A message from Teresa Downs, Superintendent

Dear families,

With Halloween just around the corner, I wanted to once again take a moment to remind students, families, and staff about the need to be thoughtful and inclusive if selecting a costume to be worn at school. The choice of costume should always be respectful of the diverse cultural and lived experiences of all the members of our school communities and should align with the district’s stated commitment to inclusion, anti-racism, and equity.

Please keep the following two guidelines in mind as you and/or your child decide on a costume:

1. Be kind and consider the school community: Choose costumes that are respectful and do not mock or demean someone’s gender identity, culture, race, religion, age, or ability. Avoid costumes that could be offensive or perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
2. Be thoughtful and safe: Steer clear of costumes that depict violence, or substances like alcohol or drugs. Additionally, replica weapons (e.g., guns, knives, etc.) are not permissible at school.

The choice of Halloween costume should ultimately align with the expectations set out in school codes of conduct and our district Safe, Caring and Healthy Schools policy. We must always ensure our learning environments remain safe, welcoming, inclusive, and affirming for all students, families, and staff. If you have questions, please connect with your school administration.

We appreciate your consideration and thank you for helping keep our schools safe, caring, and inclusive this Halloween.

Sincerely,

Teresa Downs
Superintendent