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rmsgirl
LIF Infant
Member since 5/08 101 total posts
Name:
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
I'm going to be in the minority here, but I'm a preschool teacher and we don't do Halloween the traditional way either. Not because of religious issues, it just got too hard.
There is always a child who gets freaked out and scared by the masks and costumes. There is always a child whose parents forget the costume at home and who is sobbing about it. There is always a child who wets his or her pants in the costume and the parents get upset at the child. There are always costumes and props that get mixed up among the children because they all tend to want to be the same popular cartoon characters. There is always a child whose costume gets left at school in the afternoon and a staff member has to run back and reopen the center. It is hard every year to have some children having fun and others being absolutely miserable.
Instead, we do a "harvest" party in school. We decorate the playground like a pumpkin patch with hay, scarecrows, gourds and pumpkins. The children get to come out and pick a pumpkin and a treat bag. A group of parents and teachers get together and act out a Halloween/Harvest story for the kids. Each class then gets up and sings a song--usually they are wearing a funny hat or headband that they made in class with their teacher.
It was an adjustment at first, but in the end, it is a lot calmer and more fun to do it this way.
Anyway, maybe you could suggest something similar to your child's school?
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Posted 8/11/08 3:16 PM  |
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LIMOMx2
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Member since 5/05 24989 total posts
Name:
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by pmpkn087
Is this a non-denominational school? Dressing up does go against several religions, which is why I would think they stopped it.
It is held in the school attatched to a Lutheran Church but they do not teach religion.
I know I should move on but it just bothers me. They are kids.
They do celebrate Valentine's Day which is not religious.
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| Posted 8/11/08 3:19 PM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
Name:
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by 5ofClubs
They do celebrate Valentine's Day which is not religious.
Actually, valentines day IS religious- in fact, its properly called St. Valentine's day.
Valentines Day History
I understand your frustration, but what can you do. I actually get the above poster's post about how it can be a hassel and cause problems. But to ban it because some parents thought it was Satanic makes me 
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| Posted 8/11/08 3:25 PM |
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Nicole728
My Happy Girl
Member since 7/06 8198 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
mom to be crashing...I now live in NC and it is VERY common down here that we don't celebrate halloween.
I work in a Elem School and they don't have the kids dress up or anything to do with it, b/c of a religious aspect of it...it kinda stinks
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| Posted 8/11/08 3:40 PM |
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LIMOMx2
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Member since 5/05 24989 total posts
Name:
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by Shelly
Posted by 5ofClubs
They do celebrate Valentine's Day which is not religious.
Actually, valentines day IS religious- in fact, its properly called St. Valentine's day.
Valentines Day History
Oh yeah. Well whatever. I am still mad
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| Posted 8/11/08 3:41 PM |
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Luv2bAmom
LIF Adult
Member since 2/08 1255 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by rmsgirl
I'm going to be in the minority here, but I'm a preschool teacher and we don't do Halloween the traditional way either. Not because of religious issues, it just got too hard.
There is always a child who gets freaked out and scared by the masks and costumes. There is always a child whose parents forget the costume at home and who is sobbing about it. There is always a child who wets his or her pants in the costume and the parents get upset at the child. There are always costumes and props that get mixed up among the children because they all tend to want to be the same popular cartoon characters. There is always a child whose costume gets left at school in the afternoon and a staff member has to run back and reopen the center. It is hard every year to have some children having fun and others being absolutely miserable.
Instead, we do a "harvest" party in school. We decorate the playground like a pumpkin patch with hay, scarecrows, gourds and pumpkins. The children get to come out and pick a pumpkin and a treat bag. A group of parents and teachers get together and act out a Halloween/Harvest story for the kids. Each class then gets up and sings a song--usually they are wearing a funny hat or headband that they made in class with their teacher.
It was an adjustment at first, but in the end, it is a lot calmer and more fun to do it this way.
Anyway, maybe you could suggest something similar to your child's school?
No offense, but I don't think that kids should have their Halloween taken away from them becasue its too hard on the teachers, its thier job they are gettign paid to do this.
There are alot of things that are harder to do with children but we do it for the enjoyment and happiness of the children.
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| Posted 8/11/08 3:43 PM |
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saraH
happy birthday sweet kate!
