An elementary school has decided to cancel Halloween events, saying the holiday is not inclusive and can be awkward for some children.The principal of Mitchell Elementary School in Needham announced the change Thursday in a letter to families.“For many years Mitchell has celebrated Halloween with class parties and a parade of students in costume. However, Halloween is a holiday that not all families celebrate and -- for a variety of reasons -- some Mitchell families keep their children home from school on that day,” Principal Gregory Bayse wrote, adding one teacher said there was “awkwardness planning a class celebration knowing that not all of her students would be able to participate.”Bayse said the faculty was “near-unanimous in believing” the school should no longer host Halloween events.“I recognize that this decision will be disappointing to some who may feel like Mitchell is changing. I would agree that this represents a change, but I believe that in the long-term any change towards including all children is a positive change that will benefit our students and our community,” he wrote.Instead of Halloween, the school will hold William Mitchell Day – a celebration of autumn and the school -- on Nov. 9.

An elementary school has decided to cancel Halloween events, saying the holiday is not inclusive and can be awkward for some children.

The principal of Mitchell Elementary School in Needham announced the change Thursday in a letter to families.




“For many years Mitchell has celebrated Halloween with class parties and a parade of students in costume. However, Halloween is a holiday that not all families celebrate and -- for a variety of reasons -- some Mitchell families keep their children home from school on that day,” Principal Gregory Bayse wrote, adding one teacher said there was “awkwardness planning a class celebration knowing that not all of her students would be able to participate.”



Bayse said the faculty was “near-unanimous in believing” the school should no longer host Halloween events.



“I recognize that this decision will be disappointing to some who may feel like Mitchell is changing. I would agree that this represents a change, but I believe that in the long-term any change towards including all children is a positive change that will benefit our students and our community,” he wrote.



Instead of Halloween, the school will hold William Mitchell Day – a celebration of autumn and the school -- on Nov. 9.

