Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do find the aversion and censoring of Halloween in MCPS elementary schools to be very odd. Getting to dress up for the day and having Halloween classroom parties was a fantastic experience for me as a kid.

Same! And I grew up poor, so it’s not like I always had a ‘cool’ costume. It was whatever I could get my mom to help me put together.

Wish my kid’s ES allowed Halloween. But they are not allowed to even read books about it. Let along have a Halloween parade.

May this be the worst thing that ever happens to your child.

Is that your argument? Things could be worse for my kid, so I can’t express my disappointment that our ES has banned any mention of Halloween during school? Nah, sorry, it doesn’t work that way.

Expressing disappointment: I have fond memories about Halloween in school, so I am sad that my kid won't have that. Oh well. I'm looking forward to trick-or-treating tonight!

Is that what you're saying?

+1
I have a ton of cute/fond memories of Christmastime at school where our school PTA would set up a Santa’s Secret Shop in the cafeteria and we could buy inexpensive trinkets for members of our family (junky stuff ranging from 25 cents to $5–kind of like things you might find in the oriental trading catalog) And then the moms would gift wrap it for us. It was such fun to pick out a gift to give that was just from me!
As an adult, of course I realize now that there were probably a few kids in the school who didn’t celebrate Christmas (it was the Midwest) who might have felt excluded by this tradition, so it’s not a terrible thing that it no longer exists. But yes, it’s a fond memory for me that I wish my kids had.
(We also watched the Charlie Brown Christmas episode IN SCHOOL the morning of the Christmas party for at least three years in a row. And that one is very religious. Public school. Times have definitely changed.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Halloween is in the evening.
Yes it’s cultural but has nothing to do with education.
Keep them separate.

That's not the tradition. In our culture we dress up for school, kids and teachers. We have parades and parties. That's American culture.

I mean, it IS a satanic holiday.
But it has morphed/merged into a secular cute/fun tradition with parades and costumes and fun.

Just like Christmas was a pagan holiday that then morphed/merged into celebrating the birth of Christ….and then for many years was celebrated in schools (as long as the specifically “religious part” was left out)…we had class Christmas parties with secret Santa exchanges and stockings and sang “jingle bells” and “up on the housetop” and “deck the halls” in music class and that is no longer permitted. Today it’s “winter parties” with snowflakes and snowmen and mittens.
Times change, PP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do find the aversion and censoring of Halloween in MCPS elementary schools to be very odd. Getting to dress up for the day and having Halloween classroom parties was a fantastic experience for me as a kid.

Same! And I grew up poor, so it’s not like I always had a ‘cool’ costume. It was whatever I could get my mom to help me put together.

Wish my kid’s ES allowed Halloween. But they are not allowed to even read books about it. Let along have a Halloween parade.

May this be the worst thing that ever happens to your child.

Is that your argument? Things could be worse for my kid, so I can’t express my disappointment that our ES has banned any mention of Halloween during school? Nah, sorry, it doesn’t work that way.

Expressing disappointment: I have fond memories about Halloween in school, so I am sad that my kid won't have that. Oh well. I'm looking forward to trick-or-treating tonight!

Is that what you're saying?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do find the aversion and censoring of Halloween in MCPS elementary schools to be very odd. Getting to dress up for the day and having Halloween classroom parties was a fantastic experience for me as a kid.

Same! And I grew up poor, so it’s not like I always had a ‘cool’ costume. It was whatever I could get my mom to help me put together.

Wish my kid’s ES allowed Halloween. But they are not allowed to even read books about it. Let along have a Halloween parade.

May this be the worst thing that ever happens to your child.

Is that your argument? Things could be worse for my kid, so I can’t express my disappointment that our ES has banned any mention of Halloween during school? Nah, sorry, it doesn’t work that way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do find the aversion and censoring of Halloween in MCPS elementary schools to be very odd. Getting to dress up for the day and having Halloween classroom parties was a fantastic experience for me as a kid.

It’s extremely weird.

Halloween is a big part of American culture and it’s a fun part of childhood. It’s sad that MCPS is taking that away from kids.

MCPS is preventing kids from dressing up to go trick or treating? That's terrible!

Wait, what?

Stop being purposefully obtuse.

Class Halloween parties and parades are fun and are a big part of childhood for a lot of kids.

MCPS deciding to do away with that is unfortunate.

Do you also believe that MCPS is participating in the War On Christmas by no longer having in-school Christmas parties?

