Seattle elementary school won't allow costumes on Halloween
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SEATTLE -- Some parents are upset that Halloween costumes won't be allowed at one West Seattle grade school this year.
School officials at Lafayette Elementary School have decided not to allow costumes at school this year.
A unanimous vote by the school staff led to the decision, which was fueled, in part, by the fact that school will be dismissed early on Halloween.
"There are people who feel very strongly that kids should just be able to have fun, and we don't disagree with that, but our primary mission is to educate our kids and make sure that they're ready to graduate from school," said district spokesperson Teresa Whipple.
Seattle Public Schools has no official Halloween policy; the decision is up to each school's principal.
Lafayette's principal Shaunna Heath was not available for comment on Tuesday; however, several parents were eager to voice their opinion.
"I was very disappointed when I heard that," said parent Dianna Palmer. "I actually thought my daughter misunderstood the rule, because she said, 'No, no costumes.' I was a bit shocked, really."
"I wish that it weren't that way, but it's the school's policy. I have to go with it, I suppose," said Genevieve Kostich, another parent.
Lafayette students will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. on Halloween.
School officials at Lafayette Elementary School have decided not to allow costumes at school this year.
A unanimous vote by the school staff led to the decision, which was fueled, in part, by the fact that school will be dismissed early on Halloween.
"There are people who feel very strongly that kids should just be able to have fun, and we don't disagree with that, but our primary mission is to educate our kids and make sure that they're ready to graduate from school," said district spokesperson Teresa Whipple.
Seattle Public Schools has no official Halloween policy; the decision is up to each school's principal.
Lafayette's principal Shaunna Heath was not available for comment on Tuesday; however, several parents were eager to voice their opinion.
"I was very disappointed when I heard that," said parent Dianna Palmer. "I actually thought my daughter misunderstood the rule, because she said, 'No, no costumes.' I was a bit shocked, really."
"I wish that it weren't that way, but it's the school's policy. I have to go with it, I suppose," said Genevieve Kostich, another parent.
Lafayette students will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. on Halloween.
Yes, our children are learning lots of things in school. How the adults have grown intolerant of all of the old traditions and pretty much any of the things that used to make childhood lots of fun. I'm sure glad my kids grew up before all of this because they have lots of fond memories that todays kids will never have of their childhood. It amazes me how so many generations of kids enjoyed these things and still managed to graduate from high school.
oh for petes sake, let the kids where costumes.
"There are people who feel very strongly that kids should just be able to have fun, and we don't disagree with that, but our primary mission is to educate our kids and make sure that they're ready to graduate from school," said district spokesperson Teresa Whipple.
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Education involves social interaction and growth as well as concentration on academics.Â
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I could be wrong but this smacks of pressure from church groups....
If they allow one religion to wear head/face scarves etc, they need to allow a secular religion to wear a costume one day a year. Don't call it a Haloween costume, call it a celebration costume just like it's not Christmas anymore it's a HOLIDAY. Some may not agree with that but the truth is, whenever we are told NOT to do something because of someone else's views and beliefs, we are being discriminated against in my opinion.
Wow I can remember a time when we all got dressed up for Halloween, had a party at the end of the day, and oh yeah, still graduated. If the school is so concerned about that aspect, why are they having half days in the middle of the week? It would seem that cutting a school day in half would be more costly to a child's education than that child dressing up. But then again I grew up in a time where kids went to school five days a week, had a week off at the end of December, and in the spring, with an extra holiday here and there. It seems to me that all these half days and so-called "teachers days" would be more taxing on the child's education than a costume and a couple of pieces of candy. Also I heard that the other reason for getting rid of costumes was to be sensitive to children who's families come from cultures that don't celebrate Halloween. Well, Halloween is part of American culture. Maybe those families should start thinking about being apart of the American culture instead of expecting everyone else to kowtow to their old world traditions.
I have mixed feelings about this- I can remember being allowed to dress up at one school but not at any of the others I attended during my elementary days. I know the kids have fun when they are dressed up, yet I also know not a lot of work gets done. I have the feeling this is more about the rights of a few than the wants of the majority- I'm sure a parent or teacher has said it is against their religion and now the school has to figure out what to do so as not to be sued. My children are in 2nd and 9th grade and neither one of them has even been able to dress up for Halloween at school- not dressing up at school isn't hurting them though..............
If the reason is that school is serious business and Halloween should not disrupt the goal of preparing children for graduation, why is it that children are dismissed early?
I remember how much fun I had dressing up for school on Halloween, but those were the days before school shootings. I understand why they are doing this but I think they should have some kind of after school Halloween party with the kids and parents.Â
*Shouldnt
This is just wrong. Schools should be doing this. There's no harm in it.
Remember "America"? That was fun, we should totally get together and do that again sometime.
It is a news story because some parents at Lafayette Elementary use their children's school as a forum for their own political opinions/attention seeking dysfunction. Shameless.Â
Oh, and is this a middle school or an elementary school? Â Your headline says middle school but the article clearly states Lafayette Elementary School. Â Apparently whoever wrote and edited this piece had too many Halloween parties during school.
Wow. Â We always wore costumes on Halloween. Â Heck, we even had a big party. Â And somehow, we all came out educated and ready to go on to college...how did that happen?
I guess they could have offered a reason. Issues in the past? Teenagers wearing provocative costumes? I would protest by all wearing the exact same thing: a pair of black rimmed glasses (Potter style), a santa hat - can't argue it is a halloween costume, ... something along those lines ;-) Â
Slow news day?
Just dress them up like cowboys....they can't argue its a costume. Heck with clothes these days hard to tell the difference
So why is this an issue? Why is this even newsworthy? So they won't allow costumes. So what?
 @Zoso Well you know, anytime someone says people can't just do anything that pops into their minds at any and all times it apparently is a threat to ALL of our freedoms enshrined in the constitution. And it's NEVER a slow news day in the world in general, our local media just sticks to the really low hanging fruit. Â