Our elementary school canceled Halloween

[Anonymous]

I think we might want to think about what it means when we “feel sad” for kids who aren’t able to participate in Halloween for religious beliefs of their parents/family.

I mean, that’s rather paternalistic and judgmental even if unintentional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That’s basically it, isn’t it. That’s the message being sent.

Some families oppose Halloween so nobody can celebrate at school.

[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.

Again, depending on the parent, some will still pull their kids out of the fall festival because (in their point of view) it’s still a Halloween party in disguise (ha! See what I did there?). My parents would not have let me go.

I’m curious what attendance will be like for the fall festivals.

[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.

I could be wrong, but I think this will backfire. Mostly, it is a way to make people resentful. There are way better methods to teach 2nd and 3rd graders to ‘think of others’.

You’re saying that 85% of kids are willing to participate in Halloween celebrations. You’re okay with the school taking away a fun, well-liked, well-attended school tradition to cater to a relatively small percentage of families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we might want to think about what it means when we “feel sad” for kids who aren’t able to participate in Halloween for religious beliefs of their parents/family.

I mean, that’s rather paternalistic and judgmental even if unintentional.

I find that to be the case for so many of my ‘progressive’ liberal neighbors in MoCo. Incredibly paternalistic and a bit condescending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Yes, we're having a Halloween parade with customers. It's just a regular MCPS ES near Silver Spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Yes, we're having a Halloween parade with customers. It's just a regular MCPS ES near Silver Spring.

sorry auto-correct costumes ugh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we might want to think about what it means when we “feel sad” for kids who aren’t able to participate in Halloween for religious beliefs of their parents/family.

I mean, that’s rather paternalistic and judgmental even if unintentional.

I find that to be the case for so many of my ‘progressive’ liberal neighbors in MoCo. Incredibly paternalistic and a bit condescending.

THIS. I am pretty liberal and progressive myself, but I am really, really icked out by the condescension and patronization inherent in our school's assertion that we shouldn't do Halloween because the poors can't afford it. They haven't done a survey or anything, but evidently they just know in their bones what is good for people? It makes no sense... Having been a kid of limited means in an affluent community, I have very painful memories of what it's like not to be able to do things other kids can do, but Halloween was never the problem. Halloween is EASY - you can pretty much always borrow something or cobble together a costume out of what you have. Anyone who thinks this is a meaningful problem has never been poor. Here are some things that suck for non-affluent families in school communities that contain many wealthier people: -School benefits that there is no way for a non-affluent family to participate in, but which the school pressures kids to participate in through class fundraising competitions. -school supply lists full of weirdly expensive items like oversized sticky notes (seriously our shopping list this year had more than $30 worth of sticky notes this year. wtaf). -Spirit week -school sponsored trips with hefty price tags. I could go on. But the idea that a bunch of privileged white ladies should cancel it on behalf of people they haven't consulted is some serious white savior / white man's burden b.s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we might want to think about what it means when we “feel sad” for kids who aren’t able to participate in Halloween for religious beliefs of their parents/family.

I mean, that’s rather paternalistic and judgmental even if unintentional.

I find that to be the case for so many of my ‘progressive’ liberal neighbors in MoCo. Incredibly paternalistic and a bit condescending.

THIS. I am pretty liberal and progressive myself, but I am really, really icked out by the condescension and patronization inherent in our school's assertion that we shouldn't do Halloween because the poors can't afford it. They haven't done a survey or anything, but evidently they just know in their bones what is good for people? It makes no sense... Having been a kid of limited means in an affluent community, I have very painful memories of what it's like not to be able to do things other kids can do, but Halloween was never the problem. Halloween is EASY - you can pretty much always borrow something or cobble together a costume out of what you have. Anyone who thinks this is a meaningful problem has never been poor. Here are some things that suck for non-affluent families in school communities that contain many wealthier people: -School benefits that there is no way for a non-affluent family to participate in, but which the school pressures kids to participate in through class fundraising competitions. -school supply lists full of weirdly expensive items like oversized sticky notes (seriously our shopping list this year had more than $30 worth of sticky notes this year. wtaf). -Spirit week -school sponsored trips with hefty price tags. I could go on. But the idea that a bunch of privileged white ladies should cancel it on behalf of people they haven't consulted is some serious white savior / white man's burden b.s.

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we might want to think about what it means when we “feel sad” for kids who aren’t able to participate in Halloween for religious beliefs of their parents/family.

I mean, that’s rather paternalistic and judgmental even if unintentional.

