DH 11/21 Halloween Costumes

[gatormom]

Dist. 204 debates policy on costumes
By Sara Hooker

Indian Prairie Unit District 204 may change its policy on costumes at fall celebrations next year.

The issue came before the board of education at Monday evening’s meeting for the first time by several parents who spoke against the idea during public comment.

Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Donna Crawford said administrators are considering a districtwide change that would move costumed events to after school or in the evening.

Administrators have not made a formal recommendation to the board for consideration.

“Principals are tired of spending time on Halloween controversies rather than on instruction,” Crawford said. “We’d like to put an end to the discussion and be able to concentrate on instruction.”

In the past, principals in each of the district’s 21 elementary schools and six middle schools made that decision on a building-by-building basis.

Parent Kathy Bromer asked board members if costumes are banned, where will the district draw the line at celebration events?

“I believe this is a big issue and I believe it’s bigger than just a (costume) parade,” she said.

Principals at a handful of the district’s schools — including Brooks, Clow, Cowlishaw, and Owen elementary — decided this year to celebrate fall parties in lieu of a Halloween celebration and costume parade.

Board members said they could learn more about the proposal at the next board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the District Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive.

“We’re a little taken by surprise by this and what I’d like to see done is have the administration come back with some sort of rational as to why they think this is important,” board President Jeannette Clark said.

Once board members hear from administrators, then they’ll consider public comment before making a decision, she said.

“We have a year. We don’t need to rush,” member Mark Metzger said.

[doctorwho]

gatormom said:

Dist. 204 debates policy on costumes
By Sara Hooker

Indian Prairie Unit District 204 may change its policy on costumes at fall celebrations next year.

The issue came before the board of education at Monday evening’s meeting for the first time by several parents who spoke against the idea during public comment.

Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Donna Crawford said administrators are considering a districtwide change that would move costumed events to after school or in the evening.

Administrators have not made a formal recommendation to the board for consideration.

“Principals are tired of spending time on Halloween controversies rather than on instruction,” Crawford said. “We’d like to put an end to the discussion and be able to concentrate on instruction.”

In the past, principals in each of the district’s 21 elementary schools and six middle schools made that decision on a building-by-building basis.

Parent Kathy Bromer asked board members if costumes are banned, where will the district draw the line at celebration events?

“I believe this is a big issue and I believe it’s bigger than just a (costume) parade,” she said.

Principals at a handful of the district’s schools — including Brooks, Clow, Cowlishaw, and Owen elementary — decided this year to celebrate fall parties in lieu of a Halloween celebration and costume parade.

Board members said they could learn more about the proposal at the next board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the District Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive.

“We’re a little taken by surprise by this and what I’d like to see done is have the administration come back with some sort of rational as to why they think this is important,” board President Jeannette Clark said.

Once board members hear from administrators, then they’ll consider public comment before making a decision, she said.

“We have a year. We don’t need to rush,” member Mark Metzger said.

Oh yeah - a 'Fall Party' -- that's like a 'Seasonal Event' around Christmas - geez.....I keep getting the feeling we need a Charlie Brown Special for the death of Holidays and celebrations in America. One would have thought Halloween would have survived as it is not based on any one religion - but 'no costumes for you' .......so I guess the 4th of July may not be safe either. I don't even blame these principals as I am sure they get sick of the whining from those who oppose everything.

So once all the celebrations are gone ( no birthday treats already RIP) - then they can turn their attention to sports ( no more keeping score, no dodgeball, nothing exclusionary - anyone who wants to be is on the team, etc. )-

well that's my rant for the morning.

[carol]

First and foremost, hello. I'm new on this board. I was pointed to it by someone from the Brooks principal's blog after I posted a comment regarding the Halloween issue.

I am actually a Kendall elementary parent, and I received this email last Friday (11/17) from our principal, Martha Baumann, explaining what was happening:

Kelli Brouder, Kendall's PTA President, shared earlier today that Donna
Crawford, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education, announced
at Indian Prairie Parent Council yesterday that there would be no more
Halloween ativities during the school day. The information below
further explains. It comes directly from an email that Donna Crawford
sent to principals after making her announcement:

"I announced that Halloween would no longer be celebrated during
school hours in our elementary schools. I passed out copies of Dave
Younce's blog on Halloween ... as an example of positive ways to
support changes in school traditions. I invited all schools to learn
from the Brooks PTA representatives about their experience. I
recognized other schools that have moved in this direction over the
past several years... This was my decision."

The site referenced above is:
principalblogs.typepad.com/daveyounce/2006/10/hallowwow.html

Although I was not in attendance at the IPPC meeting, I understand that
Donna Crawford talked about security related issues and inclusive
activities when she addressed the group regarding her decision.

I appreciate Kelli Brouder's positive leadership as PTA considers other
options for Kendall's students next year. Please let her know if you
would like to participate in that planning.