For as long as I have been on this forum on DCUM, which is way too long, there have been annual complaints about how MCPS is ruining childhood by not having Halloween parties, followed by annual complaints about children ruining other children's childhood by telling them Santa isn't real.

If you want your children to celebrate Halloween in the great American tradition, you should go out with them to tip over outhouses. That's your responsibility as a parent; it's not MCPS's.

I’m Jewish, and no — I don’t think there’s any war on Christmas. I do think having parties before winter break is fun and can be done in a secular way.

But it’s ridiculous for you to think it’s a huge deal for kids to have class Halloween parties.

It’s a little bit of fun. What’s the problem?

Is it a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties?

For these people who act like MCPS can’t possibly handle it — yes, it apparently is. It’s just too much to ask that these kids get a little fun at school.

Re-read, please. Is it a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties?

Given that it’s a harmless bit of fun — yeah I think it’s something I’d bring up with MCPS. Kids go through a lot; they deserve to have some fun at school.

You think it's a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties? Wow.

Did I say that? No.

I just think it’s stupid to stop doing it. And I don’t get why you all act like it’s ridiculous to want it back.

What's ridiculous is to make a huge deal about it.

Who’s making a huge deal about it? We’re just saying the kids should be allowed to celebrate it at school, like kids have done for decades.

I know reading comprehension is a problem for you, but the PP literally just said they are allowed to celebrate at school by wearing costumes.

Are you suggesting that they be allowed to trick or treat at school or something? You do realize that the teachers have academic subjects to teach?

Ironic that you cite reading comprehension, when you seem to have missed the posts talking about schools that don’t allow Halloween celebrations at all.

Oh, I comprehended that perfectly well. It's just that nutcases like you claim that "ant-Halloween" is some widespread thing, but over the course of 8 pages, only one school was identified. So, in short, I don't believe you.

What? I haven't read the whole thread and I count 12 (my kid is at one of these schools and FTR it is NBD to us that they are doing a fall party instead of a halloween party)

Rock Creek forest
Rock view
Oakland terrace
highland
rosemary hills
woodlin
takoma
ESS
highland view
sligo creek
glen haven
farmland

Add Lucy V Barnsley ES to the list!

Not only do they ban Halloween in school, they also banned the PTA sponsored ‘Spooktacular’ that used to be held on the weekend. Used to be such a fun ‘community’ event for families.

Not sure how they could ban the PTA event as that is separate from MCPS.

LOL. Do you think the PTA can do whatever it wants because it is ‘separate from MCPS’? That is so far from the truth.

Our PTA wanted to provide extra funds to increase staffing but that was not allowed. The PTA leadership does not have free reign at any given ES.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand the hostility on this thread. We grew up celebrating Halloween and vday—they are fun American traditions and we have fond memories of celebrating them in schools. I believe these were Charlie Brown specials even. And so it’s sad to see, at some schools including my DC’s, these holidays being treated like they are almost unmentionable or like they don’t exist. I don’t make a big deal out of it, but it does seem like these holidays are being erased whereas holidays from other cultures are at least acknowledged.

You should bring that up with your school and PTA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do find the aversion and censoring of Halloween in MCPS elementary schools to be very odd. Getting to dress up for the day and having Halloween classroom parties was a fantastic experience for me as a kid.

It’s extremely weird.

Halloween is a big part of American culture and it’s a fun part of childhood. It’s sad that MCPS is taking that away from kids.

MCPS is preventing kids from dressing up to go trick or treating? That's terrible!

Wait, what?

Stop being purposefully obtuse.

Class Halloween parties and parades are fun and are a big part of childhood for a lot of kids.

MCPS deciding to do away with that is unfortunate.

Do you also believe that MCPS is participating in the War On Christmas by no longer having in-school Christmas parties?

For as long as I have been on this forum on DCUM, which is way too long, there have been annual complaints about how MCPS is ruining childhood by not having Halloween parties, followed by annual complaints about children ruining other children's childhood by telling them Santa isn't real.

If you want your children to celebrate Halloween in the great American tradition, you should go out with them to tip over outhouses. That's your responsibility as a parent; it's not MCPS's.

I’m Jewish, and no — I don’t think there’s any war on Christmas. I do think having parties before winter break is fun and can be done in a secular way.

But it’s ridiculous for you to think it’s a huge deal for kids to have class Halloween parties.

It’s a little bit of fun. What’s the problem?

Is it a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties?

For these people who act like MCPS can’t possibly handle it — yes, it apparently is. It’s just too much to ask that these kids get a little fun at school.