Member since 5/05 16555 total posts
Name:
I know that God exsists, I held her in my arms...
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
I kind of see both sides to this. But I don't think it's right that it's taken away from the kids for the religious reasons.
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| Posted 8/11/08 3:49 PM |
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LInative
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 1977 total posts
Name:
Cassie
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
well this makes me really sad. They should get to wear their costumes at least!!
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| Posted 8/11/08 3:49 PM |
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rmsgirl
LIF Infant
Member since 5/08 101 total posts
Name:
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Actually, we made the changes FOR the children and not for the convenience of the staff.
Believe me, decorating the whole playground like a pumpkin patch, organizing a parent play and putting treat bags together takes us days!
My point is that anytime you have a party at school, it should be appropriate for the ages and developmental stage of the children who are attending. A holiday like Halloween can be scary and upsetting for preschoolers if it isn't done on their level.
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| Posted 8/11/08 3:56 PM |
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
my nieces daycare has been enforcing the no Halloween (or any other holiday) rule for years now.
DS however, also goes to a Lutheran Preschool (we are not, though we are RC) and they seem to do a middle of the road thing for Halloween. They don't technically have a "halloween" party, but the children are allowed to dress, but ONLY as "Community Helpers" for example DS dressed as a construction worker, there were Dr's, teachers, bakers, firemen, etc... Its also tied in to the village that all the classes help make out of big old boxes, a bank, bakery, police station...
We did our usual dressing up and trick or treating, friends parties after school.
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| Posted 8/11/08 4:27 PM |
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05mommy09
Family of 5!
Member since 5/05 15364 total posts
Name:
<3 Mommy <3
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by Luv2bAmom
No offense, but I don't think that kids should have their Halloween taken away from them becasue its too hard on the teachers, its thier job they are gettign paid to do this.
Really because I thought their job was to educate???
No where in my 4 yrs of college did I learn that part of my job was to dress and undress children in their halloween costume.
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| Posted 8/11/08 4:29 PM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Why can't the kids sit Indian Style? Do they have to sit Native American Style now?
That is taking PC to the next level!
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| Posted 8/11/08 4:34 PM |
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Luv2bAmom
LIF Adult
Member since 2/08 1255 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by Princessmaris
Posted by Luv2bAmom
No offense, but I don't think that kids should have their Halloween taken away from them becasue its too hard on the teachers, its thier job they are gettign paid to do this.
Really because I thought their job was to educate???
No where in my 4 yrs of college did I learn that part of my job was to dress and undress children in their halloween costume.
Newsflash they are 2 years old and at times will not capable of doing certaint hings for themsleve, that is part of the job if you want to be a pre-school teacher.
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| Posted 8/11/08 4:44 PM |
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Luv2bAmom
LIF Adult
Member since 2/08 1255 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
I wanted to add that i agree with a PP, why is it so out of the question that if a particular parent is not comfortbael with this celebration they can have one of two options:
1. Sent your child to school with out dressing up
2. Keep you r kid home that day, its not like you don't know in advance
I don't know when we became so politiaclly correct that all the fun is taken away from evryone becaseu of a few.
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| Posted 8/11/08 4:48 PM |
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Claud
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/05 759 total posts
Name:
Claudine
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by racheeeee
Why can't the kids sit Indian Style? Do they have to sit Native American Style now?
That is taking PC to the next level!
I've heard it referred to as sitting "criss-cross applesauce" or sitting "like a pretzel."
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| Posted 8/11/08 4:52 PM |
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05mommy09
Family of 5!
Member since 5/05 15364 total posts
Name:
<3 Mommy <3
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by Luv2bAmom
Posted by Princessmaris
Posted by Luv2bAmom
No offense, but I don't think that kids should have their Halloween taken away from them becasue its too hard on the teachers, its thier job they are gettign paid to do this.
Really because I thought their job was to educate???
No where in my 4 yrs of college did I learn that part of my job was to dress and undress children in their halloween costume.
Newsflash they are 2 years old and at times will not capable of doing certaint hings for themsleve, that is part of the job if you want to be a pre-school teacher.
Im well aware- but celebrating Halloween is NEVER part of a teachers job description.
At 2 yrs old they are there to love, nurture and educate.
In your original post you made it sound like celebrating Halloween was a requirement.
