A Massachusetts school district canceled several Halloween festivities as part of an effort to promote “equity and inclusion.”
Several parents expressed anger and frustration after Northborough Public Schools Superintendant Gregory Martineau sent a letter to parents explaining students would not be allowed to wear costumes to school and that a Halloween parade through the school’s hallways had been canceled, according to CBS News Boston.
Martineau explained in his letter that students would instead take part in a “fall-themed spirit day.”
“This collaborative decision aligns with the District’s core values of equity and inclusion,” Martineau’s letter says. “Moving the parade outside of the school day provides families the opportunity to participate in a manner that is most comfortable for them.”
“Shift the approach’: Northborough Halloween festivities changing amid push for inclusion in schools https://t.co/iHcuSxmRrW
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) October 5, 2023
Martineau’s letter to the parents added the Halloween parade would be held after school hours and done through the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
“Frankly, I don’t understand it,” one parent said of the decision. “I don’t understand why it is being taken away from my son.”
Another parent, James Hamlan, pointed out there was “the money aspect” to the decision.
“Not everyone can afford a Halloween costume,” Hamlan said. “There’s the parent aspect, some kids have their parents there and they are able to leave work and witness the parade. I think it’s good because it means more parents are going to be able to go to whatever parade the PTO is organizing.”
Parent Edward Reiss told The Boston Herald the school district’s decision was “insulting.”
“And it smacks of a decision that the administration knew was going to be unpopular and just pushed it through by any means they could because that’s what they wanted. I am worried about what precedent this sets,” Reiss continued.
Martineau explained during a school committee meeting on Wednesday that 12% of students in the school district, about 120 students, did not participate in the Halloween festivities last year due to various reasons ranging from being afraid of the costumes or Halloween not matching up with their religious beliefs.
After receiving backlash from parents, Martineau is reportedly reconsidering his decision, according to the outlet.
IJR reached out to the school district and to Martineau but did not receive a response back by the time of publication.