Portland school bans Halloween costumes over inequality

passingby said on October 16, 2011 at 6:15 PM

Not all equal - when have we ever been all alike? I remember (yes I am not that old) my grade school at Mary Lion in Tacoma and some had better costumes than others. SO WHAT that is part of life - we cannot all be equal to Bill Gates. Agree just another cut at AMERICAN culture and the kids will not know WHO they are, What history to they have to look to and say I am proud that I am an American - oh sorry I guess that is NOT politically correct anymore.

denkoko said on October 16, 2011 at 3:28 PM

Do ANY of the parents REALLY know the origins of Holloween ???? Me thinks naught.

underserf said on October 16, 2011 at 12:35 AM

Wow, looks like the fundamentalists have their way again - I would imagine the Abrahamists shoved THAT down the rest of our throats the same way they try to make creationism a science...

skok_cush said on October 15, 2011 at 8:30 PM

Well, Libs have already banned God and Santa Claus, May as well ban Witchcraft and Vampires.

Jake-518 said on October 15, 2011 at 4:46 PM

Wow... ridiculous! Poor kids

wmdkitty said on October 15, 2011 at 3:32 PM

Um... I'd like to see the evidence for this "inequality" and such that the principal is citing as his reason.

firesoul said on October 15, 2011 at 1:17 PM

While I, too, think this is ridiculous, at least they aren't banning Halloween and other holidays altogether (I suppose the economic boost from them would be missed). If your children don't get to celebrate at school, then make sure their celebration at home is twice as memorable. I loved school Christmas parties and the like when I was a little kid, but gingerbread houses can be made at home. Maybe get a group of kids together and set something up for them to do outside of school.

mr_conservative said on October 15, 2011 at 12:47 PM

Liberalism - distributing the misery equally...

sues_cheerio said on October 15, 2011 at 12:31 PM

I love your comment, finster. The schools have been cleansing students of American culture for years. It seems like there is so much focus on being inclusive for all cultures and religions, yet American holidays and traditions are pushed out. I was shocked when my kids started school a few years ago and found out that they no longer do Halloween or Christmas parties. I'm sad for my kids who won't have all those wonderful memories of costume parades and decorating gingerbread men. Those used to be the best days at school.

serve said on October 15, 2011 at 10:27 AM

What's the big deal about offending people? Geez, I'm offended every single day from oblivious drivers to Comments. I think most people try to be polite and be courteous to people, but they will be offended at one time or another in their life, so they should be learning healthy ways to deal with their feelings when they eventually become offended.

mnbbrown said on October 15, 2011 at 10:16 AM

I remember back in the 70's (dated myself lol) during holidays we would actually include other religious customes such as jewish activities. We made christmas trees and dradles. We learned about other customs and religions which helped us understand and promoted tolerance. We had a blast! Seems that schools now a days take the easy way out and ban everything rather then educating children. Ignorance is usually taught at home and now the schools are just placating the whole thing. If parents don't like this then there is always private school. Next they will eliminate other countries from history class becuase we might offend someone. Or things form our own countrys history such as slavery and native american history. Truely redicules!

scott_bellevue said on October 15, 2011 at 8:12 AM

Stupid. Absolutely stupid.

tootoo said on October 15, 2011 at 8:00 AM

@wrsawy: And people like you who have been discriminating against them for so long will have a fun time.

serve said on October 15, 2011 at 6:51 AM

What's wrong with kids dressing up in costumes AFTER school & having a Halloween party AFTER school?

vffrwm said on October 15, 2011 at 5:56 AM

See, this is the end of our culture and our society as we know it. All over a bunch of left leaning malcontent earth muffins. I've never heard such garbage in my life. To destroy Holloween fun for the majority of kids is just flat wrong.

finster said on October 15, 2011 at 3:50 AM

How about we start showing a little respect for American culture? And in American culture, we dress up on Halloween.

ldozy1 said on October 15, 2011 at 12:17 AM

Hey.. Our lame district administrator ( Puyallup , WA) a few years ago stopped the same fun because ( in his words)..... "It was disrespectful to those who are Wiccan ".... where do we get these people and why do we let them get away with this type of garbage?????? Wishing you all success in fighting this..

dixiedog said on October 14, 2011 at 9:51 PM

Stupid.

kak55 said on October 14, 2011 at 8:23 PM

Our school did the same thing and I find it so sad for the kids. Even the kids who don't wear a costume are always included in the classroom parties and the parade around the school. A ton of parents come and enjoy it all too and they put the same rule into effect this year and I think it's wrong. If we went to another country I bet they would continue to live life and we would have to adapt. But Heaven forbid if we in America, continue with our traditions. Ugh!