Again, this wasnt taken away for any other reasons then a religious one- which a religious school has EVERY right to make that call..
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| Posted 8/11/08 4:54 PM |
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Luv2bAmom
LIF Adult
Member since 2/08 1255 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by Princessmaris
Posted by Luv2bAmom
Posted by Princessmaris
Posted by Luv2bAmom
No offense, but I don't think that kids should have their Halloween taken away from them becasue its too hard on the teachers, its thier job they are gettign paid to do this.
Really because I thought their job was to educate???
No where in my 4 yrs of college did I learn that part of my job was to dress and undress children in their halloween costume.
Newsflash they are 2 years old and at times will not capable of doing certaint hings for themsleve, that is part of the job if you want to be a pre-school teacher.
Im well aware- but celebrating Halloween is NEVER part of a teachers job description.
At 2 yrs old they are there to love, nurture and educate.
In your original post you made it sound like celebrating Halloween was a requirement.
Again, this wasnt taken away for any other reasons then a religious one- which a religious school has EVERY right to make that call..
No I don't thik Halloween is a requirement but it is a joy for kids. I donot believe that all should suffer because of a few. No one is forcing Halloween or any other holiday on anyone, but at the same time by taking it all away the few who don't wnat to celebrate are forcing everyone else to not have a halloween.
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| Posted 8/11/08 4:57 PM |
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Claud
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/05 759 total posts
Name:
Claudine
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by Luv2bAmom
Posted by Princessmaris
Posted by Luv2bAmom
No offense, but I don't think that kids should have their Halloween taken away from them becasue its too hard on the teachers, its thier job they are gettign paid to do this.
Really because I thought their job was to educate???
No where in my 4 yrs of college did I learn that part of my job was to dress and undress children in their halloween costume.
Newsflash they are 2 years old and at times will not capable of doing certaint hings for themsleve, that is part of the job if you want to be a pre-school teacher.
I believe that under the NYS Megan's Law, preschool teachers are NOT allowed to help children dress or undress, in matters of using the potty or otherwise. So in that case, it is wrong to assume that it should naturally fall under the job description of a preschool teacher in part-time classroom arrangement.
Teachers and caregivers in full-time school and daycare situations are exempt from this law, in so much as their "helping" the child dress needs to be within full view of another witness (so there is less chance that a child is left alone w/an adult and less at risk of molestation).
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| Posted 8/11/08 4:58 PM |
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05mommy09
Family of 5!
Member since 5/05 15364 total posts
Name:
<3 Mommy <3
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by Luv2bAmom
Posted by Princessmaris
Posted by Luv2bAmom
Posted by Princessmaris
Posted by Luv2bAmom
No offense, but I don't think that kids should have their Halloween taken away from them becasue its too hard on the teachers, its thier job they are gettign paid to do this.
Really because I thought their job was to educate???
No where in my 4 yrs of college did I learn that part of my job was to dress and undress children in their halloween costume.
Newsflash they are 2 years old and at times will not capable of doing certaint hings for themsleve, that is part of the job if you want to be a pre-school teacher.
Im well aware- but celebrating Halloween is NEVER part of a teachers job description.
At 2 yrs old they are there to love, nurture and educate.
In your original post you made it sound like celebrating Halloween was a requirement.
Again, this wasnt taken away for any other reasons then a religious one- which a religious school has EVERY right to make that call..
No I don't thik Halloween is a requirement but it is a joy for kids. I donot believe that all should suffer because of a few. No one is forcing Halloween or any other holiday on anyone, but at the same time by taking it all away the few who don't wnat to celebrate are forcing everyone else to not have a halloween.
I would totally see your point of view if this was a public school but this is a Christian school.
Which stands on a Lutheran foundation.
I would find it really odd if there was a child walking around in a devil costume on church grounds...
Fun or not- its still a religious facility.
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| Posted 8/11/08 4:59 PM |
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LIMOMx2
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Member since 5/05 24989 total posts
Name:
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by Luv2bAmom
Posted by Princessmaris
Posted by Luv2bAmom
Posted by Princessmaris
Posted by Luv2bAmom
No offense, but I don't think that kids should have their Halloween taken away from them becasue its too hard on the teachers, its thier job they are gettign paid to do this.
Really because I thought their job was to educate???
