have homeschooling too) and 2) we were going to have a whole-school party where we dressed up in fictional costumes to celebrate the day when the veil between the worlds was thinnest, and we could contact spirits on the other side, and dress up like the Devil, witches, ghosts, or whatever we want. Do you think the Puritans would be OK with being told, "oh but it's tradition"!

The earliest settlers came here precisely to get away from forced participation in religious/cultural activities they didn't want to be a part of. I don't understand why we get upset about returning to that principle.

As long as we can do what we want at home and at Church, and turn off our porch light to not be bothered by trick or treaters, I don't see a problem. At all.

Where do you draw the line?

I have posted on here before (and been deleted) because my Christian Latina neighbor disapproves of the LGBQT books our MS Media Specialist picks out for the kids to read for Book Wars. She won’t let her DD participate. Which is find by me, and her right to opt her child out.

Is it okay with you if MCPS decides that we need to ban all LGBQT book in order cater to her religious beliefs?

[Anonymous]

Banning Halloween at school is not ‘inclusive’ and ‘tolerant’.

It’s divisive and unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

I didn't read through 28 pages, but I do note that I sort of felt the same as you and then learned from our principal that around 15% of the kids sat out of halloween celebrations in our school. That felt like a lot of kids who are not able to join in on the fun. Though even just a few is sad, so perhaps I shouldn't focus so much on the number.

My kids will get costumes, trick or treating, etc. No one is cancelling halloween. It's worth sacrificing the school focus on halloween (the school does a fall festival thing instead) to teach them to think of others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't read through 28 pages, but I do note that I sort of felt the same as you and then learned from our principal that around 15% of the kids sat out of halloween celebrations in our school. That felt like a lot of kids who are not able to join in on the fun. Though even just a few is sad, so perhaps I shouldn't focus so much on the number.

My kids will get costumes, trick or treating, etc. No one is cancelling halloween. It's worth sacrificing the school focus on halloween (the school does a fall festival thing instead) to teach them to think of others.

"If I can't have it, nobody can." Nice lesson.