School Cancels Halloween

A Pennsylvania elementary school is canceling Halloween … due to its "religious overtones."

Orlando Taylor, principal of Inglewood Elementary School in Towamencin Township, sent a letter to parents telling them that "some holidays observed in the community that are considered by many to be secular (ex. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day) are viewed by others as having religious overtones." Because of this, Taylor has cancelled the school's Halloween parties, costumes and other activities.

One angry parent wrote, "Why deny our elementary school children this right of freedom of expression and celebration of American culture/traditions that most of us experienced in school? It is understandable that academics must come first. However, there should also be opportunities for students to have fun and get the chance to celebrate diversity as well as American traditions as opposed to stripping them all away."

Just yesterday, we had a story about a school that has removed all the sports balls (football, soccer, baseball, etc.) from recess in an effort to keep kids safe (and essentially sucking the fun out of that part of their day)

Now this district is cancelling Halloween because a couple of people consider it religious? I'm thinking the parents that consider it a religious holiday are not going to oppose kids dressing up as Iron Man or a princess and getting some candy. How ridiculous have things gotten since we were kids?

I understand the primary purpose of school is learning. I get it. But to take away the fun is just going to hinder the child's growth. Taking away social situations like trick or treating with their friends, giving a Valentine to a girl or boy they have a little crush on, taking those few awkward steps at a dance, to getting hit in the melon by an errant football. It's all part of growing up!!

People in this country have gotten SO uptight, SO self centered, SO sue happy, that our educators are hindered in their ability to do their jobs. I've talked to some parents over the past year that have begun home schooling (or are considering it). Initially I wondered about the lack of social interaction with other kids hampering them, but with the ridiculous steps some school districts are taking just to placate a couple of overly vocal PARENTS (notice how it's not the kids wanting Halloween and recess to go away), I'm starting to think that alternative education has a lot of value to the kids.

If Halloween is gone because of religious overtones, I'm guessing Christmas is long gone already, as is Easter, Hanukkah, Valentine's Day, and all the rest. There are people who worship the summer solstice, so we might as well cancel summer vacation as well. Let's just put all the kids in padded cubicles with headphones to hear their lesson plan, blinders so they don't see anyone who has different beliefs than they do, and have them do to school every day with no fun activities.

So much for school being the best years of their lives.