The power went out on my block the other day, and even though it meant being without electricity, the internet and heat on a chilly morning, it was worth it because it also meant my neighbors couldn’t operate their annoying inflatable Halloween display.
I hate Halloween. I know I’m not the only one.
I hate Halloween, and all that goes with it, from the creepy costumes to the pagan pageantry and the little beggars with buckets banging on my door for candy.
Oh sure, I’ll give them some Jolly Ranchers and tell them how cute their costumes are.
But deep down, I loathe the spooky spectacle and can’t wait for Nov 1.
So, when I read that officials from a town in New Jersey want to ban in-class Halloween festivities, the idea made me glow like a jack-o’-lantern.
Officials at the South Orange & Maplewood School District sent out a letter to parents last week explaining why they would not be allowing in-class Halloween festivities.
Administrators said that doing away with costumes in school would further the district’s commitment to equity and inclusion among students.
“We believe it is important, moving forward, that we implement a consistent approach that is respectful and inclusive of all families,” Superintendent Ronald Taylor said in the letter.
In trying to determine the right approach, he said the district came up with three crucial questions:
“Is promoting school-sponsored Halloween activities creating indirect and unintentional financial hardships for students and families?
“Do school-sponsored Halloween activities violate the dignity of some of our students and families, either culturally or religiously?
“Does the promotion of school-sponsored Halloween activities create tensions with the equity and access values of the [South Orange & Maplewood School District]?”
Just one yes answer was enough to elicit the change.
Under the new rules, the district schools will not have any Halloween-themed events during school hours, and no costumes will be worn during school those same times.
Schools can partner with Parent Teacher Associations or other outside groups to do themed events after school hours.
To some, the idea of a Halloween ban sounds like wokeness on a candy sugar rush.
Among those against the idea is New Jersey’s Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.
“Seriously? We can’t let kids celebrate Halloween?” Murphy tweeted. “Give me a break.”
Frankly, Halloween is getting out of hand. Not everybody wants to see headstones on a neighbor’s lawn or the grim reaper lurking behind the bushes.
It feels like it’s being forced down our throats, along with pumpkin-spiced lattes and pumpkin-spiced Cheerios.
Many say the same thing about Christmas, for which many stores are already preparing.
But at least Christmas is an actual holiday with deep religious roots. Not everyone has been seduced by its commercialism. And if you want to ban Christmas celebrations during school hours, that’s probably not a bad idea either.
The Halloween ban is not without precedent. In 2021, the East Lansing public school district in Michigan canceled Halloween and Valentine’s Day celebrations.
The idea has met with some resistance. A school district in Northborough, Mass., reversed a decision to cancel a Halloween parade after some parents pushed back.
No one in New Jersey is saying kids can’t celebrate Halloween. Just not during school hours.
So, all you would-be Barbies can just relax. You Spider-Men can take a seat.
Just be respectful and keep it safe. And remember, just because he’s going out with Taylor Swift, a Travis Kelce jersey doesn’t count as a Halloween costume.
Trick or treat? A school ban sounds like a treat to me.
Hating on Halloween: Why a New Jersey school ban is a treat and not a trick
5
1
29.10.2023
The power went out on my block the other day, and even though it meant being without electricity, the internet and heat on a chilly morning, it was worth it because it also meant my neighbors couldn’t operate their annoying inflatable Halloween display.
I hate Halloween. I know I’m not the only one.
I hate Halloween, and all that goes with it, from the creepy costumes to the pagan pageantry and the little beggars with buckets banging on my door for candy.
Oh sure, I’ll give them some Jolly Ranchers and tell them how cute their costumes are.
But deep down, I loathe the spooky spectacle and can’t wait for Nov 1.
So, when I read that officials from a town in New Jersey want to ban in-class Halloween festivities, the idea made me glow like a jack-o’-lantern.
Officials at the South Orange & Maplewood School District sent out a letter to parents last week explaining why they would not be allowing in-class Halloween........
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