This is the response I got form my kids elementary school principal on the rumor that they are canceling all Halloween festivities.
Dear Mr. Bod,
Since Halloween falls on a teacher in - service day the staff is considering the possibility of not having the usual celebration. The only place it has been mentioned is in the staff newsletter and we intend to publish the decision in the Roadrunner family newsletter next week. I am not sure how students have gotten their infomration.
We are charged by the state and the federal "No Child Left Behind" law with delivering a staggering amount of curriculum to students each year. It is rare that even the most organized teacher can cover all that is required. As we carefully examine our practice, time is precious. No where in our standards can we find a way to justify parties and parades. We certainly realize the fun and tradition
that they represent. I willl party with my grandchildren and I am looking forward to it. We are torn bewteen hard choices. We enjoy children and the celebrations that are such fun, but we have a huge task to deliver the material to students. TIme away from instruction must be weighed very carefully.
We are also concerned as a staff about the effect that the sweets parents like to send to parties has on students. Childhood obesity and related heatlh issues are mushrooming. When we have requested healthy snacks we have not gotten a positive response..
I enjoy Halloween. It is a question of the good vs. the best. We want the best for our students. The final staff decision will be in the next edition of the Roadrunner. Thanks you for your input. I would love to hear any other thoughts you might have.
Sincerely,
Nancy Ledford
john bod wrote:
Mrs. Ledford,
I am the stepfather of Rain and Alex. The other day they came home from school and informed us that there would be no Halloween festivities, namely a “dress up” day. Can you please verify to me that this is true? If it is true, why has the policy been changed, and why has there been no official declaration by the school of this?
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
John M. Bod
Now, these teachers get 3 months off in the summer, all federal holidays, and several of these in-service days a year off. This equates to 4 months off a year. I guess these in-service days are for curriculum review and planning. What do they need these days for? Don’t they have 3.7 months throughout the year to do this? To blame the installation of higher standards is pathetic. These teachers are making the kids suffer to promote their political agendas. What is wrong with working for a living? I guess it’s true, “those who can’t, teach”