Thankfully Halloween is a holiday that let's us celebrate without attachments (outside of the obligatory candy when greeted by trick-or-treaters). There are no religious, romantic or commemorative meanings to it...it is just a holiday that is plain-ol-fun. Naturally, it is a favorite for both kids and adults (myself included).
Sadly, last week when Hubby and I walked through the hallways of the boys' elementary school there was not one Jack-o-Lantern, bat, witch or black cat in sight! Who doesn't remember cutting out eyes, a nose and a toothy smile from black construction paper to create your very own Jack-o-Lantern as a youth? Apparently my boys' won't, as their school has banned any association to Halloween. From what I have gathered this is a school-based decision and not mandated by the county (at least the county as some sense).
Since I have learned of this dreadful sanction I having been trying to rationalize it, but I am still at a loss. Besides being plain-ol-fun (as mentioned before) Halloween gives teachers a chance to incorporate something that is interesting and exciting into their lessons. Could it be that a few overly dramatic parents ruined it for the rest of us? I should hope that our Principal could withstand the heat of a few loud parents with ungrounded concerns. Could it be that the kids get overly excited by Halloween and she felt the need to curb this excitement before it got out of hand? I should hope that our Principal would recognize that youth today grow up too fast and that she should recognize her own duty to steadfastly guard the few things that let students enjoy innocent fun (as their parents had and hopefully their children will). Besides, kids get overly excited, that's what they do...Halloween or no Halloween. I will try to get to the bottom of this before next Halloween rolls around without being an overly dramatic parent myself.
Anyway, school policy aside, the boys have been given the green-light to bring in some non-candy Halloween treats for their classmates. We have had lots of plain-ol-fun designing and assembling the goodie bags. Glassine bags were stamped with skeletons, witches, bats & spiders and then stuffed with treats from Target and Michael's. The bags were finally sewn shut and finished with a Halloween pencil. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the project (they even helped me sew the bags shut) and I am sure they will be even more delighted when they can pass out some much needed Halloween cheer to their classes.
-K
I can't believe the school banned Halloween! That is no fun at all. In my mom's school even the teachers have to each decorate a pumpkin. Glad you were at least able to create some cute Halloween goodies for the boys to bring in.
Posted by: Jeanne | October 29, 2008 at 05:48 AM