I hate Grade school Halloween parties!

[elizke]

I started to write this on the hobo costume thread, but the more I wrote the more I realized it was really a different subject. I have no problem with the hobo costumes, or even with a school not allowing it since evidently the term has changed. But it brings to mind my feeling on Halloween and grade school parties. My rant.....



When I was young we dressed up just to go trick-or-treating. Nothing was done at school. It was great! There was one big thing, getting dressed and ready for Halloween night, and the candy was the likes of which we never saw any other time ever!

Somehow by the time my kids got to grade school it was a party and a parade and tons of junk food and volunteers needed!

One by one the complications have appeared. First it was no weapons or violent indications and other such and instructions regarding the appropriateness of costumes. (Duh!)

Then we can't call it Halloween; It's the "Fall Festival" where we just happen to dress our kids up in strange attire and have them eat sugar.

Then it was geez, we preach how to eat healthy, but on this day we stuff them with junk and then send them home with a 10 pound bag of candy before they even go trick-or-treating? Better stop that! (Duh!) At our school the PTO took over and now spends some of its increasingly precious funds buying "healthy" snacks and drinks for the parties. Because we MUST have this fall party and parade that has NOTHING to do with Halloween! And we need volunteers!

And let's face it, after maybe 2nd grade the kids have no interest in those silly crafts parents are forced to come up with and buy. The excitement of putting on that great costume Halloween night is somewhat lessened by the fact that it has craft project paint and glue and juice box drink spilled on it, and the hat was lost at school. And how many more plastic Halloween cups (I mean "fall" cups) must parents go out and buy so they can end up in landfills?

Would our children really be so traumatized if we skipped the whole thing and sent it back home?

My youngest is in middle school this year where they have no parade or school day party, and I am just glad I tell ya!

 

[Cindy B]

My daughters elementary school stopped Halloween when she was in 3rd grade. No more parades, costumes in school, etc.

They had a "Harvest Math and Literacy Day"... (no I'm not kidding) They pretty much had a normal day and the last hour of school they played math games, read stories aloud and was given a healthy treat..

No mention of Halloween, costumes, or such.

They have had this Harvest day for almost 5 years.

My daughter is now in middle school. and my oldest is in high school. They don't really don anything in terms of middle school or high school.

 

[Christine]

I feel the same.

I was in elementary school in the 60s and we actually did get to wear our costumes to school and we had a little parade in the parking lot. Another elementary school I went to did nothing.

By the time my kids were in school, it had turned into Storybook Day and they had to dress up as their favorite character from a book so not only did we have the Halloween costume but we had the Storybook costume. What a pain. We also had the restriction of no weapons.

I have one kid left in school and one out and I was just saying to my friend the other day, I'm so glad I don't have to deal with the Halloween crap anymore. Everything just gets ruined, doesn't it?

 

[donac]

I teach at a high school. When I first started the kids were allowed to get dressed up. We stopped it many years ago. Last year they allowed the seniors to get dressed up but they had to buy a ticket as a fund raiser to do it. This year they are letting the juniors get dressed.

I wish they hadn't started this up again. It just makes for a crazy day. It is also takes place next Friday. Many people are trying to get somethings done because the following week is very broken up because of teacher's convention and election day. These are high school students who really shouldn't be getting dressed up.

 

[minkydog]

Is this a regional thing? My kids' schools have never allowed Halloween parties, ever. And they're young adults, so it's been at least 19 years. Personally, I'm happy with that. We don't celebrate Halloween for religious reasons and I am kind of offended when my kids bring home jack o'lantern crafts and witches and vampires. As the OP says, there is no reason to teach kids to overdose on candy and junk and call it a party.

 

[disykat]

When I taught years ago, we had a Halloween carnival at night at the school. It was great - everyone looked forward to it. During the day, we did educational stuff, some of it harvest themed, some holiday themed - I usually cooked a pumpkin down and we made pumpkin muffins, we wrote scary stories, etc. I'm not a big Halloween fan personally, but it was fun. Everyone had a good, wholesome time and spent the day looking forward to the evening.