JerryB said on October 14, 2011 at 8:01 PM

Any Mother who can't give up a pack of cigarettes, her drugs or alcohol and go to the 'dollar store" and buy a costumes for her kids should be arrested and jailed for child abuse, stupidity and misappropriation of public funds.

speeadork said on October 14, 2011 at 7:22 PM

Suits and ties and NO BALLS for everyone!!!

lsmith5870400119 said on October 14, 2011 at 7:11 PM

Here we have another example of a feel good society. Next we will stop the winning or losing of games, because someone will feel bad. Who comes up with all this BS?

intrepid1 said on October 14, 2011 at 6:50 PM

Parents should all have their kids dress like the principle and have them go around proclaiming "No costumes!" all day long.

emptynestr said on October 14, 2011 at 6:50 PM

Taking the easy way out. That's what. Let kids be kids and have fun. If kids can't afford a costume then get creative and make one. Grocery sacks make good costumes. Just use your imagination. Use make up or whatever one can find to put together a crazy costume. Get one at a thrift shop. Come on. This is really stupid. Let them borrow one from others or have a left over Halloween costume drive for kids who can't afford costumes. You just don't NOT DO it. (Personally I dislike Halloween but that's beside the point). And if some kids don't believe in or want to dress up so what? Why make the rest do without all the fun. Heck dress up in your mom's (or Dad's) old clothes like I used to when I was a kid. Where there's a will there's a way.

baristababy said on October 14, 2011 at 6:06 PM

my family and i don't celebrate Halloween, we never have. that being said, i don't care if kids dress up! my kids don't feel left out, and it really doesn't seem fair to put a damper on other kids fun just because a few kids and parents don't want to participate. sometimes i think parents need to get a grip!

thinksmart said on October 14, 2011 at 5:07 PM

@remainingreal: The answer to your question; "Why aren't children allowed to be children?" ...... Is that there are too many adults that currently fill that category.

andyblue555 said on October 14, 2011 at 5:03 PM

Compressible??? That should read compromise. LOL!

andyblue555 said on October 14, 2011 at 5:01 PM

I can see his intention being that so many children are food deficient as it is some can not afford to buy costumes. I would be heartbroken watching some kids sitting without anything. A compressible would have been having people bring in costume making supplies and have all the students make their own but that would be common sense and we as a society would rather just say no and dash all excitement children might have on Halloween. Sounds like a fun school. Do they already have a list of offenses to send children home ready for the Christmas holiday too?

Shelley_Robi3aa said on October 14, 2011 at 4:36 PM

This is pretty sad. Halloween has been known all over the world since the middle ages or longer. The American tradition of carving pumpkins was first known to coincide with harvest time, dating back to 1837. How much more good times are we going to take away from the children that do want to celebrate a holiday ... no one said the majority had to agree!

skwish-e said on October 14, 2011 at 3:34 PM

I say, let them wear costumes every day, not just on Halloween. As long as they don't disrupt class, and do their work, that is.

homerj said on October 14, 2011 at 3:25 PM

and to puyallup....ya hit the nail on the head...life is hard, either learn to adapt or learn to complain...guess we know where we are headed.

mcrain092 said on October 14, 2011 at 3:12 PM

Hallelujah puyallup!!!!!!!!!! I think you just said it best!! haha... that is how the world works.. some have more, some have less. Couldn't have said it better myself!

puyallup said on October 14, 2011 at 2:59 PM

When I went to high school, most of the kids had cars. I had to walk to school. Maybe they should have banned all cars to avoid offending those, like myself, who could not afford one. Of course, then, it never occurred to me that I should have been offended. That was just the way the world worked--some had more, some had less.

remainingreal said on October 14, 2011 at 2:50 PM

Why aren't children allowed to be children?

remainingreal said on October 14, 2011 at 2:49 PM

@tugthug-I am OFFENDED that you won't comment! [See, you'll always offend someone no matter what.] Cheers!

SuperDave said on October 14, 2011 at 2:43 PM

superintendent@pps.net

CaptainLarry said on October 14, 2011 at 2:37 PM

said parent Matt Callanan. “I'm a traditionalist at heart; I love the idea of my kids wearing a Halloween costume to school. But I really trust my principal's judgment.” Well Matt, who is the Dad here? Are you always going to defer to The School when making parenting decisions or life choices? Stop abdicating your rightful position and tell the Principal what YOU want, it is after all YOUR school (you paid for it) and their YOUR kids not his.

puddlebubbles said on October 14, 2011 at 2:24 PM

I am hearing almost 99% against this. Why is it happening? Why does the other 1% tell the rest of us how to live???

finngirl60 said on October 14, 2011 at 2:21 PM

This really doesn't surprise me...I love how the local schools where I live celebrate cino d mayo ever year. If they don't want to take part That's your business, don't do it but why do they spoil itfor the rest.This country is becomingmore like mother Russia every day.

stargirl111 said on October 14, 2011 at 2:20 PM

This is just dumb. Let the kids wear costumes to school. I can say growing up we didnt have alot of money. But i was always able to have some kind of halloween costume. (usually homemade which most the time are better than what you can buy.) Dont take fun away.

