Celebrating Halloween in Schools

Crisp apples and fat pumpkins, brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges waving from the trees, and cool, sharp breezes signal one thing: Fall is here. And that means costumes, candy, and more candy. Halloween is coming. Children across the country are drawing pumpkins and ghouls in their notebooks, planning their maximum-amount-of-candy routes, and creating their version of the coolest costumes ever. My daughter is no exception.

Yet for many school administrators and teachers, Halloween isn’t as much about enjoying the festivities as it is about surviving the battle. Charles Haynes, Senior scholar at the First Amendment Center, explains it well: “They’re caught in the crossfire between parents who support and parents who oppose Halloween observances in the classroom.”

In an attempt to avoid controversy and appease parents, many schools have chosen to cancel costume parades and Halloween celebrations. While I enjoy Halloween and allowing my daughter to dress up, I can see that perhaps the celebrations of the holiday might be better kept at home. Dave Chilson, principal of Roosevelt Elementary in Binghamton, NY, explains, “We forget sometimes there are kids who feel pressure by dressing up, and that it’s not the best holiday for every kid in the world. You can be a hobo only so many times.”

I do, however, believe that school should be a place of learning and fun. Celebrations can help foster a feeling of community in the classroom, encourage explorations of creativity, and allow everyone to just be a little silly (I especially like that last one). Gratefully, many schools agree. Here are some of the alternate celebrations happening in schools across the country.

Fall-o-ween Festival
Dave Chilson cancelled the Halloween parade at Roosevelt Elementary but replaced it with a Fall-o-ween Festival that celebrates the harvest and seasonal change. This could also be an opportunity for students to bring in different types of food and celebrate cultural differences within the classroom.

Literary Parade
Washington Elementary Schoolin Raleigh, NC, holds a “curriculum-driven” literary parade. Students can still enjoy dressing up while celebrating some of their favorite story book characters. This is also a great way to celebrate literacy.

After-school Carnival
Palmer Elementary school in Denver, CO, sponsors a Halloween Carnival that includes food, fun, and a chance for families to learn and play together. Former principal Mike Crawford explained, “We get a very full house, but those who want to opt out can.” Parents might even use this as a safe and enjoyable alternative to traditional trick-or-treating.

Halloween World History Assembly
Odyssey Charter School in American Fork, UT, holds an assembly where students dress as a person from world history who has made a significant contribution to society. In order to participate, students must write a brief report on their chosen character, answering questions such as “What kind of clothing would the character have worn?.” “What was the character’s major accomplishment or contribution to society?,” and “Why did you pick this character?” This type of celebration can help students correlate learning with having fun.

What kinds of celebrations are happening in your school right now? Leave a comment to let us know!