On Tuesday, October 31 at 1:30 pm – We will have our Traditional Halloween parade around the block with both schools.
- Parents are welcome to join us for the parade – it’s always fun to be part of the excitement.
- Please meet your child’s class outside in the schoolyard at 1:30.
- If it rains, the parade will be a mini-march inside the schools and around the gym.
Classroom celebrations will focus on the fun and fantasy associated with this traditional festival. Children are welcome to dress up, if they wish.
We know that there is a powerful use of the imagination when children take on a new identity through wearing a costume. We suggest that students wear costumes that reflect the Waldorf inspiration of the school, so their borrowed identity reflects a character worthy of emulation – perhaps characters from traditional tales and rhymes, noble beings (animal or person), heroes from myths and legends, creators (farmers, builders, crafters, artists).
Please check that your child can safely walk around and climb stairs in their costume.
Please help us celebrate in the spirit of Waldorf:
- No violent, sexualized or commercially-focussed costumes.
- No masks to be worn during school, for safety’s sake.
- No weapons or replica weapons at all. Please save those for home use.
Food
Food is usually part of each class’s celebration, but we ask that you send only healthy and natural foods – no sugary or salty snacks. Your child’s teacher will send information home about the specific kinds of food they wish to have as part of their classroom activities.
After Halloween, please do not send candy to school. We have many children with life-threatening allergies, and often treats handed out at the door may contain contaminants or allergens such as nuts or nut oil.
If you do not wish your child to take part in Halloween celebrations, for religious reasons, please let your child’s teacher know so we can make alternate arrangements for their supervision.
Thank you
The Faculty
Jodi Smith, Bernadette Pugh, Ticia Heibein, Jolan Canrinus, Elizabeth Pasternak, Peyton Leung, Kasia Kania, Stephanie Guy
Beth Mills, Carol Shea, Co-Principals
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Hallowe’en Safety Tips
Hallowe’en provides an opportunity for parents and children to spend time together creating costumes, carving pumpkins, planning trick or treat activities and participating in family parties. Hallowe’en is a big event at schools and provides opportunities for parties, creative activities, art programs and impromptu history lessons. Hallowe’en is also a time for students, parents, and schools to take extra care to ensure safety and security.
TRICK OR TREAT SAFETY (from the TDSB)
If you are concerned about trick or treating, here are some basic safety rules to follow:
• Children should NEVER eat any treats until parents have had a chance to go through them and inspect them. Parents should look for tampering of packages and discard any they believe to be unsafe or unknown.
• Have your child carry a flashlight.
• NEVER go into a stranger’s house.
• NEVER trick or treat with people you do not know.
• Trick or treat only at homes you know.
• Children should always stay in groups if no parent is present.
• Younger children should ALWAYS be accompanied by an older person.
• Accompany your child when trick or treating.
• If you cannot accompany your child, then know the route your child will take.
• Flame resistant (retardant) costumes are in order. Keep costumes short and remind children to stay away from pumpkins with candles in them.
• Remind children to stay away from pets they do not know.
• Remind children of road safety rules. Cross only at corners. Do not criss-cross the road. Go up one side of the road and down the other side. Never cross between parked cars. Walk facing on-coming traffic if there is no sidewalk
• If adults are driving their children, drive slowly, with lights on and be cautious when pulling to the side of the road.
• Children should wear their own shoes when trick or treating. Wearing costume shoes/boots can be dangerous and uncomfortable.
• Remind children that not everyone celebrates Hallowe’en, and to avoid any homes that have no lights on. Also remind children not to run through neighbours yards or gardens.
• With older children, be sure to know what other events (such as parties) they plan on attending.
• Set time limits when children should return home.