Paris school asks parents to keep the costumes at home

CTV Kitchener: Paris school says no to costumes Parents at North Ward Elementary are upset the school has asked kids to leave the costumes at home for Halloween. Nicole Lampa reports.

Some parents are upset after a Paris school has asked children to leave their costumes at home on Halloween. In a letter sent home to parents, North Ward Public School invited children to wear black and orange on Halloween instead.

“It’s always been a tradition, and a big part of Halloween is dressing up, why are they taking that away from these guys, you know, why are they taking their childhood away from them?” asked Megan McDonald, one of the upset parents.

The letter says costumes over the past few years have raised concerns with staff, such as costumes not being conductive to a learning environment, and that costumes and parading can increase anxiety in students. The school has planned a number of Halloween themed activities, but that has left some parents confused.

“If costumes are offensive, why aren’t Halloween activities altogether themselves offensive?” said Rachael George.

Costumes are not banned, and if children do wear a costume to school they will not be sent home or asked to change.