Students and staff at Seth Boyden Elementary School in Maplewood will not be celebrating Halloween in class this year.

According to a letter sent home to parents, the school's principal and the PTA made the decision on Oct. 12.

They say the decision was made because the school has a diverse community and about 20 percent of the school's student body did not participate in last year's celebrations.

"In the past, in-school celebrations of Halloween have made many of our students feel left out - last year 120 students did not participate...and many other families kept their children home on that day," Principal Mark Quiles said in the letter.

A South Orange-Maplewood School District spokeswoman said the policy doesn't extend to other schools in the district or to other holidays at Seth Boyden Elementary.

Superintendent John Ramos Sr. issued a statement saying he respects the school's decision.

Halloween celebrations were also canceled last year at Seth Boyden Elementary, but the decision was reversed.