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Newington schools cancel Halloween parties

NEWINGTON– Ghosts and goblins won’t be wandering the halls of  Newington elementary schools this month. Halloween celebrations will now not take pla...

NEWINGTON-- Ghosts and goblins won't be wandering the halls of  Newington elementary schools this month.

Halloween celebrations will now not take place in any of the town's four elementary schools.

Principals from Ruth Chaffee and  Anna Reynolds School sent letters to parents because of concerns that they exclude children whose families don't celebrate the holiday.

"We want to make sure we're inclusive of all kids," Anna Reynolds Principal Jeremy Visone said. "The best way to do that was not to celebrate the holiday."

Both elementary schools held annual Halloween parades for it's kindergarten and first grade students.

The decision angered many parents.

"I think it's integral to the psyche to the children to have that," said Eric Jones, a parent with two children attending Ruth Chaffee School.

The town's other two elementary schools, John Paterson and Elizabeth Green, don't hold Halloween parades or parties, having stopped a number of years ago.

School officials wanted to have all four elementary schools have consistent policies.

"Everyone's politically correct now and you don't want to insult anyone's denomination or religion," Jones said.

Certain religious groups don't celebrate Halloween, but it's unclear whether the school system made the change with religion in-mind.

"I think it's ridiculous. I don' find it to be a big religious thing,   the kids just get together with their costumes and have fun. It's not like they talk about much, it's just a day to have fun at school," said Denise Perez, a parent of a student at Ruth  Chaffee School.

In place of the Halloween parade, a "Fall Festival" will be held at both schools.

Parents say the celebration will allow kids to "dress up" but only in costumes as their favorite literary characters.

Fox Connecticut contacted the Dr. William Collins, Superintendent of the  Newington School system, but our calls weren't returned.

 

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