Dibs

Dressing up as Stuart Little or the Cat in the Hat is paltry compensation for not being allowed to dress up as a witch, bat or ghost for Halloween — but that’s what a North Carolina school is forcing students to do. At Stokesdale Elementary, holiday parties that include references to actual holidays as traditionally celebrated by actual human beings have been banned. Now, students must “enjoy” themselves at “seasonal” parties. As part of a growing move in public schools not to offend anyone, the “fall” party will have autumn-leaf decorations, replacing the Halloween fests of yore, according to the Northwest Observer. Decorations depicting snow are permitted at the “winter” party, but none depicting holly, reindeer, ornaments, or which feature a red-and-green color scheme. (Nor menorahs or anything associated with Chanukah, for that matter.) Nor will the children be permitted to make gifts for their parents. Parents of Stokesdale students are protesting a letter dated Oct. 2 “from Principal Mary Williams saying that classroom parties would now have seasonal themes. The letter asked parents to … choose items such as plates and napkins that reflect the season as opposed to specific holidays such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter… The change was being made, the letter said, ‘in an effort to honor and respect the values of all families in our community.’ The letter also suggests more scholastic celebrations be held for successes such as perfect attendance or good grades.” Ack, attendance-award ceremonies replacing Halloween fun? What is this, the USSR? Parents are protesting the new policy, which has been adopted at all but one of the other schools in the district. Following the first wave of the parents’ protest, school officials amended the original plan and now children will be allowed to wear costumes to the “fall” party, but only if they portray “favorite book characters.” That is, favorite book characters who don’t happen to be witches, bats or ghosts.