This Week in the Mercury
Thursday, October 13, 2011
News Buckman School Bans Halloween Costumes
Posted by Sarah Mirk on Thu, Oct 13, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Parents of Buckman Elementary, an arts magnet school in SE Portland, are petitioning the principal overturn a new ban on Halloween costumes.
Parents, reportedly including Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker, gathered in front of the school wearing witch hats earlier this week gathering signatures on a pro-costume petition which they say now runs to over 250 names.
Buckman Principal Brian Anderson broke the no-costume news to parents in a letter last week. The note argues for replacing the spooky spirit of Halloween with the spirit of equity:
For many reasons, the celebration of Halloween at school can lead to student exclusion. There are social, financial and cultural differences among our families that we must respect. The spirit of equity has led most PPS (Portland Public Schools) schools, including most elementary schools, to deemphasize the celebration of Halloween at school.
One angry parent, Shannon Brazil, blogged her reaction: "This country’s obsession with the politically correct is really getting out of hand."
Dwight Reid is another parent who signed the petition—his third grader and fifth grader dressed up last year as a Hogwarts student and Ghostbuster. "I have no problem keeping away the sugary treats, but you have to remember that this is an arts focused school. It attracts a certain kind of parent who is really into their kids being creative and dressing up," says Reid.
So will the school actually send home kids who show up in costumes, as parents worry? I've got a call in to the principal's office to find out.
Update 1:33 PM—Principal Brian Anderson responds by clarifying that this is the second year that Buckman has banned costumes and parties with sugary treats. Anderson says the school site council, school PTA, and 90 percent of the staff agreed that Buckman shouldn't be having Halloween at school because it excludes kids.
"We're pushing our traditions on an ever-changing population," says Anderson. "I used to work at Kelly Elementary [at SE 92nd and Foster] and the school was 40 percent Russian. The Russian kids wouldn't come to school that day because people were dressing up and celebrating Halloween. Halloween is, in many ways, personal to some people and to other people it's very offensive."
Instead, the school will be celebrating a "Harvest Festival" during school on Monday, October 31, when teachers are encouraged to host some sort of fall party with pumpkin carving and the like. If kids do show up in costumes that violate the Portland Public Schools dress code, says Anderson, the school will phone their parents to either bring them new clothes or give them something different to wear.
1
SO WHEN SOME PRO-LIFE PARENT SENDS LIL' TIMMY TO SCHOOL DRESSED AS AN EVIL ABORTIONIST COMPLETE WITH ABORTED FETUSES, WHAT WILL THESE PARENTS SAY? START SENDING YOUR KID TO SCHOOL DRESSED IN A COSTUME EVERYDAY. THAT'LL SHOW 'EM.
2
Banning Halloween costumes in the "spirit of equity"?
Who does this principal think he's fucking kidding? So will he ban all christmas decorations since acknowleging christmas violates the seperation of state and church, and forces religion upon unwilling students who aren't christian?
Who does this principal think he's fucking kidding? So will he ban all christmas decorations since acknowleging christmas violates the seperation of state and church, and forces religion upon unwilling students who aren't christian?
3
"This country’s obsession with the politically correct is really getting out of hand."
Wow, how long did it take you to notice?
Wow, how long did it take you to notice?
4
Fuck, this is the kind of thing that makes me feel like a Republican in this city. ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS PORTLAND
5
DamosA, they let you out already?
How 'bout Jesusween celebration costumes?
Mother Mary, Jesus, etc?
How 'bout Jesusween celebration costumes?
Mother Mary, Jesus, etc?
7
So, all the kids who'd rather celebrate Halloween shouldn't show up to school that day, either, just like he said the Russian kids didn't.
