All Hallow’s Eve and Halloween at St. Giovanni Battista Scalabrini CES

Dear St. Giovanni Battista Scalabrini CES Parents and Guardians:

In anticipation of the joy, as well as, the need for caution associated with celebrating Halloween at the end of this month, I would like to offer the following informational items for your consideration. 

Please note the importance of discouraging cultural misappropriation in costumes, and the need for appropriateness of costumes to be worn at St. Giovanni Battista Scalabrini CES.

1. Culture is NOT Costume: We ask that students and staff refrain from using costumes that represent a cultural group or ethnicity. (e.g. Indigenous, Chinese, Arabic, etc.)

2. Masks as Part of a Costume are Discouraged: Wearing masks that conceal one’s identity can compromise the safety of the community. We should always be identifiable in our community for the safety and comfort level of others in the community.

3. Awareness of Costume Appropriateness is Important: Discourage costumes that are not appropriate to the moral tone of our Catholic Schools.

4. Awareness of Fear and Evil: Be aware that Ghoulish costumes can terrify younger students, students with special needs, or students with phobias.

5. We Must Be Trauma Sensitive: There may be members of our communities who have traumas that can be triggered by certain costumes.

6. When in Doubt, Think Saint: Halloween precedes All Souls and All Saints Days. Encourage students to dress as saints and religious figures.

At St. Giovanni Battista Scalabrini CES, we would like to remind all students that costume props, and/or replica weapons including, but not limited to, toy guns, knives, axes, swords, etc., remain at home, and may not be brought to school.

If students are unsure about their costume idea, they should speak with their classroom teacher and/or the principal. We are looking forward to a safe and exciting Halloween for all with some fun activities in store for our students. Furthermore, costumes should be of simple design (to limit personal items being brought to school), and edible treats/candies/foods should not be shared, as we have many students with severe life threatening allergies. When in doubt, think saint- encourage students to dress up as saints. Masks should not be worn to school, as they present a safety risk, and some masks may even be quite scary to the younger students. Parents and students should think creatively and critically when choosing a costume, ensuring and honouring the dignity of each human person.

Thank you for your time and consideration of the above information.

Sincerely,

William H Kwon

Principal

St. Giovanni Battista Scalabrini CES