SuperDave said on October 14, 2011 at 2:19 PM

I am tired of giving up the things i like to do because somebody's worried about sombody else being offended. Welcome to America, this is how things are done here. Celebrate with us if you like, but don't feel you have to. At the same time, PLEASE respect OUR traditions, OUR heritage and OUR rights as we respect yours.

puddlebubbles said on October 14, 2011 at 2:03 PM

When I was in school, The religious that didn't want to participate went to a separte class for the day. No harm done.

puddlebubbles said on October 14, 2011 at 1:56 PM

@ Aizia. You are so right!! Mine too!

puddlebubbles said on October 14, 2011 at 1:55 PM

Here we go again. One set of people don't agree with others so they are going to change the way EVERYBODY does things. It all come right back to having to be submissive to those that don't like the way we are, because that's not the way THEY do things. So, we must all do what makes that sad, miserable, rude, controlling person FEEL better. Changing AMERICA this way will take away all Holidays, and therefore, vacations. I feel bad for the principal. He has to deal with all the winey parents that feel their little angel will be left out. I say 'Teach them what the world is really like out here so it won’t be such a shock when they step out on there own'. A good role model prepares a child for the real world, not cottles them for failure later. It ain't exactly rainbows and unicorns out here people.

jgcimino said on October 14, 2011 at 1:53 PM

Were it up to me, I'd expel all the children who couldn't dress up for economic or religious reasons. The religious kids needs to be home schooled like all the other overprotected, neutered churchies, and the poor children can easily get scholarships to prep schools much better than public options. Freaks should have no say whatsoever.

mcrain092 said on October 14, 2011 at 1:52 PM

Kids love to wear there costumes to school on Halloween! I remember when I was that young there were kids that just didn't wear them because they were too cold or too elaborate or whatever orr even kids that didn't have one period and no one was feeling "left out". School still had a party and THAT included everyone... Costume or not. I am outraged that they are telling kids they may b sent home if they come dressed up..... Taking away a fun time for kids who work hard all year at school! What's next.. no Christmas break because of cultural reasons??

tugthug said on October 14, 2011 at 1:45 PM

"Cultural Differences" ? To H**l with them I say! Bring on Halloween! Sorry, but I had to say it because I am an AMERICAN!

gar57 said on October 14, 2011 at 1:44 PM

Are we sure this isn't just an episode of Portlandia?

juliajae said on October 14, 2011 at 1:42 PM

@LeftInKingCo: I agree completely. We are PC-ing ourselves into a gray colored nation of no tradition.

tugthug said on October 14, 2011 at 1:42 PM

I don't want to offend anyone here so I will not comment!

rainydave said on October 14, 2011 at 1:34 PM

When I was a kid I didn't want to dress up. So this would have been fine with me. Note he isn't banning costumes, he is asking them to not wear costumes. I think this whole article is choppy and confusing. So, who knows what the whole story is.

Redeemed said on October 14, 2011 at 1:30 PM

really why doesn't the school provide a brown paper bags, siccors and crayons for the childern and all them all to make their own costume, instead of saying no. Can't anyone find a solution other than NO costumes?

taylorwood said on October 14, 2011 at 1:20 PM

Another prime example of liberalism run amok.

aziza said on October 14, 2011 at 1:19 PM

But celebrating Harvest TIme is against my religion!

grizzlyironbear said on October 14, 2011 at 1:18 PM

You want equality fine. Have it. However, the MAJORITY should never be put to suffer being told that we can't have our time honored traditions due to a minority of parents finding offense or the refusal to accept the holiday. We were FOUNDED upon the right to express ourselves in the manner we see fit and have that right NOT infringed upon, or told that we can't due to someone else finding it offensive. This is just the beginning of all of our personal freedoms being taken away from us, one at a time over a single voice deciding that the majority is wrong.

stryker said on October 14, 2011 at 1:14 PM

Im going as Lady Gadiva this year.

LeftInKingCo said on October 14, 2011 at 1:08 PM

I take issue with diluting, and even eliminating, American traditional holidays to accommodate newcomers to our country. I would not expect that schools in a foreign country would alter their observance of long-standing holidays to accommodate American students who are unfamiliar with that event. Halloween for kids is meant to be a playful holiday during which they can be kids. Guess that is one more opportunity for fun that is gone from our culture so someone is not offended. A "Harvest Celebration" is not the same no matter how many cookies you bake in the shape of pumpkins.

stonetrails said on October 14, 2011 at 1:05 PM

"A child who shows up for school in costume runs the risk of being sent home." I find this wrong, anti-American, communistic, Orwellian, and it leaves me feeling disgust for the lawmakers and politicians in America.