No where in my 4 yrs of college did I learn that part of my job was to dress and undress children in their halloween costume.
Newsflash they are 2 years old and at times will not capable of doing certaint hings for themsleve, that is part of the job if you want to be a pre-school teacher.
Im well aware- but celebrating Halloween is NEVER part of a teachers job description.
At 2 yrs old they are there to love, nurture and educate.
In your original post you made it sound like celebrating Halloween was a requirement.
Again, this wasnt taken away for any other reasons then a religious one- which a religious school has EVERY right to make that call..
No I don't thik Halloween is a requirement but it is a joy for kids. I donot believe that all should suffer because of a few. No one is forcing Halloween or any other holiday on anyone, but at the same time by taking it all away the few who don't wnat to celebrate are forcing everyone else to not have a halloween.
ITA. The school is weak in my opinion. And the parents don't even have children in the preschool they have children in the k-8 program. All kids want to do is dress up and get candy. They don't associate it with satanic things.
And all these years they did it and never had a problem with it. Ok if this was their policy from the beg but it was not.
Message edited 8/11/2008 5:00:23 PM.
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| Posted 8/11/08 4:59 PM |
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rmsgirl
LIF Infant
Member since 5/08 101 total posts
Name:
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
There's lots of reasons that schools change their policies from year to year. It sounds like your school didn't do a good job of explaining their reasons for the Halloween change to the parents.
It sounds like they are still doing a celebration, though. Maybe you can get involved and help out with making it fun for the kids? There are lots of fun and different ways to celebrate the holiday, whether they call it "halloween" or a "harvest festival."
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| Posted 8/11/08 5:21 PM |
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MrsR
My love.
Member since 5/05 6247 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
IMHO (Since T's school doesnt allow it either) I don't see it as a bad thing.
Let's face it - the costumes are usually uncomfy and impossible to run around in on the playground.
the young young kids dont really get it anyway - AND you are going to take them trick or treating! SO they will still celebrate!!
I understand the nostalgia - but really that is more about you - they won't miss anything!
eta: I just re read all the repsonses on the post. I have to say I think it teaches intolerance to kids to say that ONE kid should have to go not dressed up and deal with it because it goes against their religion.
You should be more worried about teaching your kids tolerance, understanding, and COMPRIMISE than about halloween.
This is a different day and age then when we were kids.
Message edited 8/11/2008 5:41:34 PM.
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| Posted 8/11/08 5:36 PM |
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CCMommy
EVERYTHING CHANGES
Member since 12/07 2528 total posts
Name:
CC's Mommy
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
I just signed DS up for pre school the other day and they told me there is no halloween party for the 2 yr old class..they just celebrate fall also.. but they do have it for the 3 and 4 yr olds
..but they said it's because the kids get scared of the costumes and what not
I've been wondering if I can send him in a halloween outfit, like a tee and pants combo from old navy.. or is that too "costume-ish"
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| Posted 8/11/08 5:50 PM |
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KateDevine
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Member since 6/06 24950 total posts
Name:
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by Princessmaris
Posted by Luv2bAmom
No offense, but I don't think that kids should have their Halloween taken away from them becasue its too hard on the teachers, its thier job they are gettign paid to do this.
Really because I thought their job was to educate???
No where in my 4 yrs of college did I learn that part of my job was to dress and undress children in their halloween costume.
I was JUST going to say this!! It is NOT the teacher's job to be doing Halloween or ANY holiday for that matter. They are getting paid to TEACH!
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| Posted 8/11/08 5:57 PM |
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KateDevine
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Member since 6/06 24950 total posts
Name:
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Re: Andrew's Preschool got rid of the Halloween Party...
Posted by Luv2bAmom
No I don't thik Halloween is a requirement but it is a joy for kids. I donot believe that all should suffer because of a few. No one is forcing Halloween or any other holiday on anyone, but at the same time by taking it all away the few who don't wnat to celebrate are forcing everyone else to not have a halloween.
They are forcing ANYONE not to have a Halloween, the kids can still celebrate at home and go trick or treating with their PARENTS! Not doing something in school isn't going to ruin their lives!!
To the OP, I understand why you are frustrated bc they just took it away, but DS will have fun with you and DH going trick or treating
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| Posted 8/11/08 6:00 PM |
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