South Orange-Maplewood School District in New Jersey CANCELS Halloween celebrations, saying it might be offensive to people for cultural and religious reasons

A New Jersey school district superintendent is facing criticism after advising parents Halloween festivities will not be going ahead in classrooms this year. 

The South Orange-Maplewood School District will not organize on-site activities due to concerns that not all families and children wish to be involved. 

As a result, all Halloween-related activities and costumes during school hours are prohibited. 

Superintendent Dr. Ronald G. Taylor sent out a letter to families on October 6 explaining his decision was made in an effort to avoid offending those of different cultures and backgrounds. 

Dr. Taylor said a survey to the principals of all ten schools in the district asked if they thought that Halloween celebrations should continue or be replaced with a 'Fall Festival' that would be centered around the autumn season. 

'The responses from the principals were overwhelming in favor of discontinuing Halloween celebrations in school,' the letter said.

Dr. Taylor claimed that each year Halloween triggered questions from families and students about what events SOMSD would be doing to acknowledge Halloween.  

He wrote: 'Is promoting school-sponsored Halloween activities creating indirect and unintentional financial hardships for students and families?