NJ School District Cancels Halloween – Do You Agree With The Decision?

By Ettore Fantin

October 28, 2023

Halloween is a day that kids and teens all over the world look forward to every year. It is common for students to come dressed up to school and is usually a pretty memorable day. Many schools host special activities such as a “best costume award” or giving out candy to the students. However, one school district has decided against participating in Halloween activities during school hours. We would love to hear what our audience thinks about the situation.

The South Orange & Maplewood School District (SOMSD) has stirred controversy online by announcing the cancellation of Halloween-themed activities in its schools during school hours. The decision, communicated through a letter from Superintendent Dr. Ronald Taylor, has sparked a heated debate among parents and the wider community, as it touches upon issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

SOMSD Letter to Parents

In his letter addressed to SOMSD families, Dr. Taylor emphasized the district’s commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The central argument behind the decision is the district’s desire to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for all students, families, and staff. The letter raised three crucial questions that guided the decision-making process:

Financial Hardships: Is promoting school-sponsored Halloween activities creating indirect and unintentional financial hardships for students and families?

Dignity Violations: Do school-sponsored Halloween activities violate the dignity of some students and families, either culturally or religiously?

Equity and Access: Does the promotion of school-sponsored Halloween activities create tensions with the equity and access values of SOMSD?

SOMSD Decision on Halloween

To address these concerns, the district conducted internal research within its schools to determine their Halloween activity policies. Based on the feedback received, the following procedures will be implemented:

No Halloween-Themed Events During School Hours: Halloween-themed events will no longer take place during school hours.

No Costumes During School Hours: Students will not be allowed to wear costumes during school hours.

Themed Events After School Hours: Schools may collaborate with PTAs, HSAs, or other outside organizations to organize themed events after school hours.

Fall/Harvest Festivals: Elementary schools within SOMSD are encouraged to organize Fall/Harvest Festival events or themed activities that can take place during school hours, ideally on October 31st.

Superintendent Taylor acknowledged that this decision might be uncomfortable for some and could lead to challenges within the community. Still, he maintains that these recommendations align with SOMSD’s commitment to fostering equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging throughout the district.

Reaction to the Halloween Cancellation Announcement

The announcement has prompted a strong reaction from parents and the broader community. Some parents are upset about their children missing out on Halloween activities at school, arguing that these events bring joy and fun to the educational experience. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the potential suppression of cultural traditions and freedoms, as Halloween is a widely celebrated holiday in the United States.

The letter from Superintendent Taylor has gone viral on social media, sparking a heated debate about the balance between promoting inclusivity and respecting cultural traditions. While some believe it is an overreaction, others agree with the problem but not the solution. Many acknowledge that there is inequality, but believe that helping the families in need would be more inclusive than banning the event altogether.

It has to do with the lack of resources for some families who can’t afford to partake in the celebrations during school. So they decide to penalize the entire student body? Maybe, instead of getting rid of it they should be working toward helping those families partake.

— Dina (@Earth_To_Dina) October 24, 2023

What Do You Think?

As the controversy continues to unfold, the South Orange & Maplewood School District finds itself at the intersection of promoting inclusivity and maintaining traditions, leaving many stakeholders pondering the true essence of Halloween in the classroom.

What do you think? Do you agree there is a problem with the way Halloween is celebrated in schools? Do you think this is an appropriate solution? We want to hear from you, let us know on facebook.