No Halloween Costumes? Constitutional Issue

I am just trying to reach as broad of audience as I can with my issue so I would love it I could get some intelligent and thoughtful commentary on my issue.

Currently, I am a senior at a public highschool where for the past two years students have been banned from wearing costumes. This change occurred when one student came to school dressed as Hitler and they decided to pull the string on everyone wearing costumes. When I interviewed the principle as to why there would be no more costumes he replied that he feels the negative religious sentiment behind the holiday and the possibility that some students could feel uncomfortable by costumes such as "skeletons" was enough for him to continue the ban. He admits to celebrating the holiday with his family outside of school but feels it should be kept out of school even though most other highschools in the area under the same district leadership allow costumes. The policy also offers no compromise as to restrictions on "offensive" costumes, just an outright ban. Students can come to school wearing costumes any other day of the year as long as it fits within the dress code.

Personally, I feel this is completely ridiculous. How I interpret the constitution is that I should be able to celebrate any holiday. I should be entitled to my freedom of expression to come to school wearing a fun costume on Halloween.

Am I wrong in interpreting it this way?

Damnit...

Hitler's sitll ruining things and he's been dead for 63 years:x

way to let someone else have a turn

I agree with the principal. You are in high school, not the second grade. You shouldn't be dressing up for halloween anymore.

Furthermore, high school kids are mostly immature, and the ones who would dress up (if they could) would most likely be immature and cause more problems than it's worth.

Pick your battles so that you will have more ammo for when it's actually worth it.

Seriously, he's BANNING costumes because he thinks someone might be offended by a SKELETON costume???

You are right in your interpretation, and your principal is an idiot...

I really find nothing offensive with Hitler It's not like I'm going to kill a bunch of Jews because I dress up like him. People just get offensive over the smallest of things.

EDIT: I should clarify that the principal does have a right to do so, no matter how much I disagree with him.

I agree with the principal. You are in high school, not the second grade. You shouldn't be dressing up for halloween anymore.

Furthermore, high school kids are mostly immature, and the ones who would dress up (if they could) would most likely be immature and cause more problems than it's worth.

Pick your battles so that you will have more ammo for when it's actually worth it.

FragStains

There are other school dress up days just not Halloween.

Constitutional rights don't apply when you're in school... >_>

At least, not in the US...

Maybe that kid shouldn't have showed up dressed as the (arguably) the most hated person in history, who also committed mass genocide.

Seriously, blame him, not the administration.

In my Grade 12 year, one kid dressed up as a gigantic penis No shrooming...and they still didn't ban costumes (which, as it's been previously stated, shouldn't even be necessary, as costumes do nothing but distract).

That being said, I've entertained the idea of imitating a nazi on Halloween, but have also realized that no matter where I go dressed as one, I'll get my ass kicked by somebody, guaranteed.

[QUOTE="FragStains"]

I agree with the principal. You are in high school, not the second grade. You shouldn't be dressing up for halloween anymore.

Furthermore, high school kids are mostly immature, and the ones who would dress up (if they could) would most likely be immature and cause more problems than it's worth.

Pick your battles so that you will have more ammo for when it's actually worth it.

crazymaghie123

There are other school dress up days just not Halloween.

I really find nothing offensive with Hitler It's not like I'm going to kill a bunch of Jews because I dress up like him. People just get offensive over the smallest of things.Genetic_Code

Yeah, because the holocaust was such a small thing that meant nothing to everyone. :roll:

Maybe that kid shouldn't have showed up dressed as the (arguably) the most hated person in history, who also committed mass genocide.

Seriously, blame him, not the administration.

hokies1313

Should all students be blamed for the action of one?

i don't agree with his reasoning that it's because of religion but i do agree they should be bannes, they're just distracting. this is coming from a high school senior.shoeman12

Constitutional rights don't apply when you're in school... >_>

At least, not in the US...

metroidfood

Actually, that's not true. There was a landmark case in the late sixties called Tinker v. Des Moines that established that symbolic speech was constitutionally protected within school grounds in cases where it did not substantially interfere with school discipline or the rights of others.

[QUOTE="crazymaghie123"][QUOTE="FragStains"]

I agree with the principal. You are in high school, not the second grade. You shouldn't be dressing up for halloween anymore.

Furthermore, high school kids are mostly immature, and the ones who would dress up (if they could) would most likely be immature and cause more problems than it's worth.

Pick your battles so that you will have more ammo for when it's actually worth it.

FragStains

There are other school dress up days just not Halloween.

We have other school dress up days at the school such as "spirit week". Cheerleaders and other sports teams get to wear their uniforms. All of these contribute to distraction but are allowed.

You are a senior still wanting to dress up. Grow up.1337_ownage

Since when has dressing up in a costume had an age limit?

[QUOTE="FragStains"][QUOTE="crazymaghie123"][QUOTE="FragStains"]

I agree with the principal. You are in high school, not the second grade. You shouldn't be dressing up for halloween anymore.

Furthermore, high school kids are mostly immature, and the ones who would dress up (if they could) would most likely be immature and cause more problems than it's worth.

Pick your battles so that you will have more ammo for when it's actually worth it.

crazymaghie123

There are other school dress up days just not Halloween.

We have other school dress up days at the school such as "spirit week". Cheerleaders and other sports teams get to wear their uniforms. All of these contribute to distraction but are allowed.

[QUOTE="FragStains"][QUOTE="crazymaghie123"][QUOTE="FragStains"]

I agree with the principal. You are in high school, not the second grade. You shouldn't be dressing up for halloween anymore.

Furthermore, high school kids are mostly immature, and the ones who would dress up (if they could) would most likely be immature and cause more problems than it's worth.

Pick your battles so that you will have more ammo for when it's actually worth it.

crazymaghie123

There are other school dress up days just not Halloween.

We have other school dress up days at the school such as "spirit week". Cheerleaders and other sports teams get to wear their uniforms. All of these contribute to distraction but are allowed.

Halloween costumes are (hopefully) unique and not approved by the school beforehand. This leads to distractions and an excuse for morons to be disruptive.

They are wearing uniforms...which by definition is the same outfit for everyone, that presumably has already been approved by the school.

Halloween costumes are (hopefully) unique and not approved by the school beforehand. This leads to distractions and an excuse for morons to be disruptive.

FragStains

Regular clothing isn't approved beforehand, but presumably it's not banned either.

Why not just ban people from wearing offensive things than ban people from wearing things at all?

[QUOTE="crazymaghie123"][QUOTE="FragStains"][QUOTE="crazymaghie123"][QUOTE="FragStains"]

I agree with the principal. You are in high school, not the second grade. You shouldn't be dressing up for halloween anymore.

Furthermore, high school kids are mostly immature, and the ones who would dress up (if they could) would most likely be immature and cause more problems than it's worth.

Pick your battles so that you will have more ammo for when it's actually worth it.

FragStains

There are other school dress up days just not Halloween.

We have other school dress up days at the school such as "spirit week". Cheerleaders and other sports teams get to wear their uniforms. All of these contribute to distraction but are allowed.

Halloween costumes are (hopefully) unique and not approved by the school beforehand. This leads to distractions and an excuse for morons to be disruptive.

I've already stated that there are other dress up days and it is only Halloween that has been banned due to "discomfort" of a small population of the student body. Distraction is not the central issue of the ban.