Schools Cancel Halloween

[Echo_of_shadows]

I first heard about this last night. I Googled it and decided to share some of what I found.
I apologize if this is posted in the wrong place.

Schools Cancel Halloween

There are a few schools that are canceling Halloween celebrations. The most talked about school seems to be Inglewood Elementary School in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. This school is canceling this celebration because Halloween has "religious overtones." Supposedly, "school districts are barred from promoting religious beliefs, and while they can teach about religious and cultural practices, they cannot sponsor them." As an alternative, some schools are offering "Fall Festivals" earlier in the month.
In San Jose, California, Oak Grove School District Superintendent Jose Manzo said "among the concerns expressed was the financial pressure put on those who don't celebrate the holiday. The decision ultimately came down to the Halloween parade taking too much time away from academics. Even though the actual parade might take an hour, it's a whole day that's lost." A parent in that school district has "called her city councilman to see if he can take any action."
Sporting Hill Elementary in Hampden Township, also in Pennsylvania, will just be having a Fall Festive. Teachers sent a note home late last week, saying they made the decision because "safety is a top priority" for students. The school has also canceled the parade portion of their fall festival for the same reason. Tracy Panzer, communications specialist with the district, said the school recognizes the educational value of the season, but safety is paramount. “We recognize that the education about, and celebration of, seasonal festivals is an important aspect of the elementary setting,” she said. “However, we must do so in a manner that is safe and appropriate for all children.”
There are even schools in Canada that are canceling these celebrations: Hastings School in Winnipeg and McKay Public School in Port Colborne, Ontario.

*If you decide to read up on this yourself, be cautious. I did find a website that had some rather vulgar and lewd comments, and not all of these comments had anything to do with children celebrating.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/09/ph ... ebrations/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/0 ... 71829.html
http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local/hal ... ool/nbLZm/
http://cumberlink.com/news/local/commun ... 963f4.html

[Firebird]

Wow, what will they do next, ban exchanging cards on Valentines day for being too close to Imbolc?
This is the kind of academic relief these kids need in order to be refreshed to return to studies. Do they not spend time doing X-mas activities as well as Chanukah? I remember making a dradel (did I spell that right?) in elementary school, course that was a hundred years ago, but all creative endeavors help the children to absorb material in a different way.
This really sucks, and if my child was in that district...they would be hearing from me!
FF

[SnowCat]

My grandkids have fall break whatever week Halloween falls in, so the school avoids the questions and concerns.

Frosty

[DPhoenix]

I'm all for separation of 'church/religion' and state but I'm of the opinion that in social studies they should give an overview of various religions. It makes it hard to have religious freedom if the teaching of it is suppressed? Not every religion has private schools or churches to teach young people.

I'm sure some of you may disagree... but I'd like to see a semester where each week they teach lessons on Christianity, Judaism, Wicca, Buddhism, Mormons... etc. The only problem I see with that is there's the possibility the teacher may be prejudice against another belief system and paint it in a bad light.

[SnowCat]

I think providing an overview of various belief systems is increasingly important. It doesn't even have to be presented as "religion." It can be presented in a cultural context.

Frosty

[Heartsong]

You know, my partner and I went to the same private, Christian school from first grade to senior year. Every year, we had a Halloween Carnival on the football field. Lots of games, costume contest, haunted hayrides, Pumpkin carving, all kinds of things. Now, by the time we had reaches high school, they were calling Cat Fest (our mascot was the swampcat...I know, boondocks), in order to be politically correct. Granted, we live fairly deep in the southern U.S. Still, it's an interesting contrast.

[DPhoenix]

I think providing an overview of various belief systems is increasingly important. It doesn't even have to be presented as "religion." It can be presented in a cultural context.

Frosty

I like the idea of presenting it in a cultural context. Seems like less pressure to 'pick one' and more room to breath & review then decide from there if one is right for you.

You know, my partner and I went to the same private, Christian school from first grade to senior year. Every year, we had a Halloween Carnival on the football field. Lots of games, costume contest, haunted hayrides, Pumpkin carving, all kinds of things. Now, by the time we had reaches high school, they were calling Cat Fest (our mascot was the swampcat...I know, boondocks), in order to be politically correct. Granted, we live fairly deep in the southern U.S. Still, it's an interesting contrast.

