Public schools across the country are cancelling Halloween celebrations. |
Public schools across the country are cancelling Halloween celebrations over issues ranging from candy corn to concerns that Americans are forcing their holiday traditions on new immigrants and many parents are angered by what they are calling political correctness. The principal at Buckman Elementary School in Portland, OR recently banned costumes at his school, calling instead for boys and girls to embrace a “spirit of equity.” “For many reasons, the celebration of Halloween at school can lead to student exclusion,” Principal Brian Anderson wrote in a letter to parents. “There are social, financial and cultural differences among our families that we must respect.” Anderson told the newspaper that any child who shows up to school with a costume will be required to change clothes. He defended his ban saying that Halloween at school excludes children. “We’re pushing our traditions on an ever-changing population,” he told the Portland Mercury. “Halloween is, in many ways, personal to some people and to other people it’s very offensive.” Halloween celebrations have also been banned in some schools across Michigan. “Change is hard,” Carol Dawson told the Muskegon Chronicle. She’s the principal at Holton Elementary school – where candy corn and candied apples have been replaced with a fall festival focused on health and wellness. Edgewood Elementary School in Fruitport, MI, decided to steer clear of both Halloween parties and costumes parades. The principal told the Chronicle she wanted to keep children safe and avoid hurt feelings. “Emotionally, it is a difficult time for kids who don’t have costumes,” Amy Upham told the newspaper. So instead of cookies and candy, the kids at Edgewood Elementary will get “fall-centered fun and educational activities.” In Springfield, NJ, elementary school principals banned costumes claiming it caused classroom disruptions. (Read by Lee Hannon. Lee Hannon is a journalist at the China Daily Website.) (Agencies)
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全美多所公立學校將取消萬圣節的慶祝活動,理由包括不要讓孩子們吃太多玉米糖,以及擔心美國人把假期傳統強加給新移民。他們所謂的“政治正確性”激怒了很多家長。 俄勒岡州波特蘭巴克曼小學的校長最近頒布禁令,不允許在學校穿萬圣節服飾,轉而呼吁學生們心懷“平等精神”。 校長布萊恩?安德森在寫給家長的信中說:“出于多種原因,學校的萬圣節慶祝會導致某些學生被孤立。我們的家庭社會、經濟、文化背景各異,這些都必須得到尊重。” 安德森告訴報紙記者,任何穿著萬圣節服裝來學校的學生都將被要求換衣服。他為自己的禁令辯護稱,學校搞萬圣節慶祝會把某些學生排斥在外。 他告訴《波特蘭水星報》:“我們將自己的傳統強加于不斷變化的人群。在很多方面,萬圣節對一些人來說是展露個性的節日,但對另一些人來說卻讓人厭惡。” 密歇根的一些學校也頒布了萬圣節慶祝禁令。 霍爾特小學校長卡羅爾?道森告訴《馬斯基根紀事報》:“這種改變很艱難。”在這所小學,用來慶祝萬圣節的玉米糖和蜜餞蘋果已經被以健康生活為核心的秋季節慶所取代。 密歇根弗盧特波特的埃奇伍德小學決定今年不舉行萬圣節派對和萬圣節服飾游行。校長告訴《馬斯基根紀事報》,她想確保孩子們的安全,并且避免感情傷害。 艾米?阿帕姆告訴該報:“那些沒有萬圣節服飾的孩子心里會很難過。” 因此,埃奇伍德小學的孩子們今年雖然吃不到萬圣節餅干和糖果,但將“在秋季節慶中收獲快樂,參加教育活動。” 在新澤西的斯普林菲爾德,多所小學的校長禁穿萬圣節服飾,表示這會擾亂課堂秩序。 相關閱讀 (中國日報網英語點津 Julie 編輯:陳丹妮) |
Vocabulary: steer clear of: to avoid something or someone because they are dangerous or bad for you(避開,避免) |