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New Jersey school district bans Halloween to promote 'inclusive community'

No celebrations will be permitted at any school, nor will students be allowed to wear costumes during school hours.

Columbia High School, situado en Nueva Jersey.

Columbia High School (Google Maps-Unsplash-Voz Media)

Published by
Alejandro Baños

With the motive of "promoting diversity, equity and inclusion meaningfully," the South Orange and Maplewood School District (SOMSD), located in New Jersey, has decided to cancel any celebration related to Halloween. Additionally, students are prohibited from wearing costumes in all district schools.

"As you know, The South Orange & Maplewood School District (SOMSD) is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion meaningfully - not just saying the words but also promoting an inclusive school community that creates belonging for all students, families, and staff," school district Superintendent Ronald Taylor wrote in a letter sent to parents of all students. Additionally, he noted, "Our aim is to build a consistent approach across the District as to how our schools observe and celebrate holidays and special events."

10062023 Revised Release Halloween Letter_Voz Media by VozMedia on Scribd

In his letter, the superintendent added that his decision is based on a survey that was conducted among school principals and that included questions such as:

Do school-sponsored Halloween activities violate the dignity of some of our students and families, either culturally or religiously?
Does the promotion of school-sponsored Halloween activities create tensions with the equity and access values of SOMSD?

The school district said principals were "overwhelmingly" supportive of suspending Halloween celebrations. Deputy Superintendent of Access and Equity Kevin Gilbert reiterated Taylor's arguments and said that, with the ban on Halloween celebrations, "We are taking a step closer to upholding our community’s access and equity values," despite being aware "that this breaks with what the District has usually done."

The governor of New Jersey can't believe it

The reactions reached the highest-ranking official in the state. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy expressed his disbelief at the decision made by the SOMSD superintendent:

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