On Sept. 27, the senior leadership team at School District 65 issued the following message regarding Halloween celebrations:
As part of our school and district-wide commitment to equity, we are focused on building community and creating inclusive, welcoming environments for all. While we recognize that Halloween is a fun tradition for many, it is not a holiday that is celebrated by everyone for various reasons and we want to honor that. We are also aware of the range of inequities that are embedded in Halloween celebrations that take place as part of the school day and the unintended negative impact that it can have on students, families, and staff. As a result, we support our schools that are moving away from Halloween celebrations that include costumes and similar traditions. We are confident those who are choosing to move away from traditional Halloween celebrations will find new and engaging ways to build community within their schools.
“In District 65, we remain committed to equity and discontinuing current and past practices that are not in alignment with our goals. Our schools are special because of the people who are a part of them. Everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, ability level, religion, spoken language, cultural beliefs and traditions, gender identity, sexual orientation, and citizenship status, should feel comfortable being their authentic selves while in our schools. We support our administrators, educators, and staff members who continue to do their best for the students and families that they serve.”