Show Notes

• Two articles on Cybertraps.com
  • Halloween Costumes Result in the Suspension of 14 Idaho Educators https://www.cybertraps.com/2018/11/04/halloween-costumes-result-in-the-suspension-of–14-idaho-educators/
  • What Do Pokémon Balls, Pumpkins, and Death Stars Have in Common? Just Google “Baby Bump Costumes”! https://www.cybertraps.com/2016/10/18/what-do-pokemon-balls-pumpkins-and-death-stars-have-in-common-just-google-baby-bump-costumes/
• When did Halloween become such a big deal?
  • Blame the 1980s
• First Amendment – Is dressing up a form of speech?
  • Yes, but same analysis as other types of speech
• Educators Are Role Models
• The Role of Social Media
  • All it takes is one photo
  • How well do you know your friends
• Potentially Problematic Costumes
  • Political commentary
  • Overly sexualized
  • Cultural appropriation
  • Mocking specific groups or an individual
  • Making fun of a tragedy
• Considerations for Administrators
  • Halloween celebrations and costume parades can put pressure on disadvantaged families
  • Costumes can create division in the school community
  • Impact on the repu
  • Students may feel marginalized or attacked
• Resources – #2021–10–19 Native American Chief, Anne Frank, And 15 Other Costumes You Should Absolutely Steer Clear Of On Halloween https://www.buzzfeed.com/simrinsingh/problematic-halloween-costumes – #2021–05–29 London principal removed from position after backlash over wearing student’s dreadlocks https://globalnews.ca/news/7905066/london-ont-principal-removed-wearing-dreadlocks/ – #2020–10–31 Two Syracuse school employees put on leave for racist Halloween costumes https://cnycentral.com/news/local/two-syracuse-school-employees-put-on-leave-for-racist-halloween-costumes – #2020–10–30 Political costume nixed at Okay Elementary https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/schools/political-costume-nixed-at-okay-elementary/article_f55fe23e–8e76–5822-a2db-d79d49825e0c.html – #2019–11–07 Milpitas blackface teacher admits he made ‘horrible mistake’ https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/11/07/milpitas-blackface-teacher-admits-he-made-horrible-mistake/ – #2019–11–05 A teacher wore blackface to school while dressing up as Common. He’s been suspended. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/11/05/teacher-wore-blackface-school-while-dressing-up-common-hes-been-suspended/ – #2019–11–02 Halloween Costumes and a Facebook Post Upset NHUHSD Community https://kymkemp.com/2019/11/02/halloween-costumes-and-a-facebook-post-upset-nhuhsd-community/ – #2019–05–24 Southern California teachers under fire for dressing up in sombreros and mustaches for yearbook photos https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/05/24/southern-california-teachers-under-fire-dressing-up-sombreros-mustaches-yearbook-photos/ – #2019–03–19 Lingering anger over teacher’s Trump-hat Halloween costume fuels racial tensions at top Newark high school https://newark.chalkbeat.org/2019/3/19/21107175/lingering-anger-over-teacher-s-trump-hat-halloween-costume-fuels-racial-tensions-at-top-newark-high – #2019–02–01 Teacher who wore blackface for Bob Marley Halloween costume may get fired https://www.yahoo.com/now/teacher-wore-blackface-bob-marley-halloween-costume-may-get-fired–191526845.html – #2018–10–26 Why has Halloween become so popular among adults? https://theconversation.com/why-has-halloween-become-so-popular-among-adults–104896 – #2018–10–25 Iowa teacher under investigation after wearing blackface to Halloween party https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/413188-iowa-teacher-under-investigation-after-wearing-blackface-to – #2016–11–04 Seattle high school teacher suspended for controversial Halloween costume https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/seattle-high-school-teacher-suspended-for-controversial-halloween-costume/463887455/ – #2014–10–29 In Classrooms, Halloween Costumes Can Raise Sensitive Issues https://www.edweek.org/leadership/in-classrooms-halloween-costumes-can-raise-sensitive-issues/2014/10 – #2014–10–21 10 Days until Halloween: Step Away from the “Indian” Costume https://nativeappropriations.com/2014/10/10-days-until-halloween-step-away-from-the-indian-costume.html