October 2015
Dear Walnut Grove School Families:
We are well into Fall and that means Halloween is just around the corner. We want to share what our plans are
for Friday, October 30, and provide some information about how we will make the day fun and enjoyable for all.
We know Halloween is an important event for many students and we want to give families the opportunity to plan
and prepare.
Our plans for Halloween are simple. Students may choose to wear a costume, they may choose to wear fall
colours or black and orange, or they may choose to wear their regular clothes.
We want to make sure our Halloween activities foster inclusion and school spirit. It is also a great way to raise
awareness of this cultural event amongst those unfamiliar with its origins. The spirit of inclusion also means
respect for the decision of those who choose not to participate in Halloween activities.
So, we want to reinforce that participation in Halloween activities including wearing costumes at school or wearing
fall colours is completely voluntary. As a school, we will make sure that all students—should they choose to dress
for the day or not – will feel equally included and respected as part of our Walnut Grove school community.
For those children who choose to wear a costume, please keep the following in mind:

Costumes should not include face make up or masks, as these can impair vision, muffle speech and impact student
safety

Costumes should not include accessories, or any type of weapon (i.e. replica guns, knives, , etc.) that can impact
safety or mobility

Long costumes may pose trip hazards

For any children who wish to show their fall spirit on October 30th, but do not wish to wear a Halloween costume,
they can wear fall colours, i.e., orange, black, red, yellow, brown, purple, or school colours on that day.

As you are aware, we have students in the school with life threatening food allergies so we kindly request that you do
not send any type of food or edible Halloween treats/candy to school with your children. This includes careful
selection of the items being sent to school on the days following the Halloween celebration. If you wish to send
treats in for the class for Halloween, non-food items such as pencils or stickers are good options.
Regardless of whether students choose to participate in Halloween events or not, all members of the school
community are expected to honour our values and demonstrate that they care, are cooperative, honest,
inclusive, respectful and responsible. We would also ask you to keep those values in mind—particularly being
respectful and inclusive—in choosing a Halloween costume for your son or daughter. I know we can count on our
students and staff to model those values on Halloween, as they do each day.
If you have any questions about Halloween at Walnut Grove, please do not hesitate to contact me at school.
Sincerely,
Pamela Lone
Principal