School District Bans Halloween Festivities

Link : http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=3&u=/nm/20041022/od_nm/odd_halloween_dc

SEATTLE (Reuters) - A Washington state school district has banned Halloween parties during the school day because it says children dressed up as goblins and witches take time away from learning, officials said on Thursday


"Our number one priority is protecting the instructional day," said Puyallup School District Superintendent Tony Apostle after the district canceled observance of the Oct. 31 celebration.


Apostle said the 20,000-student district, located about 30 miles south of Seattle, doesn't have enough time in the day as it is to teach students everything they need to know.


District spokeswoman Karen Hansen said most Puyallup schools haven't had Halloween celebrations or observations for years.


Schools that want to have Halloween parties are welcome to have them, she said, but only after the school day ends.


Other U.S. schools have banned Halloween festivities because some families don't celebrate it for religious reasons and other cannot afford costumes.