If students want to come to school in costume to celebrate Halloween, costumes must meet the following guidelines:

On the day of the celebration, the teacher must know what costume each student, or parent volunteer is wearing BEFORE Halloween (Oct. 28 deadline).

Be respectful: Avoid stereotypes. Be racially sensitive and culturally appropriate. Students may not dress up as an ethnic or cultural group (i.e., a Mexican, a Geisha, a Native American, etc). Skin color must not be altered in any way.

Be responsible: Recognize that students in a wide age range will see the costumes. Costumes should be family friendly. Masks may not be worn. Costumes may not be gory or threatening. No make-up is allowed.

Be safe: No hand-held accessories real or pretend (i.e., wands or weapons) are allowed. Crowns or hats may be worn.

Be kind: Costumes should be fun and exciting, not political, or offensive.

Be Understanding: Students may dress up as fictional characters if they follow the above guidelines.

Be Timely: All celebrations should be limited in time and held at the beginning or end of the school day.

Note: Every year in the State Title VI/Indian Education meeting, it is discussed that dressing up as Native American Leaders is inappropriate. Culture is not a costume. In respect to the Native American view, please advise students to refrain from dressing up as Native Americans (i.e., Sacagawea, Sitting Bull, etc.). This is cultural appropriation and is unacceptable.

** Students may choose to dress as a Disney character if they wear a label specify who they are. For example: Pocahontas, Moana