Then when my kids went to school, they went to a school where not only did they have the Halloween carnival at night, but they had parties and a huge Halloween parade that lasted almost the entire day. Add to that the party our church has, neighbors that were telling me they'd be disappointed if my kids didn't come to their house trick or treating, and feeling like we had to have something at our house available for trick or treaters as well - it was a nightmare!

My problem has never been not enough Halloween. It has been trying to keep it to a manageable level so that the kids aren't just plain tired of it before it's over!

The school I'm at this year is keeping it toned down during the day and having a carnival at night. Fortunately that will all be on Friday and trick or treating won't be until Sunday. YAY!

 

[MomofKatie]

When DD was in elementary school, they had Career Day on Halloween. The Fire Dept and Police would come and tell the kids about their jobs. they had fire engines and police cruisers outside. We also had a few parents come to talk about their jobs- usually construction workers, veterinarians, computer people, etc.

The kids could dress up, but only as what job they wanted to have when they grew up. There were lots of football players, police, army officers, and firemen. DD always wore a lab coat since she wanted to be an inventor.

They had afternoon parties, but no Halloween themed stuff or candy. They had a special snack and usually storytime or played games.

 

[JenM]

When I was in grade school (in the 80s), we had Halloween parties. We dressed up in our costumes, had a parade at the school, made Halloween decorations, and overloaded on pizza and candy. And then we went home to go trick-or-treating.

The fact that so many schools now have either banned that outright, or call it something other than "Halloween," or making dressing up such a boring chore by making it some kind of educational assignment just makes me sad.

I don't see the point of sucking the joy out of something that was so fun when we were kids. It's one day.

 

[pepperw23]

When I was in grade school (in the 80s), we had Halloween parties. We dressed up in our costumes, had a parade at the school, made Halloween decorations, and overloaded on pizza and candy. And then we went home to go trick-or-treating.

The fact that so many schools now have either banned that outright, or call it something other than "Halloween," or making dressing up such a boring chore by making it some kind of educational assignment just makes me sad.

I don't see the point of sucking the joy out of something that was so fun when we were kids. It's one day.

Me too! That is where I learned my true appreciation for the Cheetos, cupcake combo.

ETA: But I was in elementary school in the late 70's

 

[HelenePA]

We still have Halloween parties and kids dress up in school and have a parade. They do ask to keep the junk food to a minimum, i'm sending in crackers and cheese (exciting I know!) and extra candy will be sent home in a goodie bag.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Our school has a day to dress up as your favorite character from a book. No party or anything like that. IIRC it's not during Halloween week, sometime shortly after. I don't mind it.

 

[Magpie]

I used to have no issue with Halloween festivities at school - I thought it was (and still think it is for most kids) a fun break from the usual routine.

But, I'll tell ya, it's a real pain in the tuckus when you have a kid who is hypoglycemic. It's not that he's not allowed to eat candy, it's that everyone WILL give it to him and he can't resist the temptation to have "just a little", and then "just a little more". Even his teacher's reaction - when I tried to explain to her the consequences of giving the boy treats - was, "Oh, well then I'd better make sure he doesn't eat any before MY class." Funny how he ends up sick as a dog every day after Halloween.

But we found the perfect solution this year! He's going to Washington with his Dad for the Colbert/Stewart rally. He'll be missing the school party completely!

 

[Pikester]

*

 

[Pikester]

When I was in grade school (in the 80s), we had Halloween parties. We dressed up in our costumes, had a parade at the school, made Halloween decorations, and overloaded on pizza and candy. And then we went home to go trick-or-treating.

The fact that so many schools now have either banned that outright, or call it something other than "Halloween," or making dressing up such a boring chore by making it some kind of educational assignment just makes me sad.

I don't see the point of sucking the joy out of something that was so fun when we were kids. It's one day.

 

[pandora174]

Our DS was 2 years in a Christian school where Halloween was never even mentioned. Everything was Harvest & they had a Harvest festival. This year we moved him to a Catholic school for 2nd. Again no real mention of Halloween though they made spiders for crafts but no dress up in school & no candy. Next Friday at the Parish Hall they are having a Harvest Dance.

