Halloween Considerations

Oct 24th, 2022 – As Halloween approaches and people prepare their costumes, we wanted to provide you with a few quick reminders about safety and appropriate costumes at school.

Halloween can be an exciting holiday for many young people. Kids get to be creative, have fun, and engage in celebration. Dressing up in costumes is an anticipated tradition for many students and staff members alike.

It’s also a time when we’re a little more aware of what we need to do to keep each other safe in all ways. And those safety considerations that parents, students and staff need to consider at school are:

• Students in costume at school (where and when permitted) should be easily recognizable and/or be able to identify themselves to staff or other students when asked. No full-face masks are permitted.
• We celebrate diversity and inclusion in New Westminster schools. Costumes that are offensive or in poor taste are not permitted … when selecting a costume, please consider whether it violates rights or appropriates identity, based on rights maintained under the Canadian Human Rights Act: race, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic characteristics, or disabilities.
• Research and reflect on cultural appropriation when it comes to costumes. If you’d like to learn more about navigating cultural appropriation, we’ve created some quick guidelines on how to approach it here.
• No replica weapons (guns, knives, etc.) are allowed on school property.
• School codes of conduct must always be followed. This means acting respectfully to peers and staff and maintaining good care of school property. Vandalism is never acceptable and is a crime.
• The possession or use of firecrackers or fireworks at school is strictly and always prohibited.

Your school or classroom teacher may have provided additional information about how Halloween will be celebrated this year. Please contact the school if you have further questions.

We appreciate your help in making Halloween an enjoyable event for all participating staff and students.

– The New Westminster Schools team