Yes, slowly but surely, all things fun are fading from our children's elementary school experience. Our school lost its parade a few years ago and now has a Fall festival. I applaud the parents and PTO of Emerson for speaking out and fighting the change.

Teachers and Unions first. Kids, nope.

Because the principal is a johovas witness had nothing to for with it I'm sure....why else would they all of the sudden jump on a change like this?? Very sad that the kids are not being thought of here

I say send your kids to school dressed up on Halloween anyway, what are they going to do put some elementary school kids in detention? Maybe everyone should keep their kids home on Halloween so the teachers and school board can drink Apple Cider all day and talk about how school used to be a place kids wanted to go to, before all this political correctness crap started!!! Fall Harvest Festival? What do kids know about harvesting anything? All they see is people buying food from ACME! I personally think the school board is out of control!!!

This wasn't a school board decision....the principal and teachers at Emerson decided to end a half century tradition in one faculty meeting :( A large number of parents attended the PTO meeting to find out if it was true. And sure enough it was. The PTO and parents made it known they were very upset. This is more then a Halloween parade, it's a community event. Everyone young and old came to enjoy the band, flag twirlers and kids in costume. The fall festival you are not permitted to bring younger siblings we were told at the meeting. So this is a loss of more then just a parade.

My children go to Emerson and they will be going to school in there costumes. You better believe it. And I dont care. The only reason teacher are ok with it is because everyone dont want to lose jobs and agree with parents. The whole year so far has been a mess with this new principal making changes. It's crazy. But everyone should put there kids in costumes and send them anyway. Honestly, the pick up is crazy also you put a piece of paper in your window and they walk kids to your car so if you have custody issues or any problems anyone can pick up your kid with a piece of paper. Really! It's crazy but honestly if we back down they will keep doing what they want. Take a stand and my kid will be told not to take off there costume call me if you got a problem.

I am a parent of a George Washington Student, and what Sam Lee said of Washington doing a Fall Festival is true, but the principal Mark Walicki also stopped the Halloween festivities not for the same reasons as Emerson. He did so for the reason of "Child Custody" issues. Since there has been issues in the past with Custody Orders, and He had that experience before, and Halloween Parades being a big school ordeal for parents to come and see their kids in costume and parade not knowing what the custody orders are for which parent can and can't be there, he discontinued it. He also made a compromise with the PTO and said they can do a Halloween Dance to make up for the Parade, and it has made a "BIG" differance. The kids REALLY REALLY enjoy it.

As a clergyman, I find this appalling. Though Halloween's roots are pagan, it has evolved over the centuries to be a celebration for children. The ties to it's roots, much like Christmas, are non-existent in today's world. The fact that these are employees of the community, the community should have the final say.

I do not understand why a principal's assumed religious views are having an impact on a tradition that has existed for many years. I think she needs to give explanation as to why this event is unacceptable rather than having the Board do the talking for her. Since the parents (taxpayers) are paying her salary, she owes a proper explanation to all those involved.

I can't believe this is getting do much attention with everything else going on. The harvest festival is still a fun event for the kids and will not be upsetting for kids who are afraid of costumes, kids that can't afford costumes, and kids who have parents that can't be there. It seems to me like they are thinking of the children

This has been a tradition since I was in school and for me to have kids of my own now and cannot watch them do the parade is very upsetting to me. I am sorry to hear that some kids are afraid of costumes and also may not be able to afford them but why should they ruin it for the majority. I feel this is a religious view that is being pushed down to our kids, since prayer was taken out of the school than keep all religious views out of the schools and let the kids have their parade. I am sorry that kid’s parents cannot be there but that is life and let the kids have their memories.

Am happy to hear that the Halloween parade will be happening , after the school day but it seems that the kids will be able to have fun with a tradition ... Good work to all those thought it was important to stand up & have their voices heard .

As a former Emerson PTO volunteer & board member as well as a parent of 3 Emerson alumni students. I find it appalling that the parade is discontinued. I have been told the reason behind this is that there has been bullying because children do not have costumes. First, this principal has not been at Emerson to experience non-costume bullying first-hand. I have never seen bullying or children w/o costumes in the 15 yrs my children were there. I know that parents at the PTO meeting were told this and have rallied together to collect boxes & bags of costumes for children in this situation. The principal was informed of this and still decides not to have the parade.

I know first hand from the Truman band mothers that the band is upset & angry that they could not participate in the parade. It is a tradition for them to walk from Truman to Emerson playing for the neighbors to listen to & then lead the Emerson students in the parade. No other elementary school has this. Emerson students can see the band & hope to one day participate in the band & perform in the Emerson parade.

The principal should incorporate the Fall Harvest Festivities during the day & end w/ the parade.

We saved the parade!!! It will be an after school event but this is the compromise. Thank-you everyone for your support and helping keep this tradition at Emerson! More details to follow so keep an eye out.

Irvin you are 100% right , now all parents that want to see their kids in the parade have to come to school after hours not only to see them but to take them home, I'm sure there is no buses to transport all the kids home late.