All kids are welcome to come in costume & they'll have pumpkin carving, costume parade, music, decorations etc. It's voluntary to attend & we are looking forward to it The only requirement is no weapons or "too scary costumes", thankfully DS's taste runs to "not too scary" LOL

 

[mumto3girls]

I'm not a big fan of Halloween personally. I didn't care for it much as a kid (although I did like the candy), but my kids like it and so does my husband so I go along with it as it is something that they enjoy. The school my two oldest go to does a parade with the kids in costume followed by a party on Halloween or on the Friday before if it falls on the weekend. This is all confined to the last couple of hours of school, so not too bad although I doubt they get much done the rest of the day. I like it when Halloween falls on the weekend so not everything is crammed into one day.

My biggest problem with the whole thing is that Halloween has sort of become a season now instead of just a day. We just got home from a neighborhood Halloween party tonight, my oldest has been invited to another evening party next weekend, we often get together as a neighborhood to carve pumpkins a few days before and that usually turns into a party of some kind and the day itself will be a big affair in the street with trick or treating etc. Add the decorating, costume buying/making and the things I bake/make to contribute to the various school events/social events, it just seems overwhelming at times. I think it is just that I am somewhat introverted and although much of the socializing is fun and I truly enjoy my neighbors, I need a lot more down time than the rest of my family. With Thanksgiving/Christmas season just around the corner, it seems like the "holidays" now start at the beginning of October. I try to maintain some balance, but sometimes it gets hard.

 

[Squirrel!!!]

My DD goes to a small Christian elementary school so there is no Halloween which I think is utterly silly, but the administrations choice. Instead each year they have "International Day". Each grade does a different country.

It is actually fun and educational. The kids get passports and go to each room and learn something about the country and eat regional food and do crafts. They can dress up in national dress or not depending upon the kid's desire and the parents' level of craftiness.

So far, my DD has been the Crocodile hunter, an Irish Dancer, worn a traditional Swedish peasant outfit, a Kimono and this year is dressing as a bowl of Spaghetti.

The painful part is that some years I end up making TWO costumes!!!! I do not think the Spaghetti bowl is going to survive through to Halloween night. Bummer.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

When I was in grade school (in the 80s), we had Halloween parties. We dressed up in our costumes, had a parade at the school, made Halloween decorations, and overloaded on pizza and candy. And then we went home to go trick-or-treating.

The fact that so many schools now have either banned that outright, or call it something other than "Halloween," or making dressing up such a boring chore by making it some kind of educational assignment just makes me sad.

I don't see the point of sucking the joy out of something that was so fun when we were kids. It's one day.

Its not even one day. Its one stinkin hour of one day. Our kids HALLOWEEN party is from 2pm-3pm. There is a costume parade, snacks, crafts and games.

I loved it when I was young and the kids really look forward to it now. One hour for one day isn't a big deal IMOP. Why can't kids have some fun in school too? Does it always have to be books, learning and tests. And don't even start about the candy and healthy snacks. When my kids lunches at school get healthier then they can preach to me about the decorate your own cookie we are doing for this years Halloween snack.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Its not even one day. Its one stinkin hour of one day. Our kids HALLOWEEN party is from 2pm-3pm. There is a costume parade, snacks, crafts and games.

I loved it when I was young and the kids really look forward to it now. One hour for one day isn't a big deal IMOP. Why can't kids have some fun in school too? Does it always have to be books, learning and tests. And don't even start about the candy and healthy snacks. When my kids lunches at school get healthier then they can preach to me about the decorate your own cookie we are doing for this years Halloween snack.

Well said.

I love Halloween and look forward to it even more than the kids. My school still calls it a Halloween parade and party. None of this fall festival BS.

The school does a small parade outside an hour before school ends and than back inside for snacks.

From the PTA we did a Halloween costume contest this past Friday night at the school.

I cant wait till this Friday so go see the parade at the school.

 

[Ceila]

I had Halloween parties at school growing up in the 70's and we were still drrssing up for school in high school. I'm so glad my kids' elementary school still has fun on Halloween.

Toward the end of the day, the kids change into their costumes before the parade that all the parents come to watch and then go back in for an hour-long party. They have snacks, and the room parents sually seem to have a good mix of treats and healthy food, some fun games like mummy wrapping, and the little kids usually get to do a craft.

The kids love it, and the teachers and staff get into it, too - they ALL dress up every year, including the principal!