8
Political correctness IS out of hand. Instead of trying to protect ourselves from other cultures by excluding ALL cultures or trying to come up with some sort of half-hearted-politically-correct-soulless-asinine holiday, we should be celebrating each other's cultures and teaching each other about them. Russian kids don't like Halloween? Teach them about the benign and culturally significant meaning it has for Americans. Russian kids want to celebrate Christmas on January 7th like they do in the motherland? Throw them a christmas party and teach the american kids about it. Atheist kids don't want to celebrate Christmas? They don't have to, all they have to do is show support for those who do by simply letting them do it.
It's really not that hard, I don't know how we fuck this up so badly.
It's really not that hard, I don't know how we fuck this up so badly.
9
We attend that school. We were told last year that the reason there was no Halloween costumes is that it interfered with "grandparents and special friends day". We were confused, to say the least, but complied. This year it is banned outright and many of us are not happy about it.
10
We also need to break away from the idea that other culture's practices (even subcultures within our own american culture) are somehow offensive. People should be allowed to practice their cultures to the extent that it does not harm others.
For the love of holy fuck. /soapbox
For the love of holy fuck. /soapbox
11
I like Scrum's idea - things got fucked up in the first place because everyone's afraid of getting slapped with lawsuits.
Just like health insurance.
Just like health insurance.
13
The good news is, as an arts magnet school, Buckman encourages kids to be creative. As a result, students don't need Halloween as an excuse to dress up. I've seen lions roaming Buckman's halls in January, clowns on the playground in March, and little Lady Gagas in the cafeteria on any given day.
14
There is no respect for the children who want to wear costumes. If you threaten the
school by saying you will not show up if kids dress up to celebrate the holiday, and
you find it offensive, you can dictate policy, and you can manipulate, with this cultural
sensitivty crap. In terms of what the 90 percent of teachers, they probably have to zip their lips. Their boss is the principal, why would they openly disagree? It may be foolish
when a principal thinks he knows best and is insensitive to the feelings of the children
who want to use their imagination and dress-up. You cannot send your kids out in
some areas. The school is erasing a tradition. Halloween use to bond people. Maybe
Buckman will start book burning, maybe some of the fairytales have offensive symbolism?
Where does it end?
school by saying you will not show up if kids dress up to celebrate the holiday, and
you find it offensive, you can dictate policy, and you can manipulate, with this cultural
sensitivty crap. In terms of what the 90 percent of teachers, they probably have to zip their lips. Their boss is the principal, why would they openly disagree? It may be foolish
when a principal thinks he knows best and is insensitive to the feelings of the children
who want to use their imagination and dress-up. You cannot send your kids out in
some areas. The school is erasing a tradition. Halloween use to bond people. Maybe
Buckman will start book burning, maybe some of the fairytales have offensive symbolism?
Where does it end?
16
did anyone actually read the article? most of your comments read like reactionary teaparty nutjobs. at a previous school some 40% of kids were russian and they wouldn't come to school because of the holiday, and not because they thought it was a day off. Celebrating Halloween when I was a kid began at 6pm on October 31st, and ended around 9. how about some compassion for all of those around us? If my kid wants to dress fancy on the 31st she will be allowed to, as long as she's still following the school rules....
17
I thought this was ridiculous too, until I read about the Russian kids not celebrating Halloween. Then it became a bit more complicated.
18
Yeah, boo hoo for the Russians. Most of whom are opposed to Halloween not because it wasn't practiced in the Motherland but, rather because they come from evangelical christian backgrounds that forbid such practice.
They're entitled to their belief and we're entitled to ours.
SAMHAIN!!
They're entitled to their belief and we're entitled to ours.
SAMHAIN!!
19
Well russians in general are pretty bigoted, hateful, just plain mean people, anyways. The fact that most of them are either roman catholics or mobed up or both explains alot. So that russians don't like Halloween isn't the least bit surprising.
20
Buckman is an amazing school with outstanding teachers and leadership. Seems that some parents need to take care of their own children and stop relying on schools to be the hub for all events and holidays. Make up your own traditions people. Have fun in your neighborhoods and invite the kids over. The kids at Buckman have an amazing experience daily. And one day of dressing up in costumes isnt going to change anything. The End!
