Halloween Osler 2022

Good Afternoon Osler School Community,                                                                                       Oct. 26, 2022

As we approach Halloween, we wanted to send some reminders and expectations to ensure we are inclusive and safe in our learning environment. We recognize that not all students/families celebrate Halloween and may not be interested in participating in certain activities offered at school. Their choice will be respected and the activities planned in their class shouldn’t interfere with their schooling. *Please review the following suggestions with your children when choosing a costume to avoid being disrespectful or offensive:

• Students can wear costumes or black and orange to school as per prior years practice
• Students choosing to wear a costume should come to the school already wearing the costume and keep the costume on for the duration of the day
• No weapons– real or fake
• No masks worn on face that impede vision or breathing
• No cultural appropriation: taking or borrowing a look or a trait from a culture that is not your own *Costumes based on other people’s culture are offensive, harmful, and insensitive

Important questions to consider:

• Is my costume making fun or 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?

Treats

If classes (staff or students) would like include treats for students during activities:

• These must only be purchased and individually packaged treats (no home baked foods).
• Please choose peanut and nut free items as we do have student and staff allergies
• Treats will only be handed out and taken home to consume -we will not be eating the treats at school

Parade

We will be having a parade for our main floor students (K- 4/5). Parents and guardians are welcome to join us on Monday October 31^st at 9:30 am in the gym. For the safety of all students, please ensure:

• Your child arrives on time (9:15am) to their classroom as usual for attendance and opening routines
• Parents/guardians enter through the front doors and continue straight to the gym
• In the gym, please stand and remain in the middle portion -inside the large black floor lines
• Students and staff will enter the gym in a long line and will travel around the perimeter
• Parents are asked to remain in the middle box until all students and staff have left the gym and returned to class
• There are no photos allowed by visitors -not all students/parents have media consent on file

If you have any further questions or concerns please contact your child’s teacher. Thank you and have a wonderful rest of your day.

Your Partners in Learning,

T. Walsh                U. Qureshi

Principal                Vice Principal