The superintendent of a New Jersey school district banned official school-wide Halloween celebrations under the guise of “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” claiming the festivities may offend people from various cultural and religious backgrounds.
Families of students in the South Orange & Maplewood School District district received a letter on Oct. 6 from Dr. Ronald G. Taylor, the superintendent of SOMD, asking parents to reflect upon how school-sponsored Halloween celebrations exacerbate inequity.
Decisions regarding how Halloween should be observed have long been a difficult subject to tackle, Taylor explains.
“As you know, SOMSD is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion meaningfully — not just saying the words but also promoting an inclusive school…Our aim is to build a consistent approach across the District as to how our schools observe and celebrate holidays and special events,” Taylor wrote. “Each year, questions arise from families, students, and staff about what SOMSD schools will be doing regarding Halloween.”
The superintendent notified parents the school’s Halloween celebrations are canceled and urged families to consider how the school’s promotion of the holiday poses potential harm to students’ “dignity.”