With Halloween just around the corner, we want to take a moment to remind everyone about the need to be thoughtful and inclusive when selecting a costume to be worn at school. The choice of costume should always be respectful of the diverse cultural and lived experiences of all the members of our school communities and should align with the district’s stated commitment to inclusion, anti-racism, and equity.
Please keep the following two guidelines in mind as you and/or your child decide on a costume:
- Be kind and consider the school community: Choose costumes that are respectful and do not mock or demean someone’s gender identity, culture, race, religion, age, or ability. Avoid costumes that could be offensive or perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
- Be thoughtful and safe: Steer clear of costumes that depict violence, or substances like alcohol or drugs. Additionally, replica weapons (e.g., guns, knives, etc.) are not permissible at school.
The choice of Halloween costume should ultimately align with the expectations set out in our Code of Conduct. We must always ensure our learning environments remain safe, welcoming, inclusive, and affirming for all students, families, and staff. Please see attached posters to support discussions at home.
Additionally, an important reminder that we have several children with potentially lethal nut allergies at Capitol Hill Elementary. We ask that all families please refrain from sending Halloween treats to school that contain nuts. It is important to read all packaging carefully to ensure that the ingredient list does not contain peanuts or tree nuts of any kind, nor states ‘may contain traces of nuts/peanuts’. Any treats that do not meet these requirements cannot be handed out and will be sent back home with your child(ren). If you are planning to send treats, please also be sure to send enough for every student in the class.
We appreciate your consideration and thank you for helping keep our schools safe, caring, and inclusive this Halloween.