I grew up in a Baptist Church. Sunday School, Weekdays were full of private christian school teaching then Saturday my parents made me go Bible thumping 'soul winning' to ease their conscious for not going themselves. It left me pretty ignorant of other belief systems.

When I turned 19 I began a journey... to study all cultural beliefs and discover the correlating/universal truths. I really wish I had information available to me when I was younger.

[Echo_of_shadows]

I remember a holiday program from elementary school and there were skits on Chanukah and Kwanzaa, as well Christmas. I get the feeling that we're going to be hearing about it being called a "Snow and Ice Festival," or something like that. I also remember us decorating May Poles and dancing around them. I assume that'll be out soon too once somebody realizes that it relates to Beltane.
I think kids aren't going to have any of the fun activities we had when we were in school. Don't they know that "all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy?"

[YanaKhan]

I have the feeling that some people have nothing else to do, but to spend their time wondering how to make others fear witches. I've come across a video in youtube on how Harry Potter books are teaching witchcraft and how dangerous the books are to your children. Is it me, or is this really stupid? After all, Christianity has adopted dozens of pagan traditions and festivals. I don't think children consider Helloween Christian, Pagan, Muslim or whatever festival. They just love dressing up and gathering candy. How is that bad?

[Firebird]

Ya ...a lot of people are freaked out by Halloween, it's really sad, if only they would realize we are honoring our ancestors, And those who have left this realm in the last cycle, How is that bad?
and Candy? YUM....
I had a friend (that I had to walk away from)...that when she became "born again" started preaching the disastrous idea that Halloween was a Devils holiday and she would not let her daughter participate. I felt so sorry for the young girl...who really wanted to play dress up with all her friends...nope! her Mom wasn't having it
Do you think we should for some sort of coalition to inform these schools? Heartsong is a wiz with words...maybe she could type out something? I mean really...when are we going to all get along?

To all who have gone before me..I bless and honor you... Firebird

[Lillady]

Wow that is mindboggling!! Honestly this pisses me off!!! (sorry for offending anybody!) How are our children supposed to learn freedom of religion. Besides in most homes they are Christian and they take their kids trick or treating! This has been a practice for years, decades and the like no matter what religion. It is bad enough the US stopped saying the Pledge of Allegience to bash the Christian religion, now us! So yes ranting here. These schools are going out of their minds with these "rules" tweeking certain things such as this. Last time I checked we still had freedom of religion that was our constitutional right! Oh if my kids didnt live with their dad i would home school them! So ridiculous. Hallloween is awesome! Sorry guys it's my favorite holiday (i am sure yours too) and our New Year so it irritates me even more!

[Echo_of_shadows]

Not only are these kids missing out on a good lesson in tolerance, which we can see the adults in these school districts missed, but they are also missing out on the creativity that dress up and pretend encourages. There's also the lessons of sharing and math. You know: I'll trade you 3 gummy worms for 3 pieces of candy corn. Something like that. I don't know what these people think the kids are going to gain from not celebrating Halloween, but I can see some lessons missed.

[valerian moon]

first of all, on the night of Halloween I happened to have gone to a CHURCH SPONSORED Halloween event which had trick or treating, costumes, food, and bounce houses. It was held at a middle school. And I thought the churches near me were closed minded!
second, that's crap, because they have Christmas celebrations at schools. I've always had Christmas celebrations at school, ever since my first year of going to school. so it's not because of separating churches from the learning environment. it's just about keeping WICCA away from the learning environment.
god forbid the kids be exposed to the evils of acceptance, right?

[valerian moon]

You know: I'll trade you 3 gummy worms for 3 pieces of candy corn. Something like that.

YOU'LL NEVER TAKE MY CANDY CORN AS LONG AS I LIVE!!!!!!!

[p3nathan]

We always celebrated Halloween in school, but the thing is, I don't think a single on of us looked at it in a religious way or were even aware that it was a religious celebration! We all just thought it was a fun time of year where we got to dress up, bob for apples etc. Adults put this stuff on kids with this kind of bull honky; otherwise, it'd be what it should be for kids; purely innocent fun.

This reminded me of something actually. My mum is an English teacher and apparently one of her students was pulled out of class because they were reading Roald Dahl's "The Witches"... as if any of that is even remotely resembling anything that happens in real life witchcraft. Good grief.