Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

and now calls it Harvest Festival. They are not allowed to dress up at all because some of the parents in the school felt it was satanic.

I don't know why but this gets me sooo mad!!!!!!!

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

Are you kidding me? Then they should keep their kids home that day

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

I've heard of these kinds of thing happening over the last few years. It's a shame for all the other kids who liked wearing their costumes

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

No more cupcakes for the kids B-days
No more sitting "Indian style"
No more Halloween.
All of my childhood school memories are going away.

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

It IS a shame!
Someone has to be the one to make a "big deal" about stuff like that and ruin it for everybody. I can't stand that!

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

That's so silly! What a shame to take that away from such young children who want to dress up.

There is nothing remotely satanistic about some toddlers dressing as cowboys, puppies etc.

That makes me so sad

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

there are just so many different religions and beliefs in one classroom now its very diificult to stick to all the Christian traditions. I think its a good idea to make it generic, but i do think there should be a special day for kids to wear costumes etc...it's fun for them regardless of which day.

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

Wait...where did you hear that?

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

That's a shame!

One of my girlfriends makes a point of never discussing Halloween around her MIL because her MIL is a Christian and gets upset that her grandchildren celebrate a "Pagan" holiday. I guess her POV is shared by many.

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

Posted by joenick

Wait...where did you hear that?

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

The school I work for doesnt do Halloween either, we call it a Harvest Party. Children are allowed to dress up, but it mustnt be anything "scary".

The owner is religious and wants no part in Halloween, and I believe she is 100% meeting people in the middle.

I myself will never allow my child to be something "devilish" for Halloween. He will always be allowed to trick or treat, but you'll never catch him as a ghost, demon or devil.

ETA- From a teaching perspective its a major PITA to dress kids in their costume or undress them during potty times, so that may play a role...???

Message edited 8/11/2008 2:05:20 PM.

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

Catholic nursery school, huh?
My principal (when I taught at a catholic school) didn't allow the kids to dress up either because it was against the teachings.

These kids are little. I can't believe they're taking that away from them at such an early age.

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

Aww - that makes me sad. Halloween is so much fun for the kids.

Lucas is a darling devil this year

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

Is it a religious pre-school?

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

I am a Christian, and I see nothing wrong with celebrating Halloween.

I think people get so caught up in self righteousness that they don't see the bigger picture, Halloween is wonderful holiday for the kids to enjoy, we all have wonderful memories of dressing up, and trick or treating with our friends and/or family.

Sorry but this makes annoys me people need to get a grip.

Message edited 8/11/2008 2:26:28 PM.

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

Jillian's school does not do Halloween and Valentines day.. she goes to a temple nursery school and these are considered Secular holidays... on a happy note she does get to wear her costume to school in March for Purim ...a plus

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

that is ridiculous.

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

I guess since it's a religion-based school, then it makes a LITTLE more sense why, but still. Come on.

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

Well hello stepford children. So our children should live bland lives and get rid of anything so they do not offend anyone. I can understand a non scary costume rule. I totally get that, but to take away every thing from these kids is ridiculous.

Kids now a days are not the kids that I was allowed to be. They have to read and write by the time they are out of kindergarten, they become so stressed about all of these standardize tests scores, doing so many extra curricular activities so it will look good for college or get them a scholarship, and carry the stress load of adults it's ridiculous.

They are kids. Dressing up, trick or treating, playing cowboys and indians, sitting indian style, playing hopscotch, drawing outside the lines and not worrying about being perfect are all parts of being kids. Seriously they now have to go from diapers to briefcases

I am sorry to hear Andrew's school is making this sad choice.

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

Is this a non-denominational school? Dressing up does go against several religions, which is why I would think they stopped it.

Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...

My attitude is that if there is a religious reason not to dress up then those specific kids should not dress up and it shouldn't be a general rule. I understand there are a lot of different belief systems out there, but if a parent wants to take a stand so be it, don't penalize other kids. What's with no birthday celebrations? Is that common too? The only religion that comes to my mind when I hear no holloween and no birthdays are the Jehovah's Witnesses. And all the Witnesses I know are pretty proud to stand aside for their beliefs. I knew quite a few back in college. They had no issue going against the grain b/c they had very strong convictions. Growing up Jewish in a very Catholic community I remember not always having the same "beliefs", but it was fine... I still don't believe in everything everyone else believes... what's wrong with teaching kids it's okay to be different? Now we have to teach them - you have to conform to those who used to be considered different. It's wacky.

This stuff reminds me of how now they have kids not "competing" in sports... I am so against that. I believe in competition, some may not, but in my field for work - competition is everywhere and to not have learned how to deal with it as a child it like leaving out one of the most important skills in adulthood. JMO, but I know my DD will be in the sport of her choice competitively. I know - this a whole other topic, but the topic reminded me of it.

Message edited 8/11/2008 3:17:05 PM.