Anonymous wrote:Stupid question, but if a child wants to participate but doesn't want to wear a costume are they made to do the non-participation event? I ask b/c I have a child who isn't crazy about dressing up, but won't want to miss out on the party aspect.

No, no one has to wear a costume-your child can absolutely participate. The non-participants celebration is typically for the kids who don't celebrate Halloween for religious reasons.

Many students (especially Haitians in my old school) do not celebrate halloween for several religious reasons. My advice For whatever u plan is to just try and ignore Halloween totally and just plan fun activities. The fall theme is not at all necessary. They are really just looking for a safe space where they don't have to constantly explain themselves and feel awkward.

In the schools where I have worked, the group that most frequently opts out has been conservative Latino Catholics.

Anonymous wrote:Can someone please explain to me what is so wrong with Halloween?

Most of those who opt out do it for religious reasons. Jehovah's Witness, conservative Christians, Muslims, Jews, etc.

Can someone please explain to me what is so wrong with Halloween?

Anonymous wrote:Stupid question, but if a child wants to participate but doesn't want to wear a costume are they made to do the non-participation event? I ask b/c I have a child who isn't crazy about dressing up, but won't want to miss out on the party aspect.

Of course they can. There is a "fall theme" party at our school for those children that choose not to participate in the Halloween theme.

OP - the kids can do two activities, have a snack and that's pretty much all you have time for. You can do:
1. handprint fall tree - kids can just trace their hand and draw leaves or use sticker leaves to make a tree
2. collect bunch of leaves and have the kids create a "masterpiece", the kids will love it, not sure about the parents
3. I'm blanking....I'm sure if you google fall theme parties you'll get lots of ideas.

Stupid question, but if a child wants to participate but doesn't want to wear a costume are they made to do the non-participation event? I ask b/c I have a child who isn't crazy about dressing up, but won't want to miss out on the party aspect.

Thank you for doing this. I'm sure these kids get overlooked in alot of schools. My DD was on the fence about participating in the halloween activities this year (Doesn't like large social groups or dressing up) and I was thinking of taking her out for a "doctor appointment" instead of participating if she wanted to.

In our school last year, the media specialist was in charge of the kids who just did nothing in the media center. So whatever school you're in, I appreciate some thought being given to this.

Find out what they did last year and go from there. Goody bags probably aren't necessary. Also, is there a lot of room for decorations in your school's media center?

I "volunteered" to help with the "opt out" party at DD's MCPS elementary school. We are new to the school so I haven't seen it in the past. My understanding is the children not participating in the costume parade gather in the media center for a movie and popcorn and other treats.

Question for people who have coordinated this sort of party and/or grew up attending alternative activities:

What should I be careful to avoid (other than halloween "symbols" such as bats, ghosts and witches). Would anyone object to a "theme" of fall leaf colors?

I think some of the kids in other classes get goodie bags. Would anyone object to their child getting a take home treat bag?

Any other suggestions to better make it a fun afternoon for these children?