21
Oh the kids at Buckman. Just the cream of the crop of "creative" Portlanders who simply fucking deserve to display their uniqueness. This place'll be intolerable once they grow up--all those special snowflakes running around. That is, if they don't move to Fargo, ND----on track to be the new Portland-style "Paris of the 20's" by the time they reach their annoying 20's.
22
And it isn't just the Russians---I wonder why the PPS doesn't have a blanket policy concerning this---I bet a lot of the schools east of 205 with large immigrant enrollment don't allow it. But hey, it's Buck fucking man---the spawn of the almighty Sleater-Kinney attends---let 'em express their creativity. Wonder if any of 'em will go as Gus Fring post bomb face? if so, I say allow it!
23
My kids go to Buckman as well. There is no plan for a Harvest celebration on the 31st. There is a "harvest party" planned for Nov. 9th for 5th graders only. It appears Brian may have misspoke. I I don't believe by allowing children to have the option of wearing costumes on Halloween that we are "pushing" our traditions on others. And even if that is the case...isn't dressing up on Halloween an American tradition and by allowing others to dictate otherwise in fact is pushing others beliefs on Americans?
24
Also, the reason why parents did not make an issue out of this ordeal last year was because we were told Halloween conflicted with another Buckman event, we complied without question. But this year is different, there is no conflict. Brian says doing away with costumes and Halloween celebrations was agreed upon by the PTA...again, not the case, I am an active Buckman PTA member and there was no vote and minimal discussion of this matter. One parent said it best... "What more can I remove from my child's life to make you more comfortable?"
25
Would another country even consider changing their culture to make their immigrant population more comfortable? Not a chance. Germany without Octoberfest? Just because someone was against beer? Laughable. While worrying about infringing on our immigrant population's culture, we're forsaking our own. When moving to another country, one should consider the place that we're moving to. Going to Saudi Arabia? Don't expect to be treated with the same courtesy as you would in Beaverton. Think with your brains, people.
26
1. for those making the comments about Christmas etc...Most public schools have banned anything related specifically to Christmas. Everything is "Winter" you might get a few where things are "holiday" but those are only the really ambitious schools that work hard to give equal face time to every holiday during that time.
2. In spite of #1, this really isn't an issue of political correctness. It's about distractions and the ability to educate & learn. Anything that creates division among students is a distraction that infringes upon the opportunity to learn. In an environment of serious cut backs you have to choose your battles. It makes a lot more sense to be more inclusive then exclusive. If you are faced with a situation where a segment of your school population would be driven to the point of not attending school (be it for religious, cultural or socio-economics) because you chose to participate in an activity that was not based on it's educational value. You simply don't do it. It does not preclude anyone from celebrating at home.
3. You need to spend a little more time in the schools lately. I promise you, it's not how you remember things. Things are much more complicated for everyone. Students, teachers and administration. They all have much more important things to focus on then halloween cosutumes.
Finally, for the record, for those whom might want to trash my opinions. I LOVE Halloween, I have a blast with it. Our house is done up every year! So no I'm not a Halloween hater. I work in schools and have for years. I've seen it both ways. I adore how excited the kids are to talk about and show thier costumes. I am heartbroken by the kids I counsel because they couldn't afford to dress up or thier parents just didn't have the ambition to help them and now they aren't able to fully participate with their peers.
More...
2. In spite of #1, this really isn't an issue of political correctness. It's about distractions and the ability to educate & learn. Anything that creates division among students is a distraction that infringes upon the opportunity to learn. In an environment of serious cut backs you have to choose your battles. It makes a lot more sense to be more inclusive then exclusive. If you are faced with a situation where a segment of your school population would be driven to the point of not attending school (be it for religious, cultural or socio-economics) because you chose to participate in an activity that was not based on it's educational value. You simply don't do it. It does not preclude anyone from celebrating at home.
3. You need to spend a little more time in the schools lately. I promise you, it's not how you remember things. Things are much more complicated for everyone. Students, teachers and administration. They all have much more important things to focus on then halloween cosutumes.
