Costumes and Candy

Some schools don't want kids to have candy Sun Times
Gun-toting gangsters, swashbuckling pirates and blood-drenched zombies are out. Clowns, ballerinas and (unmasked) superheroes are in. Candy corn? That's a toss-up.

Boo-humbug Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Public Schools has no official policy governing costumes, though many principals err on the side of caution. "We're not restricting candy," says ...

Comments

Today a parent sent a note saying "We dont selebate Hollaween."
I spoke to the parent and said I can respect that and we won't be celebrating any holidays in my class, but, I hope you don't mind if I teach your child how to spell.

[A Parent...]

Wow! Did you really SAY that to a parent. As a parent who tries to look out for my child's best interests, this comment really saddened me. The comment illustrates what I've been saying to folks about the schools. They SAY they want parental input and cooperation, but many times their actions say otherwise.

Eliminating Halloween? Bah Humbug!! But now I am told that I am REQUIRED to observe 10 seconds of silent Reflection/Prayer? Can I just stand there and pick my nose if I do it quietly?

7:51 if you were a staff member at my school I would reprimand you for being so rude to a parent. Who in the heck do you think you are?

[Wendy]

Y'all should read The Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson. It's very funny.

[from Jen to nose picker at 11:49]

I'm with you. I can't believe the deafening silence from teachers on this issue. I personally believe this is simply a matter of right-wing, "gooood Christians" trying to put some manners on heathen Chicago children. I will pray/reflect if and when and where I choose. I will demand no more from the wonderful children I teach. Where is the union on THIS?

[Wendy]

Actually, I'm not a right wing Christian nor particularly anti Halloween. But there are already so many Halloween celebrations in the parks, neighborhoods, not to mention trick or treating itself. How much candy does a kid need?

I am not even particularly anti-candy, but I really am against candy celebrations in school. I feel like it's always either someone's birthday or some holiday comes up where there has to be some kind of candy exchange or candy is given as some kind of reward. All of it makes me concerned about my daughter's (and her classmates) nutrition and teeth. Candy just seems to be everywhere and I wish it weren't.

Lighten up Wendy. When I was a child the two best days of the year were Christmas and Halloween. It was never really about the candy, well, that's a lie, sort of, the candy was great but the dressing up that one day of the year - oh, come on, don't you remember? How special that was. I hate to see that taken away from our kids.

[Wendy]

I don't exactly want it taken away, but when I was a kid, there wasn't candy *EVERYWHERE* as there seems to be now. My child doesn't need candy every day. We have an obesity epidemic in this country. Candy's fine, in moderation. The problem is that it no longer is in moderation. With everyone else giving my kids candy, I certainly feel as though I never can since they seemingly get it all the time.

Of course Halloween is about candy. But candy is big at Christmas too, and at Valentine's Day and at every place a person stops with a kid doing their daily errands, and at school for rewards. What happened to pencils or stickers?

Besides the above referenced articles weren't banning candy, just potentially dangerous costumes.

[fine, call me boo-humbug]

i don't like candy in my classroom - the kids get too hyper! And I have a diabetic student! I don't like halloween - we have too much to do and enough distractions from the curriculum already! Plus - I have several Jehovah's Witnesses in my school and students with parents who tell them Halloween is EVIL. Why even bother with it at school? I honor and respect every family's right to celebrate it or not - but you don't have the right to bring it to my classroom!

I'll be giving my kids a treat and we'll have a little parade as usual. Parents have been told they are allowed to send their child with a costume if they want to, if not then that is okay too. Same with the treats/candy. Same thing will happen for Valentine's day- sans the costume. I'll be wearing a little costume or at least a Halloween shirt on Wednesday too.

[from Nila to boo-humbug and Wendy]

Hey Wendy and Fine, BooHumbug - you make a good case about hyperactivity, Jehovah Witnesses and obesity. You're right, let's take away all the traditions from everybody else for fear of offending others. Don't have too much fun one day of the year, someone else won't like it. My richest childhood memories, too, like 11:42 were rummaging through the basement and attic making a costume (we, like EVERYONE else, were too poor to buy a costume). I bought lots of candy and I will pass out double to all my trick-or-treaters this year. Let them be kids and make great memories for just one day. Lighten up! I have been a diabetic since I was eleven years old - Halloween was still my favorite.

