Seth Boyden Halloween Celebrations: Back From The Dead...For Now

In a letter sent out on October 13, Seth Boyden Elementary School Principal Mark Quiles announced the cancellation of Halloween celebrations for the 2014-15 school year.

“I have come to the difficult decision to discontinue the celebration of Halloween at Seth Boyden during the school day (i.e., no parade, no costumes,),” said Quiles.

Seth Boyden parent Jason Rando was upset over this decision.

“Maplewood is an extremely tolerant town, which is a main reason why my wife and I choose to live here,” said Rando. “But there comes a point where well-intended attempts to be tolerant can tip to intolerance. And I think this is such an instance.”

Quiles noted three key reasons for cancelling the Halloween celebrations:

1. Due to the diversity of religions and traditions, in past years more and more students have been opting out of Halloween celebrations. An average of 80-90 students do not participate each year. Quiles said, “I cannot, in good conscience, continue to sanction this type of segregation.”
2. A growing number of families have opted to keep their children home on Halloween, “this absenteeism removes students from the educational process and is a loss of precious instructional time.”
3. There is already a lack of instructional time during the fall months and “the hours lost in celebrating Halloween...can be much better used.”

In the letter Quiles also said, “It is inconsistent with the values of our school community to allow activities that will encroach on the educational opportunities of others and threaten a culture of tolerance and respect for all.

He went on to quote the goals of the South Orange Maplewood School District, highlighting the fact that the district respects the rights of all individuals, regarding beliefs, values and customs.

The decision to cancel Halloween was then reversed in the letter sent out by South Orange Maplewood School District Acting Superintendent James Memoli.

“We have decided to keep the Halloween tradition in place this year at Seth Boyden Elementary School, notwithstanding the letter Mr. Quiles sent home yesterday,” said Memoli.

Acknowledging Quiles’ thoughtfulness over the decision to cancel Halloween, Memoli stated that the discussion will continue at a later point.

“The District Administrative Team will discuss these issues in the coming months and determine a district-wide approach to Halloween for 2015,” said Memoli. “So that sufficient notice is given to all staff and families, and so that our Halloween policy is consistent across the district.

Rando is happy that Halloween celebrations will take place at Seth Boyden as scheduled, yet he and his wife, “are also sensitive to those parents and children who have difficulty with the holiday.”

“Our main concern with the decision to cancel the Halloween celebration was more so that it was made without a broader discussion involving all parents,” said Rando. “As such, we were pleased that the decision was reversed and that future policy will be determined by the district so that it is consistent and takes into consideration all viewpoints.”

What do you think? Should schools in the Maplewood South Orange School District continue to celebrate Halloween? Lets us know in the comments section!

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