The year is 2007. Everyone is dressed up in costumes, playing games, and eating candy at the 25th annual BHS haunted house. Hundreds of people showed up to participate in these BHS Halloween traditions. Attractions like the haunted house were a staple at the school, as well as costume contests and more. Students and teachers alike enjoyed celebrating with their friends.
But today, you’ll notice that on Halloween, not a single costume, candy or haunted festivity are in sight. Students were once encouraged to dress up, eat candy, and celebrate in school, but today, students aren’t allowed to wear costumes to school on Halloween.
Two years ago a district-wide policy was put in place regarding how people were allowed to celebrate Halloween across Barnstable Public Schools. Wearing costumes on Halloween is banned, and many other Halloween-related activities, like the Drama Club’s Haunted House and costume contest have also been canceled. Now, Halloween at BHS will be just like any other day.
The reason for this, said Jason Conetta, principal of Barnstable High school, is “To make everyone at school feel safe, secure, and part of the community.” The school administration wants to ensure that the celebrations of holidays like Halloween do not interfere with students’ learning. “To me, dressing up is not the priority. Coming to school, working hard, and trying our best is” Conetta said. “We never want a holiday to make someone feel uncomfortable, whether it be for religious, economic, safety, or any other reasons”.
Only a few years ago students and staff would wear costumes and celebrate Halloween, even in the boundaries of school. “The kids dress up too, they want to be part of it,” said history teacher Mark McLaughlin. McLaughlin was well known in the school for always wearing a costume on Halloween. “It was the school culture,” McLaughlin said. It’s important for the kids that they get to celebrate, McLaughlin said.
Prior to the implementation of the new policy, almost all students at Barnstable High School would be in costumes on Halloween. More than that, there were even costume contests, and a haunted house put on by the drama club. The haunted house gave kids an opportunity to join the drama club who wouldn’t normally. “It’s sad for the younger kids. Halloween is supposed to be fun,’ McLaughlin said.
Like McLaughlin, many students also had thoughts about the cancellation of Halloween in school. When the policy was announced and established in the school, many students were displeased with it. After celebrating Halloween at BHS for so long, it would be strange for it all to go away.
“It’s completely unfair,” said Elliot Brown, senior at BHS. Last year, Brown wore a costume to school on Halloween despite the policy. Brown was very upfront about his objections to the Halloween ban, displaying his distaste for the policy by wearing a pickle costume with a sign that said ‘pickle protest.’ Brown brings up how students are allowed to dress up for events like spirit week or other holidays, but not Halloween. “I try to bring the spirit with me. It’s fun. It makes people happy,” Brown said.
“I understand people love Halloween, but safety and security are my priority. People should come to school feeling safe and part of the community” Conetta said. Conetta prioritizes the security of the school. The school does not want to risk violating that under any circumstances, even if it comes at the cost of celebrating Halloween. “We do not entirely dismiss the idea of Halloween, just making learning the focus. We understand that having fun can create better learners, and that is why we have other fun activities during the month at school,” said Conetta.
When a football game was planned for October 31, the administration had it moved to the day prior after students not being able to celebrate Halloween. While the school will not be hosting any Halloween events, there are many on Cape Cod. There are the province town ghost tours, Spooky Bear Halloween Weekend, Barnstable Village haunted history and ghost tours, Falmouth village of scarecrows, and events at Yarmouth port, downtime hyannis, and Cape Cod Mall There are so many to choose from, from parties to trick or treats, movies and parades, there is something for everyone.