Re-read, please. Is it a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties?

Given that it’s a harmless bit of fun — yeah I think it’s something I’d bring up with MCPS. Kids go through a lot; they deserve to have some fun at school.

You think it's a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties? Wow.

Did I say that? No.

I just think it’s stupid to stop doing it. And I don’t get why you all act like it’s ridiculous to want it back.

What's ridiculous is to make a huge deal about it.

Who’s making a huge deal about it? We’re just saying the kids should be allowed to celebrate it at school, like kids have done for decades.

I know reading comprehension is a problem for you, but the PP literally just said they are allowed to celebrate at school by wearing costumes.

Are you suggesting that they be allowed to trick or treat at school or something? You do realize that the teachers have academic subjects to teach?

Ironic that you cite reading comprehension, when you seem to have missed the posts talking about schools that don’t allow Halloween celebrations at all.

Oh, I comprehended that perfectly well. It's just that nutcases like you claim that "ant-Halloween" is some widespread thing, but over the course of 8 pages, only one school was identified. So, in short, I don't believe you.

What? I haven't read the whole thread and I count 12 (my kid is at one of these schools and FTR it is NBD to us that they are doing a fall party instead of a halloween party)

Rock Creek forest
Rock view
Oakland terrace
highland
rosemary hills
woodlin
takoma
ESS
highland view
sligo creek
glen haven
farmland

Add Lucy V Barnsley ES to the list!

Not only do they ban Halloween in school, they also banned the PTA sponsored ‘Spooktacular’ that used to be held on the weekend. Used to be such a fun ‘community’ event for families.

Not sure how they could ban the PTA event as that is separate from MCPS.

Anonymous wrote:If your school refuses to celebrate Halloween because students in the school believe it's a satanic holiday, then I say we should call a massive sick out, tomorrow and every year that our culture is being blatantly disrespected and remains undefended. We bend over backwards to make sure MCPS is all about inclusion yet when our own culture is wrongly accused of satanism we just say, "You're entitled to your opinion" instead of educating them that NO, Halloween is NOT about satanism. Why is that okay?

Halloween is a part of American culture. It is NOT satanic. As an employee of MCPS I'm not even allowed to wear so much as a Dr Seuss hat to celebrate my own cultural tradition. That is BS. I'm calling in sick in revolt!! Please join me!

What?!? Where I grew up it was the churches who boycotted Halloween…churches full of generations of white americans.

I don’t understand the hostility on this thread. We grew up celebrating Halloween and vday—they are fun American traditions and we have fond memories of celebrating them in schools. I believe these were Charlie Brown specials even. And so it’s sad to see, at some schools including my DC’s, these holidays being treated like they are almost unmentionable or like they don’t exist. I don’t make a big deal out of it, but it does seem like these holidays are being erased whereas holidays from other cultures are at least acknowledged.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do find the aversion and censoring of Halloween in MCPS elementary schools to be very odd. Getting to dress up for the day and having Halloween classroom parties was a fantastic experience for me as a kid.

Same! And I grew up poor, so it’s not like I always had a ‘cool’ costume. It was whatever I could get my mom to help me put together.

Wish my kid’s ES allowed Halloween. But they are not allowed to even read books about it. Let along have a Halloween parade.

May this be the worst thing that ever happens to your child.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do find the aversion and censoring of Halloween in MCPS elementary schools to be very odd. Getting to dress up for the day and having Halloween classroom parties was a fantastic experience for me as a kid.

It’s extremely weird.

Halloween is a big part of American culture and it’s a fun part of childhood. It’s sad that MCPS is taking that away from kids.

MCPS is preventing kids from dressing up to go trick or treating? That's terrible!

Wait, what?

Stop being purposefully obtuse.

Class Halloween parties and parades are fun and are a big part of childhood for a lot of kids.

MCPS deciding to do away with that is unfortunate.

Do you also believe that MCPS is participating in the War On Christmas by no longer having in-school Christmas parties?

For as long as I have been on this forum on DCUM, which is way too long, there have been annual complaints about how MCPS is ruining childhood by not having Halloween parties, followed by annual complaints about children ruining other children's childhood by telling them Santa isn't real.

If you want your children to celebrate Halloween in the great American tradition, you should go out with them to tip over outhouses. That's your responsibility as a parent; it's not MCPS's.

I’m Jewish, and no — I don’t think there’s any war on Christmas. I do think having parties before winter break is fun and can be done in a secular way.

But it’s ridiculous for you to think it’s a huge deal for kids to have class Halloween parties.

