Walpole School Cancels Halloween Parade

WALPOLE, MA – An elementary school in Walpole has canceled its annual Halloween celebration amid concerns over safety and inclusiveness. Boyden Elementary School is forgoing its Halloween costume parade this year for a "Black and Orange" spirit day on Oct. 31, in addition to its inaugural "Monster Mash Pasta Bash" after school on Oct. 20. In an emailed statement, school officials said the parade is "out of our ordinary routine and can be difficult for many students."

"Also, the parade is not inclusive of all the students and it is our goal each and every day to ensure all student’s individual differences are respected," Boyden School Prinicipal Brendan Dearborn elaborated in a note to parents, according to WBZ.

The school's decision confused some parents, who acknowledged the safety concerns surrounding the parade but did not understand why it was isolated as a potential inclusivity issue. One parent told Boston 25 that many events could be considered not all inclusive, "so if you cancel one event you have to cancel them all."

School officials, however, remain optimistic about their alternative Halloween events this year. Participation in both events is optional, and the "Monster Mash Pasta Bash" will give students a "wonderful opportunity to come to Boyden and celebrate Halloween with their friends after school hours," according to a statement.

This year Mitchell Elementary School in Needham canceled all Halloween festivities, citing the desire to "create, maintain, and build upon an environment in which students diverse backgrounds, identities, and strengths, and challenges are acknowledged and respected."

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