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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Halloween at school

129 replies

Ganainmlondon · 09/10/2020 21:38

We are very disappointed as our child's teacher wanted to have a Halloween celebration of sorts in school as she realised the children were so disappointed that they couldn't trick or treat or have a party with their friends. Our West London school said no as they argued costumes would be a Covid health and safety risk but now they are doing an international language day instead and the kids can dress up as something to do with South America. I'm all for learning more about the world, especially languages but it doesn't mean much to the children and to have T&T at school with their friends would really be something to look forward to in these dark times. Not sure why the school feels costumes are ok for one event in the week and not another. I wish the school would think about what the children need in these times to feel happy and normal.

OP posts:
lanthanum · 09/10/2020 22:12

Not everyone wants to celebrate Halloween. I wouldn't be happy with it being done in school.

Original poster
Ganainmlondon · 09/10/2020 22:23

Its just about giving them a social occasion to have some fun together and make up for what they are missing, along with all the other things they are missing out on. We have kids from many cultural backgrounds we we still celebrate Christmas and Easter, which not all of them want to celebrate, certainly not meaningfully.

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OoohTheStatsDontLie · 09/10/2020 22:27

I wouldn't care about the lack of halloween celebration. It's pretty meaningless and you can re-create it at home if you want to.

I would be pissed off at the schools lack of logic, they can't say dressing up for one event is a covid risk but dressing up for another is fine, unless there are drastically different rules for where the costumes have come from etc

TW2013 · 09/10/2020 22:27

Dress as a skeleton with a mask representing the Day of the Dead, very South American.

Original poster
Ganainmlondon · 09/10/2020 22:31

I like this idea - two birds with one stone!

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Flipflops85 · 09/10/2020 22:31

Children from some cultural backgrounds wouldn’t be allowed to take part. If it’s a multicultural school (not sure if I’ve interpreted that correctly?) it could end up being divisive. It sounds like that’s the opposite of why you’d like it.

Original poster
Ganainmlondon · 09/10/2020 22:33

The point is they can't recreate it at home the way they can at school - at school they can be with all their friends in a bubble, its safe and allowed.

I agree with you about the school, logic is not their strong suit. Or rather, its all about what suits them at the time!

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Original poster
Ganainmlondon · 09/10/2020 22:36

Every parent was happy about the chance for their kids to have some fun as a whole group bubble. They missed out on so much for six months so any opportunity for them to do things together is welcome. Its just activities together; art, craft, spooky stories & poems etc. No one is expecting them to devil worship!

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Flipflops85 · 09/10/2020 22:40

Your opinion on how offensive Halloween is, is pretty regardless. For some people it’s what it represents, and if they don’t want their kids involved it’s their choice.

It’s not on the curriculum, so if it risks excluding some children I can understand why the school said no.

ShinyGreenElephant · 09/10/2020 22:44

You've got to be really careful with Halloween in schools, there's usually always one family who don't approve. Better to avoid it completely than have a child potentially be left out or feel worried / uncomfortable about it surely

MindyStClaire · 09/10/2020 22:52

That's so weird, it's an ancient Celtic festival. I'm sure they celebrate lots of feasts from lots of cultures throughout the year, it's nice to be inclusive.

BikeRunSki · 09/10/2020 22:52

Is it a church school? DD’s school doesn’t celebrate Halloween, because it is anti—Christian, and bans Holiday Club from doing Halloween activities if it falls in half term.

Original poster
Ganainmlondon · 09/10/2020 22:52

Interesting - British values taught at schools say we should teach a mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, and for those without faith. Its important for children to learn about what happens around them - they certainly can't avoid Halloween at this time of year, it dominates shops and the media. No one is teaching them a belief, its just about culture and ideas. All Hallows is a very old celebration which embraces ancient British beliefs and even Christian elements. Its been around a long time, hence it must have cultural merit and substance. Eventually they won't be allowed to enjoy or experience anything!

