# Don't wear Halloween costumes to school--or else! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 3, 2005, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239 "2005-11-03T04:04:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/21 "2005-11-03T14:43:42Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Also the counselor - Charla Connelly Anyone with retinal function still intact want to go after the name of the superintendant? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/22 "2005-11-03T14:45:35Z")
What ever happened to teachers actually _caring_ about children? How can a caring individual look at a little kid in his underwear all day long and not think something is wrong with that? I’m also pissed off that the headline is “Child disciplined for wearing Halloween costume to school” Instead of “Child forced to wear only underwear in school” ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/23 "2005-11-03T14:53:04Z")
This is terrible. I am speechless (well, I can’t be type-less, now can I?). That poor poor kid. Considering legal action–hell, she better be talking to a lawyer right now! I loathe frivolous lawsuits, but this is not one. That child was humiliated and marginalized in such a sadistic manner–what chance has he of lving this down and having a normal schooling–ever? He will be forever known as the Underwear Kid. This teacher needs to be fired–pronto. Why wasn’t the mom or dad called? Why didn’t they send him down to the principal’s office–or, if it meant that much to him, outfit from the stuff in the lost and found? This is soooo wrong. :mad: (and the name of the school is just weird) ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/24 "2005-11-03T15:18:14Z")
**tdn** and **enipla** , please don’t supply e-mail addresses on the SDMB for the purpose of starting [e-mail campaigns](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=279511). ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/25 "2005-11-03T15:21:19Z")
I’m wondering how a kid sitting in a halloween costume is _more_ of a distraction than a kid sitting around in his tighty whities? I’m sure without the costume on the other kids were able to pay attention to lesson much better. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/26 "2005-11-03T16:03:47Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > **tdn** and **enipla** , please don’t supply e-mail addresses on the SDMB for the purpose of starting [e-mail campaigns](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=279511). Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/27 "2005-11-03T16:07:09Z")
There should be lawsuits and firings. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/28 "2005-11-03T16:13:14Z")
I’m going to have to leave this thread because just thinking about this is driving my rage up. I keep imagining this poor little boy walking around school either sad or in tears in his underwear…and now thanks to Guinastasia I picture all that PLUS him shivering with cold. ☹ The more I think about this the more angry I get, picturing my own little boy (who is 6) in that situation. That teacher should thank her lucky stars that I’m not the parent is all I can say. I almost hope some additional facts come out about this case that show it didn’t really happen this way, that the news story was wrong…something. Because if its accurate then firing is really too good for this teacher. Too bad they got rid of the old tar and feathers thing… :mad: -XT ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/29 "2005-11-03T16:25:23Z")
Lived in Tulsa for 53 years. Did not get much press. Too bad they had to do it this way… Why did the parents try to go against school policy? Looking back at my life, I agree that the kid will have issues with this from now on. Sad. We get the kind of teachers we are willing to pay for. As to those who have a problem with the school name… ::: sheesh :::: To use that as a point of ridicule or something to complain about …??? Sure glad they are not teaching children… ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/30 "2005-11-03T16:27:25Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > **tdn** and **enipla** , please don’t supply e-mail addresses on the SDMB for the purpose of starting [e-mail campaigns](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=279511). Sorry, I let :mad: get the best of me. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/31 "2005-11-03T16:29:56Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > I almost hope some additional facts come out about this case that show it didn’t really happen this way, that the news story was wrong…something. I just e-mailed principal Galluzzi asking just that. I doubt I’ll receive a reply, as he’s probably scared of what legal troubles might ensue should he say the wrong thing without a lawyer present. In the unlikely event that he replies, I’ll let you know. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/32 "2005-11-03T16:33:40Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I just e-mailed principal Galluzzi asking just that. I doubt I’ll receive a reply, as he’s probably scared of what legal troubles might ensue should he say the wrong thing without a lawyer present. In the unlikely event that he replies, I’ll let you know. I did too and also invited him and the assistant principal to get a guest account and check out the thread (hope thats not a rules violation). I haven’t received a reply yet either, but then I’m sure they are getting deluged with emails about this…at least I HOPE they are. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/33 "2005-11-03T16:39:04Z")
That is insane. If the school has a rule against costumes, fine. Whatever. If a 5 year old shows up in one, call the parents if it is that big a deal! The kid did not dress himself and drive himself to school, the parents are to be held responsible not the kid. Making him strip is inexcusable. If that happened to my kid I wouldn’t send him back to that school, ever. Heck, if that happened to someone _else_ in my kid’s _school_ I wouldn’t send him back there. That teacher and administration have some seriously messed up heads. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/34 "2005-11-03T16:46:52Z")
