State of the Shelanman

Mr. Superintendant has three problems with such a party:

1. Parties, celebrations, parades... these things waste "valuable class time" that could be spent torturing children with more homework.
2. Hallowe'en parties involve dressing up in costumes. Costumes cost money, and therefore poor children will feel left out.
3. Dressing up like a witch might offend "real witches" -- that is followers of the Wiccan religion.

In my personal opinion the number one most important thing that children learn in elementary school is how to socially interact with others. Let me rephrase: It is more important that school children learn how to interact in elementary school than anything else the teachers can provide. In my opinion, the second most important lesson is how to survive in a structured environment. What about reading, writing, and 'rithmatic? I am 100% convinced that good parents will teach their children these things without the school, and that even gloriously good schooling will not be enough -- especially in the early stages... anyway, back to the point.

Since learning to interact well is an important part of education, I see no reason why on the few holidays recognized by schools, little parties can't be held.

On to the second reason. Not all costumes must be store-bought. It is entirely possible to cheaply construct an adequate costume. Besides, it is a plain and simple fact that there are wealthy people and poor people, and we must all learn to live together. It is good for the children from wealthier families to see what poverty is, and it is definitely good for everybody to learn that not everybody is the same and that having less [or more] money does not make you a worse [or better], dumber [or smarter] person. It simple defines how much stuff you can have.

The third reason. Do I really need to say anything here? This is sick, it's disgusting. I can't believe for a second that anybody would be offended by children dressing up in the traditional witch costume. I don't care if there is a religion based around it. I'm Jewish, if someone decided to dress up as a Jew, and decided that the costume should look, oh, like this, for example, I might be offended, I might find it hilarious, and either way, I'd have absolutely not right to stop you!.

On a side note, here is a collection of Hallowe'en costumes in moderately poor taste that I found amusing.

</RANT>

— The Shelanman