Changing costume sensibilities

With Halloween now approaching, a new debate has been cropping up more and more. Some Hamilton schools have done it and now another school in the Niagara region has decided there will be no costumes allowed on Halloween. Instead they’re encouraging students to celebrate by wearing orange and black. Some parents are really angry about it. Cindy Csordas has the details.

This time it’s happened at McKay Public School in Port Colborne. The principal says her decision will make Halloween more inclusive but some kids say it’s simply not fair.

It’s that time of year when the ghouls and goblins can’t wait to show off their scary side. But that’ll have to wait for nightfall. A recent decision to ban costumes at McKay Public School in Port Colborne has some students and parents speaking up.

TJ Benner is a grade 9 student: “Ya, it’s pretty disappointing that we can’t have our costumes but like he said, it’s the principals decision and we can’t change that.”

The principal has asked parents to dress their children in orange and black instead of putting on their costume.

JK student Kylee Mollison: “What if the teacher says you can’t wear a costume, how will that make you feel? That will make me feel sad.”

Samantha Mollison is Kylee’s Mom: “I’m a little disappointed. It’s my daughter’s first year here at McKay and in her preschool she’s able to do it it’s something she really enjoys so we are a little disappointed.”

Austin Cornwall is a grade 8 student: “We’re not celebrating wearing costumes at school, it’s not that big of a deal. It’s a little disappointing but I understand the reasons though.”

The principal says the reason she’s banned costumes is to make Halloween more inclusive she says little kids sometimes cry when they see scary costumes, some kids don’t like to wear costumes and in some cases parents can’t afford to buy costumes to dress their kids up.

Brett Sweeney is with the District School Board of Niagara: It’s an individual school based decision made by the school principal and I have to say our principals are highly qualified professionals. They have a lot of expertise in their field and they truly care about positive outcomes for their students.”

DJ Finlayson is a student: “I feel disappointed that we won’t be able to see each others costumes this year. Most of my friends live in the city or Fort Erie so what can you do, it’s the principals decision.”

The principal also told me off camera that it’s not as if Halloween is cancelled at her school. Kids will still have a Halloween dance and activities to participate in. She says her decision however has caused a stir and she has received threatening emails and phone calls from people upset with her decision. Some parents say it should be their decision, not the principals.