PUYALLUP – Scores of students ticked off by a ban on Halloween costumes and parties protested Friday outside the Puyallup School District’s headquarters, dressing up as witches, wizards, skeletons and ghouls.
Kevin Roetger, 14, stood outside the district office dressed as pop crooner Robert Goulet, sporting fake hair, a fake mustache and a portable microphone. He waved a sign that read, “Fight for the right to party.”
Roetger’s stepmother stood nearby dressed in black as a fallen angel. “This is a bunch of crap,” she said. “These kids work so hard and deserve a little fun.”
Earlier this month, the Puyallup School District announced that no Halloween festivities would be allowed, saying all the hoopla about costumes cut into precious class time and might offend believers in the Wiccan religion.
Up to 200 students protested in front of the district office.
Puyallup Superintendent Tony Apostle asked principals at the district’s 31 schools not to discipline any students for arriving at school in costumes or for protesting.
However, one student at Ballou Junior High School who dressed as a witch was sent to the principal’s office. School officials later apologized to the student and her mother, district spokeswoman Karen Hansen said.
For the past six years, Puyallup has followed school board policies urging schools not to promote one tradition over another.
Two weeks ago, Apostle reiterated district policies, sending out an e-mail to principals that no Halloween observances would be allowed during class time.
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