The Halloween parade is back on at the Northborough, Massachusetts, elementary schools after the initial decision to cancel it was met with outrage from some parents.
Northborough Superintendent Gregory Martineau said the initial decision was made so children who don't participate wouldn't feel left out. He said last year, 12% of elementary school students did not participate in the Halloween parade – that’s about 120 students. Some were scared of costumes, others were anxious about marching in a parade, and for some, Halloween is not aligned with their family’s beliefs.
However, parents pushed back, arguing the move would ruin the Halloween experience for their children and that the community wasn't allowed to weigh in.
“Personally I was really upset that this changed within our community without anybody in the community given the ability to really speak to it," parent Kurt Kitzman said.
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Martineau said school leaders reconsidered and decided they would move forward with the parade, but with some tweaks. Most importantly, students will not be required to participate and there will be alternative activities for them.
The parade will also be held at the beginning of the day, rather than the end, in an effort to avoid an afternoon consumed with preparations and lost learning time.
"I appreciate the Northborough parents' and citizens' feedback and those who communicated their perspectives respectfully, thoughtfully, and civilly. The principals and I do listen and value feedback," Martineau wrote in an update posted to the district website.
