Halloween 2021
BG Families,
Following Covid Protocols is critical every day, including on days like Halloween.
Friday, October 29, students may:
- choose to wear costumes to school as in previous years
- choose instead to wear black and orange
- choose neither of the above options
If your child decides to wear a costume, please note the following:
– no cultural appropriation
– no offensive or insensitive costumes
– no inappropriate images
– nothing too scary or gory (we want all students to have fun and not feel scared!)
– no weapons or props
– no costume masks (since they could interfere with face coverings). Costumes must be able to safely accommodate a face covering as per COVID protocol requirements. A costume mask would not be a substitute for a proper face covering.
– students would need to arrive in their costume, wear it all day, wear it home
– staff can’t assist with putting on or removing student costumes
– students must be able to remove their costume independently to use the washroom
– students must be able to safely play at recess in their costume
Some classes may decide to have an in-class Halloween celebration. These celebrations will continue to follow all Covid related protocols and safe practices (including physical distancing, hand hygiene, mask wearing, etc.).
– If classes would like to include treats for students during activities, these must only be purchased and individually packaged treats (no home baked foods).
– There will be no parades this year.
Cultural Appropriation and Costumes:
What is Cultural Appropriation? Cultural appropriation means taking or borrowing a look or trait from a culture that is not your own.
Costumes that are based on people’s culture are offensive, harmful and insensitive.
The following are suggested questions, to reflect on when choosing a costume to avoid being disrespectful or offensive,
– Is my costume making fun of a group of people, their culture, religion and/or belief systems?
– Does my costume reinforce jokes and stereotypes about certain groups, cultures, religions and/or belief systems?
– Am I altering my skin color, facial/body features to make it like a particular race, ethnicity, or cultural group?
– Am I dressing up as a culture or borrowing from a religion that is not my own or is not part of my background?
Please reach out to your child’s teacher or to me if you have any questions.
~ Ms. Wilson.