An elementary school in Charlotte, Michigan, has reversed its ban on Halloween costumes and parties at school less than a week after it instituted the policy after receiving backlash from parents.
Galewood Elementary School Principal Steve Chartier sent an email last week informing parents that there would be “changes to the way Halloween is being recognized this school year” in an attempt to “protect educational time,” The Lansing State Journal reported.
October 31 is a half-day for the school district.
Chartier wrote that “Classroom-based Halloween-themed instructional centers will be implemented via staff discretion,” but that there would be no classroom parties or Halloween costume parade. There would also be no costumes allowed. Chartier instead encouraged both students and staff to dress in orange and black — traditional Halloween colors.
Parents of students at the school said the policy was not in place last year and was not implemented in other schools in the district. Parent Eric Frederick emailed the district’s Board of Education to push for the school to reconsider the rule.
Other parents also expressed frustration over the ban, calling it “unfair” and saying they were “super upset.”
Galewood lifted the ban on Friday, sending out an email to parents saying the school recognized that celebrating the holiday was important to families. The email said that parties would be held at the discretion of teachers.
It also reinstated the costume parade, although restricted the use of “toy guns and other paraphernalia that encourage violence” as well as masks worn on the face. Instead, masks must be worn on top of the head.
Frederick said he is happy to hear the ban was reversed.
“That seems to be in line with what the other elementary schools are doing,” he told The Lansing State Journal. “I like the fact that they listened to parents and reconsidered. We got what we were asking for.”
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with Battleground State News and The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
