Halloween banned in Washington School District

DeltaSigStan · #1 10-22-2004, 06:38 PM

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME..........

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...d_halloween_dc

SEATTLE (Reuters) - A Washington state school district has banned Halloween parties during the school day because it says children dressed up as goblins and witches take time away from learning, officials said on Thursday.

"Our number one priority is protecting the instructional day," said Puyallup School District Superintendent Tony Apostle after the district canceled observance of the Oct. 31 celebration.

Apostle said the 20,000-student district, located about 30 miles south of Seattle, doesn't have enough time in the day as it is to teach students everything they need to know.

District spokeswoman Karen Hansen said most Puyallup schools haven't had Halloween celebrations or observations for years.

Schools that want to have Halloween parties are welcome to have them, she said, but only after the school day ends.

IowaStatePhiPsi · #2 10-23-2004, 01:25 AM

If schools are for parties, then what are clubs for? learning? Unlike the no-more-recess rulings in (Seattle?), I agree with this one.

AGDee · #3 10-23-2004, 09:08 AM

Maybe some of our teachers will chime in here, but, as the mother of two kids, I doubt they can get much learning done when children are hyper and excited about a holiday. I take more issue with the last week of school when they do NOTHING but go on picnics, field trips, etc. Then again, the kids have probably mentally "checked out for summer" by then and keeping them focused is probably a monumental task (if not impossible).

Dee

dzfan · #4 10-25-2004, 12:34 PM

one of my favorite school memories was all the festivities during the holidays! All the yummy food too

Stinks that kids may not be able to enjoy it-isn't that what being a kid is for?

IowaStatePhiPsi · #5 10-25-2004, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dzfan
one of my favorite school memories was all the festivities during the holidays! All the yummy food too Stinks that kids may not be able to enjoy it

one of my favorite school memories was learning in class. Stinks that kids may not be able to enjoy it.

valkyrie · #6 10-25-2004, 12:54 PM

If they don't have enough time in the day to teach students everything they need to know, they have bigger problems than a little Halloween party.

The administrators need to lighten up -- school is not only about book learning -- it's also about learning social skills and how to get along with others. A little party is the perfect opportunity for that.

aephi alum · #7 10-25-2004, 12:54 PM

School districts are doing away with art, music, even recess - anything that's not heads-down, 3 R's learning. Is this surprising?

I think it will be counterproductive, though. The kids are going to sit in class on Friday thinking about Halloween parties and trick-or-treating, not their lessons - whether they can have parties in class or not.

cash78mere · #8 10-25-2004, 04:48 PM

my school is not allowed to have halloween parties.

we are kind of getting around this by having a fall festival--but no costumes, ghosts, witches, etc

Tom Earp · #9 10-25-2004, 05:40 PM

Being PC is getting over the Friggen top.

Hell sue them and take it to the supreme Court.

Seems to be idioticy at its best.

But, of course, In my day, did not know what a chool bus was, you went to the nearest school. You didnt have late classes (8 Th Hrs) you just didnt screw up. If you did oh oh.

Holloween was when you got home just filled with anticipation and went out into your neighborhood, not being car loaded into an area. You had your Parents walking with you.

Maybe it is because of commercalism and greed.

I do not give anything to anyone when I see a car cruising the neighborhood with kids that come from all over. I know my neighbors and will be happy to give to them for fun. It isnt fun anymore. It is kids learning Greed from the parents.

If it is so safe, then why do shopping centers do Holloween for kids???

AKA_Monet · #10 10-25-2004, 07:36 PM

Lemme tell you all that Pullyallolipop [sic] school district doesn't have a whole bunch of money to begin with... So they district probably cut the partying because they didn't want the candy bill... Which does make it full of isht... But, that is why it can get so lame up here so fast--too much touchy feely hoo haw bureaucracy--that's why the state government needs a change...