Ever since I was a child I loved Halloween. As soon as the school year started in September my mind wandered directly to Halloween and what kind of costume I should wear for that year. In my opinion the fun has been taken out of Halloween for my students. They are no longer allowed to simply be kids, run away with their imagination and share their joys with their friends.
Orange and Black Day or Crazy Hair Day is just not the same as dressing up in a costume for Halloween. The best costumes always left us guessing who was behind that mask or how did they ever come up with such a great idea. Everyone laughed and had a great time.
I want to see the originality of my students. Where do their imaginations / fantasies take them? If they have put a lot of effort into finding the right costume for themselves why not wear it for more than the Trick or Treating on the evening of Halloween?
Now we often hear people say "Halloween is for after school.", "It wastes precious learning time.", "Not everyone celebrates Halloween so we shouldn't celebrate it at all!"
The day is just not the same for me any more. What is your opinion?
~ German Dancer
