Halloween Still Raises Church-State Concerns In Some Schools

Today is Halloween.  Earlier this week, AP reported on upset parents in some Pennsylvania school districts where Halloween celebrations had been cancelled or scaled back. Schools that have cut back on Halloween cite church-state issues as only one factor.  Some parents object to what they see as religious overtones of witches, demons and ghosts.  But schools are also concerned about security in light of the recent spate of school shootings.  Costumes might disguise a shooter, or parties at which parents are welcome might make schools more accessible to outsiders who pose a danger.  Some schools are also concerned about Halloween cutting into traditional instruction time.  For those who are interested in exploring the mixed origins of Halloween at greater length, the Boston Globe last week reviewed seven books that delve into the topic at great length.