Halloween comes to class—with rules

As about 600 Glacier Hills elementary students parade through a White City neighborhood in costume on Halloween morning, safety remains top of mind for Principal Julie Winfree.

“We will have police officers lead, follow and patrol intersections and we’ll have teachers, aides and extra staff with walkie-talkies walking with the students,” she said, urging parents to ensure kids wear appropriate shoes and coats. “It’s a fun opportunity for the parents and community to sit out on their driveways and see the students parade by; they line the streets.”

Still, she notes, “It’s also a day of learning so we want students to wear costumes they can learn in.” 

That means no masks, weapons or facsimiles of weapons—guidelines shared across most Salt Lake Valley schools.

Luke Allen, Granite School District’s associate director of communications, said costumes must follow regular dress code rules. 

Those guidelines include students must be fully dressed, with clothing that covers the body appropriately and includes safe footwear. Students also may not cover their face unless it is for religious, health or medical reasons. Costumes or clothing may not display images, symbols or language that depict obscenity, lewdness, hate, violence, drugs, alcohol, tobacco or gang-related activity, and they may not include items that could be used as a weapon. Student attire and expression also must not cause significant disruption to learning.

“Halloween can be a fun opportunity for students to celebrate together, but we remind families that costumes at school must follow the same rules as everyday attire,” he said. “Our focus is always on ensuring a safe, respectful and positive environment for all students.”

Many of Granite District’s 26,000 elementary students participate in Halloween parades, typically held outdoors, weather permitting.

Canyons School District Risk Manager Ryan Jakeman advises parents to consider different costumes for school and trick-or-treating. 

“Masks, which block visibility, and facsimiles of weapons are a ‘no-go’ at school,” he said, recommending face paint instead. “While costumes are encouraged, safety is also a priority for students.”

Canyons spokesperson Kirsten Stewart adds: “We’ve found outdoor parades, provided you can identify a safe route, are a great way to involve the community.”

Jordan School District also has shifted most parades outdoors post-COVID.

Jordan District’s Director of Communications Sandy Riesgraf said schools typically remind families: “no masks, weapons or excessive face paint. The school staff needs to be able to identify students.”

Riesgraf added costumes should be wearable all day and follow district dress codes.

At Falcon Ridge Elementary in West Jordan, Principal Aaron Ichimura said dressing up helps build connections between students and administration. 

“They get to learn we’re human and enjoy doing the same things they enjoy,” he said. “Halloween traditions are deeply rooted in Utah.”

The school holds a PTA-run festival with students rotating every 30 minutes with seasonal grade-level activities.

“We’ll send out a Parent Square message reminding students not to wear masks, because we want to be able to identify students, no weapons or facsimile of weapons, no blood or violent costumes,” Ichimura said. “We want Halloween to be a fun time for everyone.”

Like other principals, Ichimura emphasized classroom learning.

“We encourage staff to plan learning activities, and they can be ideas linked to Halloween like stories or math so it can be a creative, fun approach to learning,” he said.

In Murray School District, individual schools set safety guidelines.

“Halloween is a fun and exciting time for our students, and we support school administrators in creating a positive and safe environment by developing traditions and practices unique to their school,” said Doug Perry, Murray District’s communication officer. “We also encourage families and the community to prioritize safety when choosing how to celebrate, both at school and beyond.”

Many schools’ guidelines encourage no masks, weapons or facsimiles of weapons and appropriate costumes and footwear in good taste to be worn during Halloween parades and festivities. (Julie Slama/City Journals)