CLEAR LAKE RIVIERA — A ban on wearing Halloween costumes at Riviera Elementary School (RES) resulted in a reversal after parents raised concerns that brought about a meeting Monday evening at the school cafeteria.
Approximately 45 parents and school staff came out to the meeting. RES Principal Diana Davidson addressed the concerns of all in attendance immediately by saying the decision to ban wearing costumes had been reversed. The school will now hold a parade on Halloween where children can wear costumes. Davidson said after the parade, students will be asked to remove their costumes and continue with a minimum day of school.
Davidson said the ban on Halloween costumes was a “more emotional issue” than the school staff had anticipated, prompting the reversal. Davidson said the entire RES staff had decided in August to focus on school curriculum and create an all-inclusive parade.
RES students this week started working on a long-term mask project based on what they”ve been learning in their classes. Davidson said the students have begun decorating masks that represent different cultures, such as Mexican masks celebrating Dia de los Muertos, as well as different elements from their studies, such as the rainforest. The plan was to culminate in a parade known as the “March of the Masks.”
The march will still occur on Halloween. Children can wear the masks with or without their costumes. Davidson said the intent of the masks and banning of costumes was to include all the children because some children do not dress up on Halloween for various personal reasons and get teased. She said many students do not come to school on Halloween for these reasons.
Many teachers and parents spoke out at the meeting. Davidson said letters informing parents of the Halloween costume ban were sent out Oct. 3, prompting many parents who spoke to say this was too little time, for which Davidson apologized. When Davidson announced a reversal on the ban at the start of the meeting, some parents expressed frustration that they had to make arrangements to attend the meeting only to find out the ban was reversed.
A few parents said the whole situation showed the school had a lack of communication with parents. Davidson invited parents and students to come and speak with her on any issue, saying that “my door is open, please talk to me.” She said parents and staff need to continue to talk about things at the school and reach compromises when disagreements arise.
One woman ended the meeting by reminding all assembled about a message on the RES website: “The students of this school are its heart and soul and we strive to meet their potential at every opportunity. This goal is only attainable if we the school and you the family work together.”
Kevin N. Hume can be reached at kevin.n.hume@gmail.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 14.