It’s a little bit of fun. What’s the problem?

Is it a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties?

For these people who act like MCPS can’t possibly handle it — yes, it apparently is. It’s just too much to ask that these kids get a little fun at school.

Re-read, please. Is it a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties?

Given that it’s a harmless bit of fun — yeah I think it’s something I’d bring up with MCPS. Kids go through a lot; they deserve to have some fun at school.

You think it's a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties? Wow.

Did I say that? No.

I just think it’s stupid to stop doing it. And I don’t get why you all act like it’s ridiculous to want it back.

What's ridiculous is to make a huge deal about it.

Who’s making a huge deal about it? We’re just saying the kids should be allowed to celebrate it at school, like kids have done for decades.

I know reading comprehension is a problem for you, but the PP literally just said they are allowed to celebrate at school by wearing costumes.

Are you suggesting that they be allowed to trick or treat at school or something? You do realize that the teachers have academic subjects to teach?

Ironic that you cite reading comprehension, when you seem to have missed the posts talking about schools that don’t allow Halloween celebrations at all.

Oh, I comprehended that perfectly well. It's just that nutcases like you claim that "ant-Halloween" is some widespread thing, but over the course of 8 pages, only one school was identified. So, in short, I don't believe you.

What? I haven't read the whole thread and I count 12 (my kid is at one of these schools and FTR it is NBD to us that they are doing a fall party instead of a halloween party)

Rock Creek forest
Rock view
Oakland terrace
highland
rosemary hills
woodlin
takoma
ESS
highland view
sligo creek
glen haven
farmland

Add Lucy V Barnsley ES to the list!

Not only do they ban Halloween in school, they also banned the PTA sponsored ‘Spooktacular’ that used to be held on the weekend. Used to be such a fun ‘community’ event for families.

Anonymous wrote:I do find the aversion and censoring of Halloween in MCPS elementary schools to be very odd. Getting to dress up for the day and having Halloween classroom parties was a fantastic experience for me as a kid.

Same! And I grew up poor, so it’s not like I always had a ‘cool’ costume. It was whatever I could get my mom to help me put together.

Wish my kid’s ES allowed Halloween. But they are not allowed to even read books about it. Let along have a Halloween parade.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do find the aversion and censoring of Halloween in MCPS elementary schools to be very odd. Getting to dress up for the day and having Halloween classroom parties was a fantastic experience for me as a kid.

It’s extremely weird.

Halloween is a big part of American culture and it’s a fun part of childhood. It’s sad that MCPS is taking that away from kids.

MCPS is preventing kids from dressing up to go trick or treating? That's terrible!

Wait, what?

Stop being purposefully obtuse.

Class Halloween parties and parades are fun and are a big part of childhood for a lot of kids.

MCPS deciding to do away with that is unfortunate.

Do you also believe that MCPS is participating in the War On Christmas by no longer having in-school Christmas parties?

For as long as I have been on this forum on DCUM, which is way too long, there have been annual complaints about how MCPS is ruining childhood by not having Halloween parties, followed by annual complaints about children ruining other children's childhood by telling them Santa isn't real.

If you want your children to celebrate Halloween in the great American tradition, you should go out with them to tip over outhouses. That's your responsibility as a parent; it's not MCPS's.

I’m Jewish, and no — I don’t think there’s any war on Christmas. I do think having parties before winter break is fun and can be done in a secular way.

But it’s ridiculous for you to think it’s a huge deal for kids to have class Halloween parties.

It’s a little bit of fun. What’s the problem?

Is it a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties?

For these people who act like MCPS can’t possibly handle it — yes, it apparently is. It’s just too much to ask that these kids get a little fun at school.

Do you have an Elementary-aged kid? Because if so, you'd know this statement is ridiculous. There are SO many parties! 100th day of school parties; fall festival parties; holiday parties; valentine parties; spring parties; school "spirit week" parties; school fundraiser-associated-parties; end of school year parties; and I'm probably forgetting a few. So - it's absolutely not true that Halloween is the only opportunity to "get a little fun at school." My god.

A lot of MCPS schools don’t do Valentine’s Day parties or birthday celebrations.

It seems you’re the one who’s out of touch.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do find the aversion and censoring of Halloween in MCPS elementary schools to be very odd. Getting to dress up for the day and having Halloween classroom parties was a fantastic experience for me as a kid.

It’s extremely weird.

Halloween is a big part of American culture and it’s a fun part of childhood. It’s sad that MCPS is taking that away from kids.