Finally, for the record, for those whom might want to trash my opinions. I LOVE Halloween, I have a blast with it. Our house is done up every year! So no I'm not a Halloween hater. I work in schools and have for years. I've seen it both ways. I adore how excited the kids are to talk about and show thier costumes. I am heartbroken by the kids I counsel because they couldn't afford to dress up or thier parents just didn't have the ambition to help them and now they aren't able to fully participate with their peers.
27
It's seriously hilarious that even Buckman now does this crap. Nearly all the kids there are white and middle class---not to mention Buckman's defacto official middle school, Da Vinci, pretty much lets kids wear costumes EVERY day! And guess what, everyone's happy and fighting to get in there!
That said, last year my daughter's elementary school (Atkinson) pulled this exact same crap. Although the kids weren't allowed candy or to wear costumes (my daughter wore hers anyway, smugly showed it off and nothing happened), interestingly, the principal allowed all Spanish immerison students (her pet project) to celebrate Day of the Dead with lots of chocolate and various traditions. Apparently the possibility of offending others wasn't a consideration when it was something SHE was into.
That said, last year my daughter's elementary school (Atkinson) pulled this exact same crap. Although the kids weren't allowed candy or to wear costumes (my daughter wore hers anyway, smugly showed it off and nothing happened), interestingly, the principal allowed all Spanish immerison students (her pet project) to celebrate Day of the Dead with lots of chocolate and various traditions. Apparently the possibility of offending others wasn't a consideration when it was something SHE was into.
28
And I am sure that schools in Russia, Mexico and other countries would stop celebrating their cultural traditions immediately if American children were enrolled there!
29
Could everbody please, for the love, get over it. This "outrage" over halloween is laughable. The attention and time you all are pouring into this is redik. Here's an idea all you Buckman parents, how about you take all that passion you feel surrounding your precious angel not being able to dress up and put it into something that actually matters. Like, for example, volunteering in your classrooms. Where are all of you then? ummmmmm.
30
I am sure the 90% staff agree with the principal because he is their boss, plain & simple.
If kids cannot celebrate Halloween, the teachers probably have to zip their lips.
If kids cannot celebrate Halloween, the teachers probably have to zip their lips.
31
@zumpie...interesting. @jake, yeah pretty much. I used to live near Da Vinci, and a lot of those kids are annoying, loud and entitled little douchebags. I can only picture what their parents are like. Btw people, its SCHOOL. Boo fucking ho if your child can't wear a costume. Seriously, I am beginning to really wonder about this town
32
This is absolutely absurd. This reeks of fundamentalist Christian doctrine. What is the Orthodox Christian Russian Rule? Where is the separation of state and church, why must we tiptoe around people's socially manipulative hard line minority religiously bias philosophies. As a parent of Buckman, this is so stupid that i think I'm dressing up as barney and putting a 666 across my forehead when i bring my son to school Monday.
34
@ The Showstopper. . . You just called 12 and 13 year old kids douche bags. It takes a big man to be able to put down children, good job buddy!
Not sure what exactly you are wondering about this town.... But I thought I'd take a minute to encourage you to go ahead and leave. We don't need people like you here anyway.
Meanwhile, as a Buckman parent I've seen a lot change over the last 8 years but I gotta say, I don't really care if the Halloween parties go by the wayside. Not all teachers let their students have a party and for the kids who's teacher doesn't have a party the entire day just sucks. My kids always needed help with their costumes in the afternoon, and its a difficult reason to skip out on work. I'd much rather leave work to volunteer in class, go on a field trip or attend Grandparent and Special Friends day.
This has caused so much negative attention for our school, which affects the teachers, administration and students. How many phone calls and emails are our admin staff having to field about this? How much time is being wasted over this?
I appreciate Mr. Anderson for other things he has brought to the school. Over the summer, he fought to keep our dance teacher at full-time - which to me is a HUGE success for the students.
