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Halloween at school - A do or a don't?
Filed under: Preschoolers, Big Kids, Tweens, Holidays, Day Care & Education
Today we changed the calendar in our classroom. A brand new month with all its possibilities. October, with it's red maple leaves, fat pumpkins and decidedly chilly weather. But while I look forward to October because it is the pinnacle of my favorite season, when the hills turn vermilion and yellow, and the first twinge of wood smoke is in the air, the children love it for a different reason entirely. Halloween.
For children, at least all children who attend mainstream public schools, Halloween is at the zenith of all things adored: fantasy, candy, mystery, and the possibility of being afraid but not too afraid. Already they've been talking about their costumes for weeks, and with the turning of the calendar, we've aquired a new classroom routine: counting down the days.
Today 29, tomorrow 28. And they're pestering me, "Can we have a Halloween party, PULEEEZE?"
As a teacher in a public school I've always sort of dragged my feet on this one. I've let the kids share their excitement, and swap stories about what they're planning to wear for the big night, but I've kind of tried to stay away from having a full blown party in our classroom... because, well, isn't it somehow blurring the separation of church and state?
Almost every year I've had at least one child whose family doesn't celebrate Halloween. And granted, in its current form, decidedly one of the least denominational holidays hyped by the media. Yet it is still a holiday with religious origins, and parents who don't celebrate the holiday have every right to expect that it won't be foisted on their kid at school-right?
Or maybe kids should just be allowed to be kids at school-regardless of what their parents believe? Perhaps they should be allowed to soak up their classmate's excitement and engage in a full-blown Halloween party with sticky popcorn balls and freaky costumes even if their parents don't let them dress up or engage in such activities at home. Forget the Day Of the Dead for a second. The only thing kids care about is the candy anyway. Right?
What do you think? Should kids be allowed to celebrate Halloween in school-or should schools skip such festivities all together?
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ReaderComments (Page 2 of 2)
10-03-2008 @ 2:56PM
Sissy said...When I went to elementary school (in the early 80's), we still had Christmas and Halloween parties. Not Holiday or seasonal celebrations. However, the classroom party was always held in the last 30-45 minutes of the day. That way, the teacher could always say, if we don't concentrate, we wont have enough classtime left for the party. We always got down to classroom business first because we were so afraid we wouldn't have time for our party. Also, any parents who objected to the parties could pick up their kids half an hour early and they wouldn't have to miss any actual classtime. Those parties are still some of my favorite school memories. Kids need to be kids. Let them have their parties.
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10-03-2008 @ 9:01PM
sarah said...My school you can dress up as your favorite teacher
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10-03-2008 @ 7:10PM
Wendy said...I agree with you Leah
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10-03-2008 @ 7:05PM
JoSmiles said...I am a teacher. To be honest, I have chosen not to have parties that are associated with holidays. Instead, I have themed our three parties per year and make them cultural experiences. They come just before a school break. Our fist is a Fiesta that comes on the day before our two-week fall break. We don't have one on our Winter break, then we have a Chinese Festival as we break for Spring. At the end of the year at our Summer break, we have a Luau. The kids love it and there is opportunity to learn about cultures other than their own.
During October, candy and goodies are cheap. At this time, we are studying ancient Mesopotamian civilizations. They did not have money in those civilizations -- they bartered. I tell my students they can participate if they wish -- if they participate, they can bring a bag of some sort of candy to use as barter... they trade candy back and forth in the room with cancy brought by other kids. Some might bring very good candy that many others want while others might bring unpopular candy and find it hard to trade. Some might bring a lot of small candies and have to decide how many of one kind is worth how many of another... just giving them an idea of what bartering is like. Invariably, those who did not bring candy to trade find services they can trade instead. They cannot eat their candy in school.. I staple bags shut and put them up until time to go home.
I also teach The Raven during October. Why? Because it's a fabulous poem that teaches everything a sixth grader needs to know about Poetry -- rhyme pattern, beat, word choice, tone, synbolism, voice -- you name it -- it's there! While some have criticized that The Raven is too difficult for sixth grade, I beg to differ. Every year, every one of my students can end the unit by interpreting every one of The Raven's eighteen stanzas.
Could I do The Raven any other month? Sure. The poem itself is set in the month of December. The students just seem more receptive to in in October, and besides.. October is when we focus on poetry according to our curriculum.
Nothing is done in my class that is not instructive. My students don't complain (Nor do their parents!)
Joanne
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10-03-2008 @ 8:01PM
Katty said...I think its fine to celebrate, within reason.
My son is having a halloween costume parade the morning of the 31st, it coincides with his friday flag ceremony that parents are invited to. His school does not allow cakes, cookies, chips or anything chocolate EVER, so it is not allowed on halloween either. But on that day, we are bringing orange juice and some breakfast-type treats like muffins and parents are allowed to stay and have breakfast with the kids and then costumes come off, parents leave and the kids continue with their day. I think its an easy way to let the kids have some fun but not go overboard with it.
And yes, those against Halloween just need to lighten up a bit, the kids are having fun and that's the point, not everything has to be so darn serious all the time.
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10-05-2008 @ 5:12PM
jessicam21 said...Let children have all the fun they want, Who are we to take the fun out of a child's life... Halloween doesnt have to be all about blood and gore. Its a chance for them to get out with friends and have a good time.. And enjoy something that almost every child loves which is candy!
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10-19-2008 @ 10:00PM
Amanda said...I am an first year teacher in an elementary school and I have one student whose parents forbid anything to go on in the classroom that has ties to halloween. It is difficult on my part because the other students are excited about it. I personally believe that dressing up on Halloween is alright because it is the meaning behind of it. Many christians want to yell that it is a pagan holiday, but we put christmas trees up, right? Christmas trees have pagan roots as well. My point is that I do not see the harm in participating in a fun event if the intention is to have fun. Now, with that said, I also respect the parents wishes and keep my Halloween activities to decorating a pumpkin then using descriptive writing to describe our creations. I do not use ghost or witches. However, the principal for the school has announced that every class will have a Halloween party on Halloween. Even if I didn't want to have a party, I will anyway because it is a school wide event. I won't punish my kids (which is how they will see it) because of one child's belief. I have notified the parent and she will not bring him to school that day. I think we will never have a complete absense of any holiday in the school no matter how much the government pushes. In my school we still even have the lord's supper's prayer before lunch. I think if the parent wants complete control over the classroom then they should homeschool. It's sad to say, but it's true.
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10-26-2008 @ 6:44PM
len said...my 7 year old son is in 2nd grade. we just found out last night at parent teacher conference that my sons class will not have a halloween party in his classroom because one set of parents dont beleive in that and its against their religion.. i was somewhat upset about that because its a fun time for all children.. shouldnt the rest of the class be able to enjoy a little something later in the day pertaining to halloween..??? the teacher said its best to just bring in some treats for the kids.. but they will not be able to have a halloween party.. what do you all think about this>>?? thanks
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