I find that to be the case for so many of my ‘progressive’ liberal neighbors in MoCo. Incredibly paternalistic and a bit condescending.

THIS. I am pretty liberal and progressive myself, but I am really, really icked out by the condescension and patronization inherent in our school's assertion that we shouldn't do Halloween because the poors can't afford it. They haven't done a survey or anything, but evidently they just know in their bones what is good for people? It makes no sense... Having been a kid of limited means in an affluent community, I have very painful memories of what it's like not to be able to do things other kids can do, but Halloween was never the problem. Halloween is EASY - you can pretty much always borrow something or cobble together a costume out of what you have. Anyone who thinks this is a meaningful problem has never been poor. Here are some things that suck for non-affluent families in school communities that contain many wealthier people: -School benefits that there is no way for a non-affluent family to participate in, but which the school pressures kids to participate in through class fundraising competitions. -school supply lists full of weirdly expensive items like oversized sticky notes (seriously our shopping list this year had more than $30 worth of sticky notes this year. wtaf). -Spirit week -school sponsored trips with hefty price tags. I could go on. But the idea that a bunch of privileged white ladies should cancel it on behalf of people they haven't consulted is some serious white savior / white man's burden b.s.

You know Muslims and some conservative Christians don’t celebrate Halloween, right? It’s not because the school thinks some kids are too poor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we might want to think about what it means when we “feel sad” for kids who aren’t able to participate in Halloween for religious beliefs of their parents/family.

I mean, that’s rather paternalistic and judgmental even if unintentional.

I find that to be the case for so many of my ‘progressive’ liberal neighbors in MoCo. Incredibly paternalistic and a bit condescending.

THIS. I am pretty liberal and progressive myself, but I am really, really icked out by the condescension and patronization inherent in our school's assertion that we shouldn't do Halloween because the poors can't afford it. They haven't done a survey or anything, but evidently they just know in their bones what is good for people? It makes no sense... Having been a kid of limited means in an affluent community, I have very painful memories of what it's like not to be able to do things other kids can do, but Halloween was never the problem. Halloween is EASY - you can pretty much always borrow something or cobble together a costume out of what you have. Anyone who thinks this is a meaningful problem has never been poor. Here are some things that suck for non-affluent families in school communities that contain many wealthier people: -School benefits that there is no way for a non-affluent family to participate in, but which the school pressures kids to participate in through class fundraising competitions. -school supply lists full of weirdly expensive items like oversized sticky notes (seriously our shopping list this year had more than $30 worth of sticky notes this year. wtaf). -Spirit week -school sponsored trips with hefty price tags. I could go on. But the idea that a bunch of privileged white ladies should cancel it on behalf of people they haven't consulted is some serious white savior / white man's burden b.s.

You know Muslims and some conservative Christians don’t celebrate Halloween, right? It’s not because the school thinks some kids are too poor.

Yes, I know this. There aren't many people in either category at our school. Our school is more concerned about SES. (We are not a high poverty school fwiw - we have a wide range of SES.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Yes, we're having a Halloween parade with customers. It's just a regular MCPS ES near Silver Spring.

Name the school or it didn't happen. I mean, basically, that's what this has become.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we might want to think about what it means when we “feel sad” for kids who aren’t able to participate in Halloween for religious beliefs of their parents/family.

I mean, that’s rather paternalistic and judgmental even if unintentional.

I find that to be the case for so many of my ‘progressive’ liberal neighbors in MoCo. Incredibly paternalistic and a bit condescending.

THIS. I am pretty liberal and progressive myself, but I am really, really icked out by the condescension and patronization inherent in our school's assertion that we shouldn't do Halloween because the poors can't afford it. They haven't done a survey or anything, but evidently they just know in their bones what is good for people? It makes no sense... Having been a kid of limited means in an affluent community, I have very painful memories of what it's like not to be able to do things other kids can do, but Halloween was never the problem. Halloween is EASY - you can pretty much always borrow something or cobble together a costume out of what you have. Anyone who thinks this is a meaningful problem has never been poor. Here are some things that suck for non-affluent families in school communities that contain many wealthier people: -School benefits that there is no way for a non-affluent family to participate in, but which the school pressures kids to participate in through class fundraising competitions. -school supply lists full of weirdly expensive items like oversized sticky notes (seriously our shopping list this year had more than $30 worth of sticky notes this year. wtaf). -Spirit week -school sponsored trips with hefty price tags. I could go on. But the idea that a bunch of privileged white ladies should cancel it on behalf of people they haven't consulted is some serious white savior / white man's burden b.s.

