Hallowe'en at VCPS

Shannon Spike

October 23, 2024

This year, at Victoria Cross Public School, we would like to open up October 31st to a day where students can choose how they would like to or not like to participate in Hallowe’en.

Choices for the day include:

  1. Wear everyday clothes

  2. Dress in black and orange

  3. Wear an appropriate costume (see guidelines below)

Meaningful and fun alternative activities will be available for students who do not participate in Hallowe’en.

At the Upper Grand DSB, we work collectively to ensure all are welcomed, included and valued. As a system we know that equity and inclusion are valuable contributors to overall student success. As a community we are committed to ensuring that all students are engaged and feel welcomed and included in every aspect of school life.

Hallowe’en Costumes - Best Practices

It is important to keep Halloween safe and inclusive by leaving culturally insensitive, racist and sexist stereotypes out.  Protecting and upholding the human rights and dignities of all individuals is a shared responsibility and choosing a costume that is offensive, hurtful or potentially harassing and/or discriminatory in nature goes against our policies.


Please remember to:

  • Follow classroom teacher’s instructions on when to wear your costume

  • Follow dress code and school code of conduct

  • Costume needs to be put on independently

  • Safe (e.g. not too long that it's a tripping hazard)

  • Use face paint or makeup vs. a mask (masks make it hard to see)

  • Bring a bag for your costume

Danger PNG Transparent Image ...

Items not permitted:

  • Costumes that are representative of another culture, religious believe, 

    gender, socio-economic statues

  • Masks, props/accessories (they may get lost)

  • Violent references (e.g. weapons, blood, etc.)

Please remember:

Culture is not a costume. Trying on another race, culture or identity contributes

to stereotypes and causes real harm to communities that have been historically

marginalized and who continue to face systemic oppression today.

Gender Identity is not a costume. The transgender community faces real harm

on a daily basis. Should you choose to dress as the opposite gender, consider

whether you are mocking gender traits or enforcing harmful gender stereotypes.

Halloween can be a time for fun. Think critically and creatively when choosing a costume that honours the dignity of each human person, so that everyone can enjoy themselves.

Link to more information

Stay tuned . . . 

Classroom teachers will communicate with students and families with specific information on their plans for October 31st in the classroom, including what time of day/block students in their class will have the opportunity to wear their costumes.  Stay tuned to your regular classroom newsletter/communication for more details.