This year, schools in the Evanston-Skokie district near Chicago have opted to forgo traditional classroom Halloween festivities. The administration made the decision clear in a message to parents: not every family celebrates Halloween, and they are committed to respecting that diversity. Furthermore, they highlighted the various inequalities linked to Halloween celebrations that can inadvertently affect students, families, and staff negatively.
When the news broke, I saw a wave of mixed reactions from parents and community members, both locally and nationally. After reading numerous comments, including letters to the editor, my conclusion is simple: everyone needs to take a breath. It’s not as if the school district has banned your favorite fall drink from Starbucks—like the Sally or Joker frappuccino.
This trend isn’t confined to one district. Schools across the country are re-evaluating long-standing celebrations to prioritize the well-being of all students. And I’m fully on board with this approach. You might want to be too.
In my own children’s school district, while Halloween parties remain, they’ve implemented a new rule that prohibits food at holiday celebrations, including birthday treats. The reasoning is straightforward: the risk of allergy exposure is too significant, and many families struggle to provide special snacks for large groups.
I personally welcome this food policy. With three of my four children having food allergies, I’m relieved that there’s no longer a chance of cross-contamination. There are countless other ways to celebrate—games, music, and crafts can create a fun atmosphere without the risks associated with food allergies.
I’ve noticed some parents expressing frustration about the food limitations in social media groups. In response, I reminded them how fortunate they are not to have to carry around an expensive Epipen, hoping their child won’t encounter a life-threatening food allergy.
Our schools have also provided guidelines for Halloween costumes, banning weapons, masks, gore, and offensive themes. (Don’t even get me started on the kid who wore a politically charged costume last year. Seriously?) While I understand the rationale behind these rules, I often find myself questioning whether we should celebrate Halloween at school at all.
Before you start composing an angry tweet, let me clarify: I adore holiday celebrations, especially Christmas. My home is adorned with Black Santas and nativity scenes, and we have a tradition of watching festive movies while baking cookies and decorating multiple trees. I’m the person who counts down to Christmas on social media and blasts holiday music the moment Halloween ends.
However, just because I celebrate Christmas enthusiastically at home doesn’t mean my children’s school’s lack of holiday parties ruins the experience for us. I’m an adult; I can handle it. And my kids will be perfectly fine too.
If you’re upset about your child’s school canceling holiday parties, don’t despair. There are myriad alternative ways to celebrate, if you choose to. Consider visiting a pumpkin patch, enjoying a haunted house, or hosting your own bonfire. You could go trick-or-treating, attend a Halloween parade, or simply stay home in pajamas with some hot cocoa, reading Halloween stories and watching classic films like Hocus Pocus.
The reality is that holidays aren’t universally celebrated. This applies to Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Thanksgiving. So why allocate precious school hours to these festivities?
I was reminded of this during a recent visit to our local library. A woman in front of me was discussing American holiday customs with the librarian, mentioning how peculiar she found Thanksgiving. Her comments resonated with me, highlighting that what seems normal to some may not be to others, and that’s entirely acceptable.
Financial pressures surrounding holidays can burden struggling families, which is another reason I support schools in their decisions to cancel certain celebrations. I grew up in a low-income neighborhood where Halloween was an extravagant affair, complete with parades and treats. I remember a classmate, Mia, who couldn’t afford a costume and felt humiliated on that day. It’s crucial that we avoid putting any child in a position where they feel excluded or embarrassed because of their circumstances or beliefs.
And let’s be honest: the hassle of coordinating party details—finding volunteers, organizing crafts, and keeping twenty-plus children entertained for an hour and a half—isn’t for everyone. Wouldn’t you rather spend your vacation days relaxing with family instead of dealing with a room full of sugar-fueled kids?
If you’re among the families who view Halloween as the best holiday ever, that’s great! Enjoy the treats, decorations, and themed costumes while trick-or-treating in your neighborhood. However, for those who don’t resonate with spooky season or holiday cheer for any reason, that’s perfectly fine too.
In summary, the landscape of school celebrations is changing, and it’s important to recognize that not every child or family will engage with these holidays in the same way. The focus should remain on inclusivity and understanding, rather than on enforcing traditions that may not be meaningful to everyone.
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