A Safe and Inclusive Halloween at EFPS

Dear Fairclough Families:

 Staff at EFPS have been busy creating inclusive environments by spending a large amount of time getting to know their students. As we come closer to Halloween, staff have ensured that any activity that happens this Friday October 30th is designed in such a way that all students can participate. Your child may choose to wear a costume on this day if they wish.

At this time, it is important to remember that the York Region District School Board’s Safe Schools Policy #668.0 in accordance with the Ontario Safe Schools Act, includes the following criteria:

A student shall not engage in the following act:

(a) possessing a weapon or replica weapon, including a firearm.

Students choosing to wear a costume at our school must comply with the above stated policy. Costume accessories including, but not limited to, toy guns, knives, axes, swords, light sabers etc. are not in compliance with York Region District School Board’s Safe Schools Policy #668.0. As well, costumes should not have excessively gory or scary features (i.e. blood) as this is inappropriate for a school setting.

Please note that the above policy applies to all students at all levels, including Kindergarten.

Parents are asked to keep any toy weapons and costume props at home, particularly for our primary students.

A reminder as well that we are a nut safe school and parents should ensure that no treats that come to school have any nuts. We also ask that parents only send one or two treats a day to reinforce healthy eating habits. 

For those families who will be going door to door for treats please remember the following Halloween safety tips from (http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/):

Swords, knives, and other costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.

Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. WALK and don't run from house to house.

Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation. 

Look both ways before crossing the street. Use crosswalks wherever possible.

Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.

Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Never accept rides from strangers.

Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.