There are many perspectives to be considered before making a decision
such as this one. The above mentioned blog provides some of them.
Please be assured that Donna Crawford is a reflective administrator
who came to her decision only after careful deliberation.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation.

I am really bothered by this apparently unilateral decision by Ms. Crawford. Frankly, I think it's ridiculous. While I understand that dedicating school time to the three R's is most important, I also believe that the purpose of a public school is to assist in creating future good citizens. Meaning, educating our children in a bland, completely context-less and supposedly "neutral" environment does them no favors.

I would also like to note that although Donna Crawford used the Brooks prinicipal's blog as a supposed example of a "positive change," she neglected to include the posted comments of actual parents who experienced the Brooks after-school event as poorly planned, overly crowded, and difficult to enjoy.

I firmly believe that the Assistant Superintendant's decision was based upon nothing more than fear of lawsuits by a tyrannical, lawsuit-happy minority, no matter how she tries to pretty it up by discussing "inclusion" and "security issues."

For that reason I, for one, intend to protest this idiocy (if it is pushed through) by pulling my daughter out of school on Halloween (along with the children of any like-minded parents), and holding a Halloween party for them.

Edited:The link in the quoted email had an extraneous period. I removed it, and the link should work now.

[bob]

Who has exactly protested the Halloween celebration? I do not know one person who has said that the Halloween party/parade should be stopped.

[momto4]

bob said:

Who has exactly protested the Halloween celebration? I do not know one person who has said that the Halloween party/parade should be stopped.

I have no idea. But see the Brooks' principal's blog at principalblogs.typepad.com/daveyounce/

Brooks does not have Halloween or Valentine's parties anymore. This year there was a "fall party" at the end of September and for a few years now there have been "Earth Day" parties in the spring instead of Valentine's Day.

[carol]

bob said:

Who has exactly protested the Halloween celebration? I do not know one person who has said that the Halloween party/parade should be stopped.

Well, Halloween is Satan's holiday, ya know. Kidding!!!

Anyway, I am sending the school board my thoughts on the topic, as generally outlined above. Yes, I know, lucky them.

If anyone feels inclined to do the same, you can email the entire school board at:

[e-mail]

Or each individual member at:

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

[e-mail]


Happy Thanksgiving! (Is that ok to say?)

[gatormom]

Gombert parents fought hard when the Halloween party was taken away.

I really think this is more in response to standardizing policy among all the schools. Good luck. Too late for my daughter. I had the pleasure of explaining to my 8-year-old that Halloween was no longer PC and sorry, no party for you. She didn't get it.

[momto4]

gatormom said:

Gombert parents fought hard when the Halloween party was taken away.

I really think this is more in response to standardizing policy among all the schools. Good luck. Too late for my daughter. I had the pleasure of explaining to my 8-year-old that Halloween was no longer PC and sorry, no party for you. She didn't get it.

My own six-year-old was astounded and disappointed that Halloween would be a regular school day. I like carol's idea of an "outside of school" party on Halloween if the schools continue on this path.

[doctorwho]

carol said:

bob said:

Who has exactly protested the Halloween celebration? I do not know one person who has said that the Halloween party/parade should be stopped.

Happy Thanksgiving! (Is that ok to say?)

I knew if I looked I would find someone , somewhere protesting --

" The anti-Pilgrim agenda is now national policy. Schools that celebrate Thanksgiving with classroom skits about Pilgrims and Indians do so in violation of federal curriculum guidelines.
"At Thanksgiving, shift the focus away from re-enacting the first Thanksgiving," teachers were warned in an instructional guide published by the Department of Education in 1996. "


www.washingtontimes.com/culture/20031124-091839-8087r.htm


so the question to where will it all end ? the answer is nowhere in sight

[ilove204]

god forbid that kids actually do school work on a school day.

[momto4]

ilove204 said:

god forbid that kids actually do school work on a school day.

Oh give me a break. There are three one hour parties out of 170+ 9:05am-3:35pm school days.

[title1parent]

Hold on, let me get my "Lung Craft" out for all you parents that will be switching to those curriculum based parties. ;D

[Arch]

ilove204 said:

god forbid that kids actually do school work on a school day.

No kidding. For instance, they could be outside breathing second hand smoke in health class from a 'Smoking Suzy' doll in violation of the ISBE tobacco policy.

Now, there was something worth canceling.

[carol]

I received an update from my daughter's principal this morning:

As an update to recent information shared about future Halloween
celebrations during the school day:

At the Schoool Board meeting last Monday, November 20th, the issue was
addressed. Board members said that they would like more information,
including rationale, provided from administration at the December 11th
board meeting. The Board will then consider public comment before
making a decision.

[bubbagump]

I don't recall having "holloween parties" when I went to Grade school....I don't think it scarred me. Then again I went to a Catholic GS and we had Mass on "All Hallowed Eve" instead.
Personally I don't care one way or the other for the parties, but sure seems to be other more weighty issuses to be resolved than a silly party.