Oct. 28, 1999
Utah schools have been full of Halloween activities this week.
But in a growing number of those schools, the traditions are changing.
News Specialist Nadine Wimmer shows why schools are moving away from ghosts and ghouls to a kinder, gentler Halloween.
Rows of pumpkins show the holiday at one school,
but you won't see kids in costume.
At a growing number of Utah schools, educators want to keep the school day focused on school.
Jan Rawlins/Principal: "IF WE HAVE A LOT OF DISRUPTIONS FROM HOLIDAYS OR SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS, THEN THEY'RE NOT GETTING THE EDUCATIONAL QUALITY THAT WE NEED."
Even many schools keeping the costume tradition have new rules: no masks, fake weapons, cross dressing or fake blood.
Patricia Haslam/PTA President: "WE FEEL LIKE TODAY THERE'S SO MUCH VIOLENCE AND GROSS THINGS IN REALITY THAT WE DON'T NEED TO PORTRAY THEM ON HALLOWEEN. SO WE'RE TRYING TO STAY AWAY FROM THAT."
Nadine Wimmer, Eyewitness News: "HERE'S A GOOD WAY TO SEE THE DO'S AND DON'TS. THIS WOULD BE A DON'T, THE WEAPON, THE MASK, AND IT'S JUST TOO SCARY FOR MOST SCHOOLS. A FIREFIGHTER COSTUME, THOUGH, WOULD BE PERFECT. YOU CAN SEE WHO THE CHILD IS, HE CAN SEE OUT AND AS A FIRE FIGHTER, IT SENDS A POSITIVE THEME."
For some, this literal translation of happy Halloween ruins the fun and a lot of the costume options.
But more educators are willing to change traditions to keep kids safe and learning.
As alternatives, some schools are holding family carnivals, sock hops and allowing students to dress as literary characters.
Nadine Wimmer, Eyewitness News, Bountiful.
