Candy and censorship

A school district in Puyallup, Wash., is planning on abolishing Halloween costumes because the holiday celebrations distract students, because they waste classroom time, because some students can't afford to buy costumes, and lastly, because stereotypical costumes may be offensive to real witches. \nYes, really.\nThe school is planning on treating the day (pun intended) just like any other day, clothing-wise. Pumpkins and seasonal decorations are still cool, but the ban is an issue of religious sensitivity to Wiccans. Of note is that Payallup has also moved away from other religious celebrations, switching Christmas parties to winter celebrations and the like. Students are still going to be able to go trick-or-treating, but the "distraction" of costumes won't be allowed. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer quoted district spokeswoman Karen Hansen as saying that the push for academic achievement left little room for "Halloween frivolity."\nBut to this one we say -- what? We invoke the rally cry: Think of the children!\nAre they crazy? The school district is cutting out what for many is a treasured childhood memory. What do kids remember from third grade: their mummy costume or the math lesson they learn Oct. 31? And are grade-schoolers really going to be able to understand the principle of giving up their costumes for the sake of political correctness? Hopefully, the community of parents at Payallup Schools will see this for what it is and call the administration out on their ridiculous decision. This isn't about religious sensitivity; it's about the superficial appearance of political correctness.\nAt the Indiana Daily Student, we're all for inclusiveness. There's no point in not making room for everybody on the harvest celebration bandwagon, but the costume ban is taking things a step too far.