Halloween Message to Families

Please read down for all the information you need to know about our school's celebration of Halloween!

Thank you for your cooperation! We are looking forward to a safe, fun, & spooky day at school!

- The Head Wizard 👻

Mr. P. Linklater

1. Avoid violent or bloody images. It is okay to look "scary," but there is a difference between frightening and gruesome.

2. Please leave any masks at home for this day. Makeup should be minimal and applied at home.

3. Props (if any) must be easily manageable, particularly in the classroom.

4. Weapons (replicas) of any kind are not permitted.

This article was published in 2017 in Today's Parent. Some things to consider as we move closer to Halloween.

10 Questions to consider to determine if your child's costume is respectful

1. Does the costume represent a mythical creature, an animal or an object, a fictional or imaginary character (film, TV, comic book)?

2. Does the costume represent something that does not exist? (E.g. a surfing shark, a fuschia Martian, etc.)

If you answered "Yes" to either of these questions, then the costume is probably OK. But don't stop there. Read on—there's more.

3. Does the costume make reference to a culture that is not my own (e.g. a feather headdress which resembles a First Nations ceremonial headdress, a kimono, a turban)?

4. Does the costume include spiritual or religious symbols?

5. Does the costume require your kid to change the colour of their skin to resemble

someone who is not from the same background as them?

6. Does the costume's packaging contain words like "tribal," "warrior," or any references to a group of people identifiable by their origin ("African," "Chinese," or "Mexican,") or their culture ("Rasta," or "Gypsy")?

7. Does the costume represent a stereotype, a caricature or generalizations about a group of people?

8. Is the costume based on tragic historical moments or violent acts which really took place (e.g. "slave" or "cowboy and Indian" costumes)?

9. If the costume represents another gender than your child's (for example, your son wants to dress up as a girl), what is the intention? Is it to look ridiculous? Is it to mock the bodies or mannerisms of others? Does the costume mock transgender people?

10. Is the costume of someone who really exists? Is this person vulnerable? Were they a victim of injustice or oppression? If the person who I'm representing saw my costume, would they be hurt?

If you responded "Yes" to even just one of questions #3 through #10, you may want to consider finding a new costume.

Thursday October 31st @ 9:00 am

Parents/Guardians and young children are invited to stay and watch in the front courtyard. Primary classes walk first and Intermediates watch along the walls of pods. Intermediate classes will walk second as Primary classes watch.

Please remember that due to privacy issues, please refrain from taking pictures during the parade.

On Thursday, October 31 first thing in the morning, students are invited to bring their carved pumpkin (labelled with their name and division) to the courtyard outside the office and place it on the table labeled with their category.

Here are the three categories:

1. Silly/Cute
2. Creative
3. Traditional

Families, please be mindful that the pumpkins will be viewed by the entire school community. We are asking that you use your best judgement when planning your design. No candles please.

Students who participate will receive a little treat at the end of the day for their efforts.

🕷 Fun crafts with stuff you really do have around the house

🍪 A quick and easy recipe for green monster sprinkle cookies

🎶 A clean, fun Halloween-themed playlist