Message for families: safe and inclusive Halloween

Dear families,

The Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District seeks to foster a culture of belonging and respect, and has publicly stated its committed to anti-racism and equity. As Halloween approaches, I wanted to remind students, families, and staff of the need to be thoughtful and inclusive when selecting a costume to be worn at school. The choice of costume should always be respectful of the diverse cultural and lived experiences of all the members of our school communities.

Please consider the two following guidelines when you and/or your child are making the costume selection:

• Be kind and consider the school community. Costumes that could be offensive or perpetuate the stereotype of someone’s gender identity, culture, race, religion, age, or disability must not be worn.
• Be thoughtful and safe. Costumes that depict violence, alcohol or drugs are not appropriate. Similarly, replica weapons (e.g. guns, knives, etc.) must not be brought to school.

The choice of Halloween costume must align with the expectations set out in school codes of conduct and our district Safe, Caring and Healthy Schools policy. We must always ensure our learning environments remain safe, welcoming, inclusive, and affirming for all students, families, and staff.

We appreciate your consideration and thank you for helping keep our schools safe, caring, and inclusive this Halloween.

Sincerely,

Harry Dhillon
Superintendent