As a teacher and member of many groups I get numerous emails where people share what is going on in their schools and districts so on Halloween I decided I need to comment on one of these. Here is a part of the email sent by a school principal to her staff:

FYI. I found a copy of a haunted house drawing near the copying machine this morning. I am not sure who ran copies or what it was for but as a reminder, there should be no class activities or worksheets with references to Halloween or any other holiday that may or may not be recognized by our families. Our district has moved away from these types of activities. All student work should be curriculum based. See me with questions or concerns. Thanks everyone.

I have fond memories of being a kid and the Halloween Parade where everyone dressed in costume.  I had a teacher who taught us how to draw a haunted house- great activity teaching about the importance of adding detail which can be a connection to improving writing.

The funny thing is I was always meant to believe that the reason Halloween was a “bad” holiday was because it celebrated devils & demons & witches.  In kindergarten I was witch (my mom always wanted a girl).  So what schools now embrace Halloween and let the kids dress up- Catholic Schools.  Probably not all, but I just find it amusing that the schools that celebrate a “devil’s holiday” are church schools.

Since Halloween as a “holiday” isn’t really a religious celebration – that would be “All Saint’s Day”- Nov. 1- What is the harm in letting kids use their imagination and pretend?  That was what was so cool (and why some adults love Halloween) you got to be someone else for a day.

Like I tell my students- one bad apple can ruin the bunch- all it took was one parent to get upset somewhere and threaten to sue and “wham!” “Bye bye Halloween & Christmas & any holiday not tied to the curriculum.”  Finally before I step down from my soapbox- It isn’t like these kids are going to kept away from seeing anything dealing with Halloween (unless the parents lock them in a closet for the entire month – Someone call Child Protective Services- quick!) or that the teacher is going to spend every minute of every day in entire month of October talking about Halloween.  I guess I should just feel sorry for these kids who never get a chance to use their imagination and spend even part of a day embracing fantasy.

In Third Grade I was Big Bird from Sesame Street... I'm sure someone in my class became an ax murderer because of this costume.
In Third Grade I was Big Bird from Sesame Street... I'm sure someone in my class became an ax murderer because of this costume.

What is Wrong with the World? (part 1)
Posted on October 31, 2009 by Bruce
As a teacher and member of many groups I get numerous emails where people share what is going on in their schools and districts so on Halloween I decided I need to comment on one of these. Here is a part of the email sent by a school principal to her staff: FYI. I found a copy of a haunted house drawing near the copying machine this morning. I am not sure who ran copies or what it was for but as a reminder, there should be no class activities or worksheets with references to Halloween or any other holiday that may or may not be recognized by our families. Our district has moved away from these types of activities. All student work should be curriculum based. See me with questions or concerns. Thanks everyone. I have fond memories of being a kid and the Halloween Parade where everyone dressed in costume.  I had a teacher who taught us how to draw a haunted house- great activity teaching about the importance of adding detail which can be a connection to improving writing. The funny thing is I was always meant to believe that the reason Halloween was a "bad" holiday was because it celebrated devils & demons & witches.  In kindergarten I was witch (my mom always wanted a girl).  So what schools now embrace Halloween and let the kids dress up- Catholic Schools.  Probably not all, but I just find it amusing that the schools that celebrate a "devil's holiday" are church schools. Since Halloween as a "holiday" isn't really a religious celebration - that would be "All Saint's Day"- Nov. 1- What is the harm in letting kids use their imagination and pretend?  That was what was so cool (and why some adults love Halloween) you got to be someone else for a day. Like I tell my students- one bad apple can ruin the bunch- all it took was one parent to get upset somewhere and threaten to sue and "wham!" "Bye bye Halloween & Christmas & any holiday not tied to the curriculum."  Finally before I step down from my soapbox- It isn't like these kids are going to kept away from seeing anything dealing with Halloween (unless the parents lock them in a closet for the entire month - Someone call Child Protective Services- quick!) or that the teacher is going to spend every minute of every day in entire month of October talking about Halloween.  I guess I should just feel sorry for these kids who never get a chance to use their imagination and spend even part of a day embracing fantasy.
In Third Grade I was Big Bird from Sesame Street... I'm sure someone in my class became an ax murderer because of this costume.
In Third Grade I was Big Bird from Sesame Street... I'm sure someone in my class became an ax murderer because of this costume.

One thought on “What is Wrong with the World? (part 1)”

  1. krogers-(not the grocery store)

    Loved the Halloween comments! In my nephews school in WV, the kids go home for lunch, put on their costumes, come back to school, parade around the neighborhood, then go back to their classroom to party. What FUN!! When my kids were in K-2 or so–WAY back when you were dressing up like Big Bird holidays were actually part of the curriculum!!

    Just had to share!

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