Can't we take all this energy and effort being poured into Halloween parties and put it towards getting PE back? Or helping the SUN program find funding? Or forcing the school to offer healthier lunch options?
Not sure what exactly you are wondering about this town.... But I thought I'd take a minute to encourage you to go ahead and leave. We don't need people like you here anyway.
Meanwhile, as a Buckman parent I've seen a lot change over the last 8 years but I gotta say, I don't really care if the Halloween parties go by the wayside. Not all teachers let their students have a party and for the kids who's teacher doesn't have a party the entire day just sucks. My kids always needed help with their costumes in the afternoon, and its a difficult reason to skip out on work. I'd much rather leave work to volunteer in class, go on a field trip or attend Grandparent and Special Friends day.
This has caused so much negative attention for our school, which affects the teachers, administration and students. How many phone calls and emails are our admin staff having to field about this? How much time is being wasted over this?
I appreciate Mr. Anderson for other things he has brought to the school. Over the summer, he fought to keep our dance teacher at full-time - which to me is a HUGE success for the students.
Can't we take all this energy and effort being poured into Halloween parties and put it towards getting PE back? Or helping the SUN program find funding? Or forcing the school to offer healthier lunch options?
37
What a joke! Isn't this supposed to be a creative school? Is the administration and teachers to lazy to turn this into a learning opportunity? Also, what ever happened to assimilation? If you come to the US, you do as the US citizens do.
38
The only rationale I can imagine for this policy is that some kid's won't be able to have a costume, perhaps because their parent(s) are working three part time jobs and don't have time to help make one. But it seems to me that it would be easy to incorporate costume making into the curriculum, in fact it could be a great learning/teaching opportunity for all involved. Questions of what is scary, what is a hero, and what are the symbols that best portray the qualities of the character could all be productively explored in class and costumes could be created at school. I'm out side of the debate, so forgive me if I'm missing some finer point of the issue. I live in Buckman and my daughter (who is now a senior) attended Buckman. I'm surprised by this news, it seems kind of bizarre.
39
I think that the strong reaction to this story isn't because Halloween is being cancelled at Buckman, but because of the lame reasons for doing so. Halloween is part of the American culture, it's the second largest holiday we have economically speaking, and it's something the kids look forward to all year. The principal said that "We're pushing our traditions on an ever-changing population," but I don't see the problem with that. Immigrants come to this country and bring their traditions with them (a fact which I love), so why shouldn't they be exposed to our traditions as well? I do sympathize that some kids can't afford elaborate costumes and many parents don't have the time even if they do have the money, but that doesn't mean everyone should miss out. A magnet school for the arts ought to be just about the best place to overcome those obstacles. PPS, and this principal in particular, need to get the fuck over themselves.
40
Wow, sure are a lot of Buckman haters out there. What's that all about? White, middle class... No, it's quite a bit more diverse than that. Plenty of hard-working people OUT OF DISTRICT (that means you all have an equal shot. Yes, you do. If you don't want that for your kids, you DO have other options) who simply want art-based education. Those who bash it...I'm guessing you don't see the arts as an ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE so, likewise, why the hell defend Halloween as a good ol' American tradition? (hmmm...makes one think...). Don't bash the kids or school. You don't have to like it and you DO have a choice. We're American after all! ;)
41
Hm, 2nd biggest holiday- economically, eh? Wonder whose driving the Halloween-love... it was not this big of a deal 30 years ago when it was me in school. I actually disliked the dressing up @ school- it's a LONG TIME to be wearing something that is quite likely uncomfortable. And the day is just a wash anyway, making it feel even longer. And yet, you didn't want to not dress up, that just wasn't done... Really, there are SO MANY community carnivals and whatnot, how much hullaballoo is needed?
I just dislike the idea that it must be some anti-American plot... lots of schools don't have costumes or parties, it's not that big of a deal.
I just dislike the idea that it must be some anti-American plot... lots of schools don't have costumes or parties, it's not that big of a deal.
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