New Jersey School District Cancels Halloween Celebrations, Governor Criticizes Decision

The South Orange and Maplewood school district in New Jersey recently decided to cancel Halloween celebrations during school hours. The district's superintendent, Dr. Ronald G. Taylor, sent a letter to parents explaining the decision, which he said was aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Some families supported the decision to cancel Halloween celebrations, while others criticized it. Meanwhile, the district's decision divided public opinion and even drew attention from Governor Philip D. Murphy, who publicly criticized it on social media.
The decision to cancel Halloween celebrations in school was made after school principals were surveyed and they supported the discontinuation of Halloween celebrations. Instead, some of the district's elementary schools will hold a 'Fall/Harvest Festival' on October 31.
The South Orange and Maplewood school district has about around 7,200 students and is currently in the midst of an integration plan aimed at reducing educational segregation and improving outcomes for Black students. The cancellation of Halloween celebrations in school was seen as part of these broader efforts.
The South Orange and Maplewood school district was not the only one to make such a decision. In recent years, several other school districts have opted to cancel Halloween celebrations in an attempt to be more inclusive. However, such decisions have often triggered backlash in some communities.