Halloween, a treat for students

Every year, despite ethnicity, religion or creed, millions of children in schools throughout the nation celebrate the tradition of Halloween. By gorging themselves with various sweets and masquerading from house to house, these children recognize an originally pagan holiday that has since become so sanitized by popular culture it has become an American institution.

The Puyallup School District's decision to ban Halloween so as not to offend local Wicca populations is not only ludicrous, but takes political correctness to new and damaging levels.

When did our obsession with being non-offensive prove detrimental to the celebrations that have become so engrained in our culture? When did we decide that holidays celebrating the joy of children, autumn, and yes, the occasional fright, were society's latest assault on marginalized religion?

As a child, I longed for the illusive conclusion of October not only to see the entertaining alter egos of my classmates or the sugar-induced euphoria, but all the many productive activities surrounding it.

Many schools include in their celebration of the more than 2,000-year-old holiday learning units of cultural significance, including explorations of Mexico's "Dio de los Meurtes" and the intriguing history of "All Hallows Eve" and "All Souls Day." Such units expand students' cultural horizons and create an atmosphere of understanding as opposed to exclusion. In both cases, the holiday provides an opportunity for applied historical learning. (Thanks to Mr. GrossShader, my papier mache "Day of the Dead" mask hangs in my parent's living room.)

Additionally, in-class Halloween celebrations include artistic activities, which due to budget cuts, are no longer present in basic school curriculum. Where's the harm in carving a smiley-face on a pumpkin, drinking cider and stuffing a scarecrow full of straw? And despite claims of lost class time, such activities also allow children a break from the daily grind. Why not designate Halloween as a one of the many snow days children in Washington never receive? At least we know, that for one day, they won't only be studying for the WASL.

By not allowing students to celebrate Halloween, the Puyallup School District is robbing children of one of childhood's greatest joys: the masquerade. Dressing up provides children a self-esteem building activity, which is fun, creative and harmless. I'll never forget the Halloween my mother sent me to school in one of her slips with the word "Freudian" printed on it.

And with concerns rising every year in regards to child safety while trick-or-treating, it seems only natural that schools should provide a secure haven as an alternative. Organized constructively, the school-sanctioned Halloween carnivals of my youth provided a safe and light-hearted environment, which served more to build the community, rather than destroy it.

As Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, I will always be one of its strongest proponents. And while I understand the concerns of the Puyallup School district, I find them extreme. Celebrating Halloween is one of the great joys of childhood. Denying children that joy, as well as a learning opportunity, proves more trick than treat.