[Guen]

Dear 6:15, It's just a matter of time before they get rid of Valentine's Day, too. Remember when it used to be called "St. Valentine's Day" ? (remember the old black & white movie with Fred Astair and Bing Crosby called Holiday Inn)
No more Fannie Mae chocolate hearts for our children? They win win. I quit.

[John]

Every year on Halloween I dress up as a historical figure (I am social studies and co-teach with English - he does it, too) we make the kids guess who we are - It is alway a hit, so much fun. I bet every one of my students will remember this.

nila - it sounds as though your favorite memories were at home - in the basement and the attic - i'm saying, let's keep them there.

[Teacher]

To a Parent and 1:56pm,
Yes I did say that to a parent, especially after included in her note that I was a "devil whorshiping heaten who would reap jesus (with a small J) vengence".
All because I told my students that we don't have Halloween at my school, but I would bring them a treat and read them a story for free time.
Some parents want respect but don't give any, they are always concerned about their own rights like other children and teachers don't have any. Some parents treat teachers like dogs and think it is appropriate. That is something you should be sad about.
And 1:56pm, I'm glad I am not at your school. Especially since you are on the Blog during the workday. Gee you have time on your hands.

[Teacher]

To a Parent and 1:56pm,
Yes I did say that to a parent, especially after included in her note that I was a "devil whorshiping heaten who would reap jesus (with a small J) vengence".
All because I told my students that we don't have Halloween at my school, but I would bring them a treat and read them a story for free time.
Some parents want respect but don't give any, they are always concerned about their own rights like other children and teachers don't have any. Some parents treat teachers like dogs and think it is appropriate. That is something you should be sad about.
And 1:56pm, I'm glad I am not at your school. Especially since you are on the Blog during the workday. Gee you have time on your hands.

[A Parent...]

Teacher...

Let me just say this: Perhaps if you had included what else was said in the note in the first place, my first response to your initial post would have been a little more tempered. Indeed, some parents are not respectful; however, some teachers, principals, and other administrators are not, either. I'm sure we've all had plenty of experiences dealing with both sides of the coin. However, if you allow yourself to go down that slippery slope with them, you might feel better in the short term, but it does it really make you a better person in the long term? Unfortunately, you sound a little bit bitter and maybe a little bit worn out. That's what make me sad.

Take care of yourself.

[AJ]

I do not know what the first blog was about, but we need to treat our teachers with respect. They have the hardest job in the world, and parents need to support them more. I personally am in my children's classroom at least one full day a week and give as much money to the school as I can each year. Next lighten up with the holidays. It is our job as parents to fill in the blanks. America is a melting pot and it is the school's job to educate our kids in reading and writting etc... Also, with a little fun mixed in that help the kids make it thru a long week. Parents just go sit thru a full day of school, I bet you forgot how long it is... and do that 5 days a week.

Parent's if you give everything a negative spin that is how your children are going to look at life. So, what if your school does not celebrate your specific religious holiday, teach it at home, help your children feel pride in there own special uniqueness and ask the teacher if you can come in one day an share your child's favorite holiday with the class and teach it using a game that involes math, reading or a special art project. I know any good teacher would make room in his/her day to do this! Stop complaining. Just because you don't celebrate something doesn't mean it is "bad" or you have to take it away from the entire world. Just tell your child it is different, a holiday that we do not choose to take part in, but when you surround yourself with the negative then the negative will come.

Personally Hollaween comes from religions (all saints day/day of the dead) that have nothing to do with my own personal beliefs but my children love dressing up so I have found a way to make Hollaween our own. I also use it as a way to educate my children about other religions which I find so interesting, especially"the day of the dead" I find it to be a very wonderful way to celebrate the lives of loved ones that have passed. Well I better get back to work. The point of my very first blog was to thank all you teachers and tell all you parents just to be more postive and stop taking away and just spend more time at home adding and educating your own children.

Also, as far as candy, if your child is healthy most of the time, candy and cupcakes at birthday parties is not going to make you fat, it is all about balance.

Just lighten up!!

All go Newberry the Best School there is!!!
Thanks to all its Staff teachers and parents!!

[Jason]

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