East Lansing Schools Will NOT Be Celebrating Halloween OR Valentine’s Day

Not content to wipe out one holiday, East Lansing schools wiped out two at one time this week.

How will those kids ever learn to express love by giving their crush the biggest Valentine? How will they ever learn that those generic orange and black wrappers signify the worst candy on earth?

Apparently, they will have to learn it on THEIR time, right Mr. Hand?

The East Lansing School District this week wiped out two holidays at once when they announced that there will be NO recognition of either Halloween or Valentine's Day at any of their elementary schools.

But, they wanted to make it clear they aren't "cancelling" either holiday. Instead, the holidays can still be used as part of the curriculum, and the example they gave was measuring the circumference of a pumpkin. What's more fun than that!? I love circumferences!!!

Assistant Superintendent Glenn Mitcham told the Lansing State Journal that the celebrations will be curtailed so that some students don't feel left out "because they don't have the same kind of costumes that other kids have or they didn't bring the same amazing valentines that other kids do."

"We're striving hard at East Lansing Public Schools to be a district that is equitable and inclusive for all families."

The elementary school principals in the district came to their decision on their own. The middle school and high school can still hold celebrations.

The official statement from the school principals read, in part:

“Along with the fun of Halloween parties and parades, we also have students whose families do not celebrate or feel comfortable with their children participating in festivities. We have young children who become overwhelmed and sometimes frightened of the costumes and others who come to school with no costume at all,” it reads. “We also have families who either keep their children home or pick them up early from school on Halloween day. Lastly, it is often difficult for children to concentrate and learn on Halloween, making it challenging for teachers to teach.”

Valentine's Day, meanwhile, brings its own level of "drama and teasing", said the principals. Some students, they wrote, "do not feel comfortable with the idea of boys and girls exchanging valentines or participating in a celebration that focuses on 'love.' "

“While this may be a disappointment and/or an adjustment for some of our students/families at first, we promise to continue to offer alternative days throughout the school year that are full of fun and learning, for everyone."

Cool, but who do I give my big Valentine to?