POLL: Should schools do away with Halloween celebrations?
The silly season has arrived a little early this year.
Yes, it’s that time of the year when the fear of hurting sensitivities over traditional holidays is all too prominent.
One district in particular got the ball rolling this week when in Maplewood one elementary school decided, at first to cancel Halloween celebrations, only to overturn that decision.
The principal of the Seth Boyden Elementary School, Mark Quiles, had sent a note home to parents telling them that the annual Halloween celebration at the school would be cancelled due to the diversity of the district.
Yes, because the district is diverse – the district had decided to cancel Halloween for fear of ruffling feathers.
“We have a very diverse school district,” district spokeswoman Suzanne Turner said today.
“Every year, we have students who opt out of the [Halloween celebration] and the principal felt that number was significant enough,” to discontinue the event, she said.
However that all changed when the Superintendent of the district, James Memoli decided to allow the event to take place, saying, in effect, that the decision demands a “broader discussion.”
Well, the broader discussion should not be about catering to the few, but why are we seeking to eliminate the celebration for the many who look forward to it each year?
Halloween is supposed to be all about fun. About letting children let their imaginations run wild and dress in garish costumes.
It would seem to me that the “minority” of students whose parents would be offended by the celebration would fear reprisal from other parents should they (the offended ones) arrange to have their children not take part.
That’s all well and good.
But as is the case with most everything else we commemorate in this state and in the country at large – why take it away from the majority that looks forward to it every year?
Diversity – it truly is a wonderful concept! (Insert sarcasm here!)
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