Halloween is rapidly approaching, and we wanted to let you know what is going on at school and to take a second to ask for your help in selecting appropriate costumes for your children. Students will be allowed to wear their costumes at school all day on Friday, October 30th.    

  

Halloween involves important decisions on costume choice. While dressing up is fun and exciting, it also runs the risk of offending others. Halloween offers the opportunity to discuss costume choices with kids and colleagues. It is important not to inadvertently mimic culture by culturally appropriating racial or ethnic groups.  

   

We are bringing this up at school along with our discussions about diversity, respect, safety, reconciliation, and inclusion. We invite families to continue the conversation at home as so many of us prepare to observe this fun fall occasion.  

  

Please do not send any costumes to school that involve pretend weapons. We also request that costumes do not involve an excessive amount of gore or violent imagery. Please consider that some costumes which are more appropriate for older children may be frightening for younger students, and delicate costumes that are easily ripped or damaged are better saved for the evening. Full face masks will not be allowed. Please encourage face makeup as the full-face masks tend to get damaged during the school day.  

  

We look forward to our costume parade and community walk starting at 1:15pm. Classes will start in the courtyard, followed by a neighborhood walk, and finish by going through the pumpkin walk in the gym. Bring your carved jack-o’-lantern to the gym before school and place it on the stage. Don’t forget to pick up your jack-o’-lantern before you go home! Classroom teachers will be doing a variety of activities with

their classes throughout the day. Teachers will notify their families about specific classroom requests.