Regarding the Holiday

Since it is almost Halloween I have some comments on schools and this wonderful holiday.

Now I am not quite sure about this but I know in recent years schools have discouraged wearing costumes during school because of violence and all those other reasons why kids cant have fun. Now I am not talking about middle schoolers, and high schoolers, I am talking just elementary. I totally understand the reasoning for why middle schoolers are not allowed to wear costumes.

BUT... how come elementary schoolers are discouraged? I think wearing costumes in elementary school is a great idea, it lets kids know that adults are excited about the day too, and want to encourage the holiday. When I was in elementary school Halloween was a blast; we got extra credit for wearing our costumes and we got to have a party in the classroom, sometimes with the other classes too. We used to play games, and parents would come in for some arts and crafts. Now I know that parents are sometimes too busy for this involvement in the kid's school during the day, but I know it was always great to have a fun day for such a fun holiday. It let students break loose for a little while and relax from school stress and routine.

Also to back up my reasoning I believe that Halloween allows the child to show their extreme individuality and be who they want for a day, without having to worry about being ridiculed. I think it's great to celebrate Halloween and I think it needs to be in the schools more, and why shouldn't it be, this way teachers dont have to worry about teaching about religious issues like Christmas and Hanukah.