Reply from Mr Galluzzi, posted without modification and without comment by me: Setting the story straight An erroneous report has been posted on its website by KJRH. The story says that a Tulsa Public Schools teacher “disciplined” a 5-year-old student by forcing him to take off his Halloween costume “and go through the entire school day with only his underwear on.” The first serious error is that the child was being “disciplined.” Dress code infractions are handled through corrective action. In this specific instance the child was offered the opportunity to have his parents called to go home to change. He said he could take the costume off. He was specifically asked if he was wearing clothes on underneath the costume and he replied, “Yes.” When he took off the costume he was wearing a tee-shirt that went below his waist and blue patterned pants that appeared to be jogging pants. He went through the school day without incident. The implication from the KJRH story is that he was only wearing brief or jockey-short-style underwear that should have been recognized as underwear. That is not the case. The pants in question closely resembled other childhood attire. Plus, the child wore a tee-shirt. Disney Elementary School prohibits the wearing of Halloween costumes to school for two reasons: safety and classroom distraction. Costumes, many of which are long and flowing, are a hazard on the playground. Costumes in the classroom are a distraction from the positive learning atmosphere TPS schools maintain. Of more than 800 students at Disney Elementary, this was the only child who showed up for classes on Monday wearing a costume. -XT p.s. I will say that I’m impressed that Mr. Galluzzi got back to me so soon…or got back to me at all as I’m simply a concerned citizen without even a child who goes to his school. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/35 "2005-11-03T16:48:06Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I doubt I’ll receive a reply How wrong I was. > [@Principal Galluzzi](#): > > Setting the story straight > > An erroneous report has been posted on its website by KJRH. The story > says that a Tulsa Public Schools teacher “disciplined” a 5-year-old > student by forcing him to take off his Halloween costume “and go through > the entire school day with only his underwear on.” > > The first serious error is that the child was being “disciplined.” Dress > code infractions are handled through corrective action. In this specific > instance the child was offered the opportunity to have his parents > called to go home to change. He said he could take the costume off. He > was specifically asked if he was wearing clothes on underneath the > costume and he replied, “Yes.” When he took off the costume he was > wearing a tee-shirt that went below his waist and blue patterned pants > that appeared to be jogging pants. He went through the school day > without incident. > > The implication from the KJRH story is that he was only wearing brief > or jockey-short-style underwear that should have been recognized as > underwear. That is not the case. The pants in question closely resembled > other childhood attire. Plus, the child wore a tee-shirt. > > Disney Elementary School prohibits the wearing of Halloween costumes to > school for two reasons: safety and classroom distraction. Costumes, many > of which are long and flowing, are a hazard on the playground. Costumes > in the classroom are a distraction from the positive learning atmosphere > TPS schools maintain. > > Of more than 800 students at Disney Elementary, this was the only child > who showed up for classes on Monday wearing a costume. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/36 "2005-11-03T16:49:59Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > p.s. I will say that I’m impressed that Mr. Galluzzi got back to me so soon…or got back to me at all as I’m simply a concerned citizen without even a child who goes to his school. Indeed, and quickly enough back to both of us so as to cause a simulpost. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/37 "2005-11-03T16:50:30Z")
Seems we got the exact same letter. I guess that makes sense. -XT ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/38 "2005-11-03T16:50:48Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > p.s. I will say that I’m impressed that Mr. Galluzzi got back to me so soon…or got back to me at all as I’m simply a concerned citizen without even a child who goes to his school. Considering the quick reply, are you certain it wasn’t some sort of autoresponse? If this news story is being discussed in multiple places on the internet, the principal may be getting hundreds of emails. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/39 "2005-11-03T16:53:49Z")
The actions of the teacher are bad enough. She should be fired and have her license taken away from her. There’s something really wrong with a person who would visit that level of sadism and humiliation upon a 5-year old. What amazes me is that apparently no one else in the school- either teachers or administration- tried to stop this while it was going on. did all the teachers, lunch ladies, admins, etc. just watch this poor kid walk around in his underwear and think nothing of it? That’s appalling. Anyone who saw this going on and did nothing is just as guilty as the teacher is. It was abuse. those people are mandadted reporters. If they didn’t report it it, they could all be vulnerable to criminal charges. I hope every parent at the school is raising holy hell about this. ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239/40 "2005-11-03T16:56:52Z")
[Checks out web site of Walt Disney School] MY EYES!!! MY EYES!!! They’re burning out of my head! [/Checks out web site of Walt Disney School] If any of you have bothered to browse around their web site, did you happen to notice that even though they had a ban on costumes, they were still able to dress up the week prior during their, “Red Ribbon Week”? Sounds to me like someone who just makes policies on a whim because they happen to not like something. Seriously, the instructor oh so wrong! There are always alternatives. Even if the teacher reminded the student every day prior for the past month and the student still forgot about the ban, it still gives her no right to humiliate that student that way. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-wear-halloween-costumes-to-school-or-else/329239.md?page=3)