WRDSB clarifying confusion over Halloween

The Waterloo Region District School Board is clarifying its stance on students celebrating Halloween this year. 

Many parents were left thinking the guidance was that students not take part. That resulted in a petition being launched calling for that decision to be reversed. 

In a board trustee meeting Monday night, director of education jeewan chanicka spoke about how the school board is approaching the situation.

“With regards to the work that we've been doing, there's never been a plan to cancel Halloween,” chanicka said, “but rather not to centre Halloween so that each and every student we serve would feel comfortable coming to school. There's been no plan now, or ever to cancel Halloween.” 

chanicka said the board does want to make sure schools are as welcoming and inclusive as possible given our pandemic circumstances. 

“We want to ensure that all of the students that we serve, feel comfortable coming to school,” he said. “We're always open to constructive feedback that supports us to get better, but it has to take into consideration those being harmed by current practices. For those who connected with us to understand and clarify, I'm deeply grateful to you.” 

He notes it's a challenging time for students that the school board currently serves and the students need to experience fun and celebration.

“I want to also say that this has been consistent with our approach for the last three years,” said chanicka, “it's not a policy decision, but operational guidance provided to administrators and staff in our schools. We asked administrators not to centre the day on everyone having to participate in Halloween and to ensure that health and safety considerations were adhered to, especially with regards to COVID.” 

chanicka said that alternatives have been introduced to the school board in previous years which includes having students wear black and orange as a way to mark the occasion. 

“That allows more students to participate. Like other years, we expect that some students will show up in a costume and they will be welcomed. In this way, students can continue to engage in learning activities that are similar to what we do with many other traditions and celebrations.”

chanicka also addressed the racist and hateful comments that some staff members have received since the board's initial communication regarding Halloween. 

“The harm that I am mentioning has resulted in some staff receiving racist and hateful messages, some of which have been borderline problematic and where we have to consider whether or not we need to involve the police.”