School Bans Halloween Parties Citing Diversity

A New Jersey primary school has banned Halloween parties, citing community diversity.

Officials at Seth Boyden Elementary said some students from different cultures had felt left out at previous parties.

Principal Mark Quiles and two PTA co-presidents, Amelia Riekenberg and Donna Upton, sent a letter to parents saying about 20% of the pupils did not participate last year.

"One of the strengths of Seth Boyden is that we are such a diverse community, with many cultures represented, and that we truly value each one," they wrote, reports NJ.com.

Seth Boyden also cancelled Halloween parties last year, but scrapped the decision after an outcry.

Suzanne Turner, spokeswoman for the South Orange and Maplewood school district, told Sky News no Halloween parties had been planned at the school this year.

She said Seth Boyden had held a "harvest festival" instead to be more inclusive.

"Some students in previous years have stayed at home on Halloween or have attended school but did not participate in the activities," she told Sky News.

No parent at the school had complained about the holiday, she said.

The New Jersey Department of Education told Sky News it had no state-wide policy on school Halloween parties.

Spokesman Richard Vespucci said: "Local school boards made this decision and they are accountable to the people who elected them and appointed them in their community."

A Connecticut school district was criticised earlier this month after it cancelled Halloween activities because of diversity concerns.

Milford officials rescinded the ban as thousands of people signed a change.org petition condemning the move.