The South Orange-Maplewood School District announced this month that there no longer be any Halloween celebrations during school hours.

In a letter to parents, the district stated that the reason was to promote “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Superintendent Dr. Ronald G. Taylor said in the letter that when officials made the decision, they based it on three crucial questions.

1. Is promoting school-sponsored Halloween activities creating indirect and unintentional financial hardships for students and families?

2. Do school-sponsored Halloween activities violate the dignity of some of our students and families, either culturally or religiously?

3. Does the promotion of school-sponsored Halloween activities create tensions with the equity and access values of SOMSD?

Taylor said that the decision was made that no Halloween-themed activities would take place during school hours. This means, no costumes, parties or parades. He also stated that schools can partner with PTAs or other outside organizations for Halloween events outside of school hours.

Taylor also stated that some elementary schools were working on fall/harvest festival-themed events that can occur during school hours and can be held on Oct. 31.