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Original poster
Ganainmlondon · 09/10/2020 22:55

The school is supposed to be non-denominational but I suspect some decision makers are influenced by their own beliefs. If it is regarded as unacceptable because it is pagan and Celtic, then I suppose Roman Day is off then!

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Beautiful3 · 09/10/2020 23:13

I wouldnt be happy about halloween being celebrated at school. It has to be optional. For me, Halloween is celebrating dark forces.

Flipflops85 · 09/10/2020 23:17

You’re not wanting them to do a history lesson, rooted in British values though (Unless I’ve totally misinterpreted you?). You’re wanting them to dress up as ghouls, ghosts and witches, and tell spooky stories. The modern Halloween bears very little resemblance to the festivals at its roots.

I’m not sure how you’re developing children’s understanding of ancient British civilisations by having a trick or treat party.

With regards to the Romans - that’s part of the history curriculum. Not sure why you think history can’t be taught.

ellieboulou33 · 09/10/2020 23:27

YABU, just because it's all over the media and plastic tat filling the shops it doesn't mean it has to be celebrated in school

My dd's are disappointed that they can't go trick or treating this year one small plus point to Covid, also they attend a CofE school so they wouldn't celebrate it anyway.

Your school are celebrating something educational, you can do the costumes and sweets at home, it's not the end of the world

Original poster
Ganainmlondon · 09/10/2020 23:34

For the last time - its not about the curriculum! Not everything at school is about curriculum learning. School is about also socialising, learning to get along with and work with others, being creative and imaginative, accepting differences, understanding our culture and others, both past and present. This about mental wellbeing at a time when it is under strain, about giving children opportunities to have fun and be creative together when they have lost so many other opportunities this year! Its just a theme that they ALL enjoy. All kids love ghosties and ghoulies. British values are about acceptance and tolerance, and not being narrow minded. Like it or not, Halloween, in whatever shape or form it takes these days, is a part of our culture and the kids get very excited about it. They have being voicing their disappointment since school started that they can't trick or treat and the teacher was just trying to let them experience something fun and normal together in their bubble.

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KingaRoo · 09/10/2020 23:39

"All kids love ghosties and ghoulies".

That's just not true. Both my kids hate anything spooky and I have to be careful eg what to give them to read as they get nightmares.

Not all kids get excited about Halloween.

Celebrate at home. The school have enough to occupy themselves with at the moment!

JaJaDingDong · 09/10/2020 23:40

It's it a C of E or other Christian school?

Original poster
Ganainmlondon · 09/10/2020 23:46

Yes, the teachers do have a lot to do and could do with some levity themselves. There are so many restrictions that the kids can't go on field trips, have any visitors in school, clubs, sports events, even see friends in other bubbles etc. An opportunity to have some fun and a break from the overwhelming Covid routines as group is very welcome. I'm beginning to see why other nations regard we Brits as uptight and not much fun (unless we are drinking of course!)

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Autumngoldleaf · 09/10/2020 23:48

Ridiculous op, it's about change of seasons, pumpkins, witches, gentle stuff....

Autumngoldleaf · 09/10/2020 23:50

I mentioned it Ince for our Oct school disco and was shouted down because who wants primary kids to have blood and gore and scary skeletons!

I was thinking about cute cats and witches, brooms.. Gentle.

Joyless indeed.

MitziK · 09/10/2020 23:50

@Beautiful3

I wouldnt be happy about halloween being celebrated at school. It has to be optional. For me, Halloween is celebrating dark forces.
Pity you didn't have the opportunity to have it marked at school. You might have learned that it's anything but that.
BluebellsGreenbells · 10/10/2020 00:01

Yes, the teachers do have a lot to do and could do with some levity themselves

So a whole day of celebrations takes no effort at all? The fun just keeps going all by itself. Games, food, music, colouring, arts and crafts.

All the mess and clearing up?

Love how some parents dictate how teachers should spent their day/time organising stuff for kids as if it just magically happens

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