Should Halloween Be Celebrated In Schools?

[The Blob]

Roosevelt Halloween Party
Tribune photo published October 31, 1953

Over the last couple years I have seen more and more instances where Halloween is not being allowed to be celebrated in schools! Schools point to examples where parents have complained that it is immoral or it is against certain faiths. Other reasons are cited where children of poor families may feel left out or inadequate when their costume do not measure up to others.

I understand the above arguments however growing up in New England Halloween was a staple of my childhood. It was part of the season of Autumn and I loved looking forward to it! After all when you grow up you loose your childhood icons one by one. What do you mean Santa Claus isn't real?...Huh the Easter Bunny doesn't exist? The Tooth Fairy didn't leave that quarter? However, Halloween never disappointed it always allowed us to become the hero, villian or character that we wanted to play out even if it was just for one day!
Unfortunately today's climate of having to please everyone by being as PC and sanitized as we can perhaps does more harm then good for our kids.It won't be long before a majority of them will be sitting in cubicles working 9 to 5 and pushing black or blue colored pens over white paper. Perhaps we should allow them some fun and creativity and not be so quick to take away the right of all kids.. A chance to celebrate and be creative before they have to grow up.


Photos from Ames Tribune Weekly Click here for more vintage Halloween photos.

[The Blob]

mmmh.. no comments really? surprised

[susan from creepy hollow]

we used to have Halloween parties, and the school was decorated. i don't understand why they have to ruin it for kids now. it sickens me...
anyway...
when my son was in 2nd grade, we (my husband Danny and i) were asked to head up the 'fall' party... a 'fall' party? hmmm...
HALLOWEEN! we brought in pumpkins (already hollowed and ready to carve) pumpkin seeds to toast in a toaster oven, candy, cupcakes, a fog machine, and kid friendly movies to watch( Disney's the legend of sleepy hollow, and the Halloween Tree). we had an absolute BALL and the kids loved it too.

we even brought in some turnips that we carved, as a bit of a history lesson. have you ever tried to carve a turnip? the secret is BAND-AIDS! lol

they are much older now, in the 10th grade in fact, but several remember 'our' Halloween party fondly.

[The Blob]

Those are great suggestions.. i like the idea of bringing already hallowed out pumpkins. Makes it so much easier for the kids. Also bringing Disney movies is smart..after all what parent is going to protest a Disney movie. Which is great because old Disney movies like something wicked this way comes and watcher in the woods are pretty down right scary.

Were you actually able to carve out a turnip? I'd imagine its pretty difficult considering it does not have a hallow center like a pumpkin.

[susan from creepy hollow]

oh man the turnips weren't much fun at all. we had to gouge out a hole in the center, barely big enough for a tealight. then we gouged eyes and a mouth of sorts. i don't recommend doing a bunch of them, but 1 or 2 is cool. just a fun little history lesson for teh kiddies, you know! ;-)

[Ethan Black]

Yes!

[cindy]

better to carve a turnip that have to eat one! yuck! not a fan of those! as for the halloween in schools, hubby is an administrator at a high school, and the reasoning for the changes in halloween policy in their district was because the costuming was continueously inappropriate...way too sexy and/or way too gory. i too, have fond memories of my school halloween fun. i have been trying to collect photos of my kids old costumes from past years to post on my blog. it was always fun trying to come up with costume for them to wear to their halloween school parties!

[The Blob]

I guess that makes sense! It is hard to try and get younger people to think simpler especially when society and film show gorier films. However, it is possible with elementary school and honestly that is where some of my best Halloween memories come from.