MCPS is preventing kids from dressing up to go trick or treating? That's terrible!

Wait, what?

Stop being purposefully obtuse.

Class Halloween parties and parades are fun and are a big part of childhood for a lot of kids.

MCPS deciding to do away with that is unfortunate.

Do you also believe that MCPS is participating in the War On Christmas by no longer having in-school Christmas parties?

For as long as I have been on this forum on DCUM, which is way too long, there have been annual complaints about how MCPS is ruining childhood by not having Halloween parties, followed by annual complaints about children ruining other children's childhood by telling them Santa isn't real.

If you want your children to celebrate Halloween in the great American tradition, you should go out with them to tip over outhouses. That's your responsibility as a parent; it's not MCPS's.

I’m Jewish, and no — I don’t think there’s any war on Christmas. I do think having parties before winter break is fun and can be done in a secular way.

But it’s ridiculous for you to think it’s a huge deal for kids to have class Halloween parties.

It’s a little bit of fun. What’s the problem?

Is it a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties?

For these people who act like MCPS can’t possibly handle it — yes, it apparently is. It’s just too much to ask that these kids get a little fun at school.

Re-read, please. Is it a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties?

Given that it’s a harmless bit of fun — yeah I think it’s something I’d bring up with MCPS. Kids go through a lot; they deserve to have some fun at school.

You think it's a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties? Wow.

Did I say that? No.

I just think it’s stupid to stop doing it. And I don’t get why you all act like it’s ridiculous to want it back.

What's ridiculous is to make a huge deal about it.

Who’s making a huge deal about it? We’re just saying the kids should be allowed to celebrate it at school, like kids have done for decades.

I know reading comprehension is a problem for you, but the PP literally just said they are allowed to celebrate at school by wearing costumes.

Are you suggesting that they be allowed to trick or treat at school or something? You do realize that the teachers have academic subjects to teach?

Ironic that you cite reading comprehension, when you seem to have missed the posts talking about schools that don’t allow Halloween celebrations at all.

Oh, I comprehended that perfectly well. It's just that nutcases like you claim that "ant-Halloween" is some widespread thing, but over the course of 8 pages, only one school was identified. So, in short, I don't believe you.

What? I haven't read the whole thread and I count 12 (my kid is at one of these schools and FTR it is NBD to us that they are doing a fall party instead of a halloween party)

Rock Creek forest
Rock view
Oakland terrace
highland
rosemary hills
woodlin
takoma
ESS
highland view
sligo creek
glen haven
farmland

Jones Lane did a PTA sponsored trunk or treat in the evening on Oct 28. Halloween is “school spirit day.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do find the aversion and censoring of Halloween in MCPS elementary schools to be very odd. Getting to dress up for the day and having Halloween classroom parties was a fantastic experience for me as a kid.

It’s extremely weird.

Halloween is a big part of American culture and it’s a fun part of childhood. It’s sad that MCPS is taking that away from kids.

MCPS is preventing kids from dressing up to go trick or treating? That's terrible!

Wait, what?

Stop being purposefully obtuse.

Class Halloween parties and parades are fun and are a big part of childhood for a lot of kids.

MCPS deciding to do away with that is unfortunate.

Do you also believe that MCPS is participating in the War On Christmas by no longer having in-school Christmas parties?

For as long as I have been on this forum on DCUM, which is way too long, there have been annual complaints about how MCPS is ruining childhood by not having Halloween parties, followed by annual complaints about children ruining other children's childhood by telling them Santa isn't real.

If you want your children to celebrate Halloween in the great American tradition, you should go out with them to tip over outhouses. That's your responsibility as a parent; it's not MCPS's.

I’m Jewish, and no — I don’t think there’s any war on Christmas. I do think having parties before winter break is fun and can be done in a secular way.

But it’s ridiculous for you to think it’s a huge deal for kids to have class Halloween parties.

It’s a little bit of fun. What’s the problem?

Is it a huge deal for kids to not have class Halloween parties?

For these people who act like MCPS can’t possibly handle it — yes, it apparently is. It’s just too much to ask that these kids get a little fun at school.

Do you have an Elementary-aged kid? Because if so, you'd know this statement is ridiculous. There are SO many parties! 100th day of school parties; fall festival parties; holiday parties; valentine parties; spring parties; school "spirit week" parties; school fundraiser-associated-parties; end of school year parties; and I'm probably forgetting a few. So - it's absolutely not true that Halloween is the only opportunity to "get a little fun at school." My god.