I am the new PTO Pres. for my son's school. I just received some papers regarding the school's Fall Festival. I never attended this festival in the past because we do not celebrate Halloween. So as you can imagine, now being the President I am stuck. I want to speak to our principal about having a Fall Festival that doesn't have so much to do with Halloween, but focuses more on being about Fall. We used to have a Halloween Dance but that was canceled due to older students coming dressed inappropiately, DJ's playing inappropiate music, etc. In its place they started a Haunted Hallway. The kids thought it was great, however I have some major concerns. The paperwork I received say we need to post a waiver of responsiblity at the entrance of the Haunted Hallway. This is because some of the kids who got scared threw cellphones, IPods,etc. at the volunteers who were doing the scaring. The volunteers were also kicked and hit. I really don't want to have to deal with the waiver thing, I am considering doing away with this. I would like some ideas on what could be an equally or more fun event for the students. Is it fair for me to change this because I don't agree with this??? I will take this to our meeting for a vote, but I need some help coming up with an alternative.

We had our first Fall Festival last year. I don't know what age group you have...we had elementary K_5..We had small games like hula-hoop the pumpkin, corn toss (small dried corn cobs tossed into plastic kettles) and eveyone gets a small treat as they leave (we get donations from local pretzel companies).

Just wanted to share what our school has done in the past. We have the classes each decorate their doors for halloween or fall...we request parents to send in donations of candy. On Halloween night or the closest evening on the calander that would work; we'd have what we called a Halloween Walk. The teachers would hand out the candy, sitting outside their classroom doors, kids would walk the halls and collect candy; or trick or treat as it is. Our local fire department has a portable haunted house which we had them set up. The fireman already have all the insurance, etc, required to put a haunted house on. We have the fireman "judge" the decorated doors, and we reward the winning classroom with a pizza or ice cream party.

We live in an area where trick or treating door to door is not really possible, so this has been a cute alternative. We're doing it again this year

It's pretty innocent fun....one year we had a local Baptist Church set up their fall festival on the same night...it was awesome; they had all sorts of games set up, etc...the kids really loved that...as it was put on by a church, they gave out prizes to those who dressed as biblical characters---that was really sweet! However, I think we "scared" them away as they did not do it again !! Now you have me thinking I need to contact them...perhaps they'd be willing this year...

Hey I think I have some Ideas for you As I have seen already posted. The Fall festal is great we have games where the children win candy and small toys. We have the big inflatable play things hayrides with the tractor. We have music it is a wonderful night out with the whole family. I have also posted a collection sheet that is more about fall and Autumn than Halloween.

I know I posted this somewhere else. You must have double-posted this question...

IMO I feel that a President needs to not invoke change due to personal beliefs. When you accepted the position you understood that within the school there were many different beliefs, religions, etc. As such you need to be more open to ideas that personally you may not be...

For example, say you change the Haunted Hallway due to your personal beliefs, but you keep the "Christmas Party" (just giving an example - no idea if you hold a Christmas party) knowing that there are of course those that do not celebrate Christmas. This would be hypocritical to say the least.

Also, you can't just use the "majority of the students" way out because as President it is your job to represent ALL of the students...

So, my best recommendation would be to not attend the event, due to your personal beliefs, but allow the tradition to continue under the responsibility of the event chair and/or the group's Vice President.

Sometimes it's tough being the President, but that is the job you took on, and by not letting your personal beliefs interfere you'll be a better President and the students will have a better educational experience because of it.

Good luck,
PresidentJim

go Jim..go Jim...Really I agree.
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