Halloween Costume Guidelines
Halloween is creeping around the corner, and as kids gear up for school events and a night of tricks and treats, Surrey Schools is reminding everyone to be safe and respectful while celebrating the spookiest time of the season.
Students and staff alike may be excited to dress up, and it’s important that costumes do not include elements of cultural appropriation or other potentially offensive themes.
“Dressing up is one of the most fun parts of Halloween for our students, teachers and families, and offers an outlet for creativity and imagination,” said JB Mahli, Director of Instruction with Racial Equity. “It’s also important to be mindful of cultural appropriation and to uphold the district’s goals of ensuring belonging of everyone and respecting identity.”
Cultural appropriation is the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of customs, practices, ideas or elements of a culture or identity by members of another.
Some Halloween costumes may be unsuitable if they contain elements of:
- Race or ethnicity (i.e. blackface, brownface)
- Culture (i.e. Indigenous regalia/headdresses, hijabs, dreadlocks)
- Religion or faith (i.e. religious figures, gods, saints, gurus)
- Gender (i.e. gender switching for the purpose of humour or mockery)
- Ableism (i.e. mocking physical or mental abilities)
For instance, this year, Diwali takes place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. Students and staff who celebrate Diwali are encouraged to wear cultural dress if they would like – but not as a Halloween costume.
Some Halloween costumes may also be traumatic if they contain violent imagery, such as weaponry or a hangman's noose. It's also important to be aware of the potential negative and triggering impact violent images and/or scenarios can have on students and families with varying lived experiences and backgrounds.
Students and staff are reminded that weapons (including fake ones) are not allowed at school, even as part of a costume. And everyone is urged to be mindful of cultural or racial stereotypes with their costumes, and consider if their outfit may be offensive to others.