You know Muslims and some conservative Christians don’t celebrate Halloween, right? It’s not because the school thinks some kids are too poor.

It’s all the same though. The Muslims and the Christians who disapprove of Halloween are more than welcome to opt their kids out of any celebration at school. Nobody is forcing them to participate.

It’s the PP who ‘feels sad’ for the kids who is being patronizing.

At any rate, why are we cancelling a non-offensive secular tradition to appease religious fanatics? Can someone please explain?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we might want to think about what it means when we “feel sad” for kids who aren’t able to participate in Halloween for religious beliefs of their parents/family.

I mean, that’s rather paternalistic and judgmental even if unintentional.

I find that to be the case for so many of my ‘progressive’ liberal neighbors in MoCo. Incredibly paternalistic and a bit condescending.

THIS. I am pretty liberal and progressive myself, but I am really, really icked out by the condescension and patronization inherent in our school's assertion that we shouldn't do Halloween because the poors can't afford it. They haven't done a survey or anything, but evidently they just know in their bones what is good for people? It makes no sense... Having been a kid of limited means in an affluent community, I have very painful memories of what it's like not to be able to do things other kids can do, but Halloween was never the problem. Halloween is EASY - you can pretty much always borrow something or cobble together a costume out of what you have. Anyone who thinks this is a meaningful problem has never been poor. Here are some things that suck for non-affluent families in school communities that contain many wealthier people: -School benefits that there is no way for a non-affluent family to participate in, but which the school pressures kids to participate in through class fundraising competitions. -school supply lists full of weirdly expensive items like oversized sticky notes (seriously our shopping list this year had more than $30 worth of sticky notes this year. wtaf). -Spirit week -school sponsored trips with hefty price tags. I could go on. But the idea that a bunch of privileged white ladies should cancel it on behalf of people they haven't consulted is some serious white savior / white man's burden b.s.

You know Muslims and some conservative Christians don’t celebrate Halloween, right? It’s not because the school thinks some kids are too poor.

It’s all the same though. The Muslims and the Christians who disapprove of Halloween are more than welcome to opt their kids out of any celebration at school. Nobody is forcing them to participate.

It’s the PP who ‘feels sad’ for the kids who is being patronizing.

At any rate, why are we cancelling a non-offensive secular tradition to appease religious fanatics? Can someone please explain?

This.

I wonder how many kids opt out of Family Life in 5th grade and HS health for religious or other reasons. Should we cancel the curriculum? You know, those kids are pulled from class and the school has to otherwise supervise them—and it’s not just for one day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we might want to think about what it means when we “feel sad” for kids who aren’t able to participate in Halloween for religious beliefs of their parents/family.

I mean, that’s rather paternalistic and judgmental even if unintentional.

I find that to be the case for so many of my ‘progressive’ liberal neighbors in MoCo. Incredibly paternalistic and a bit condescending.

THIS. I am pretty liberal and progressive myself, but I am really, really icked out by the condescension and patronization inherent in our school's assertion that we shouldn't do Halloween because the poors can't afford it. They haven't done a survey or anything, but evidently they just know in their bones what is good for people? It makes no sense... Having been a kid of limited means in an affluent community, I have very painful memories of what it's like not to be able to do things other kids can do, but Halloween was never the problem. Halloween is EASY - you can pretty much always borrow something or cobble together a costume out of what you have. Anyone who thinks this is a meaningful problem has never been poor. Here are some things that suck for non-affluent families in school communities that contain many wealthier people: -School benefits that there is no way for a non-affluent family to participate in, but which the school pressures kids to participate in through class fundraising competitions. -school supply lists full of weirdly expensive items like oversized sticky notes (seriously our shopping list this year had more than $30 worth of sticky notes this year. wtaf). -Spirit week -school sponsored trips with hefty price tags. I could go on. But the idea that a bunch of privileged white ladies should cancel it on behalf of people they haven't consulted is some serious white savior / white man's burden b.s.

You know Muslims and some conservative Christians don’t celebrate Halloween, right? It’s not because the school thinks some kids are too poor.

I'm sorry, I just choked on my tea. Muslims don't celebrate Halloween? All Muslims. Really? Wow. I guess I know a lot of Muslims who didn't get the memo. In all seriousness, though, do you believe this? Do you also think that all Muslims where burkas? ... Anyway, I think you just proved the point - people who are cancelling Halloween on other people's behalf literally do not even what they are talking about.