My name is Jamie Lewis; I graduated from Puyallup High School in 2001. A matter has come to my attention that grieves me, and I feel I must correct some misinformation I feel you have been given.
I understand you are not allowing your students to celebrate Halloween anymore, due to the complaints of some Wiccan in the community. The press release to King 5 (see here: http://www.king5.com/education/stories/NW_102104WABnohalloween.1013a57a.html)
States that some Christians in the community complained as well and that you are "just trying to be sensitive to individual religious beliefs, whether you're a practicing catholic or practicing witchcraft".
I am not writing to encourage you to overturn your policies today. But I am asking you to change the basis for your policies. Please hear my reasoning.
I'm Wiccan, and have been since shortly after high school (I wasn't allowed to pursue my interest at school, as the administration confiscated our books). Despite the fact that Witches deal with a lot of discrimination, I've been "out" on every college campus I've been at (which is three, at this point). I declare loud and proud my religion via bumper stickers, wearing a pentacle, and discussing my beliefs. I'm grateful to live in a country in which we can exercise our religious freedoms. I've been involved with many different Pagan and Wiccan communities over the four years since graduation, and have helped create clubs on my college campuses to support the Pagan community and to break the old "witch" stereotypes.
There are more witch stereotypes than just the pointy hat and green skin. How about the accusations of Devil worship? Or the orgies we're supposed to have? I once heard that we eat children. The truth is that we are a life-affirming nature religion. We see the world differently and worship more than one deity. Some of these deities are (gasp) female. But our religion is just as valid as anyone's. Since we are eclectic and diverse, we celebrate our differences, and see the interconnectedness of all life. We do not proselytize, because we believe people have a right to believe and live the way they choose to. We celebrate holidays similar to Christian ones, and Halloween happens to be one of them.
This is the reason I was so surprised when those calling themselves Wiccan would object to Halloween. It is our New Year, a time to celebrate the ancestors and loved ones who have passed over in the year. There is feasting, pumpkin carving and bobbing for apples. Sound familiar? Why would we want to stop the celebration of a holiday we celebrate too? Halloween is so secularized now, that it's almost silly to think of wearing costumes to school a religious or occult act. We do our religious celebrations out of the public eye, in the privacy of our own communities, and celebrate the secular part of Halloween with the rest of the public.
The years I was at your high school were tumultuous. In that short three years, there were two suicides (one my dear friend), Columbine, a drive-by shooting threat, a kid suspended for bringing a "gun" to school (G.I. Joe toy, if I remember correctly), and a case against the school for racism. And these are just the incidences I can remember. I am aware they were not under your administration, but your school is still dealing with these events. The history of policy at Puyallup High School has always been a very black and white nature: that is, zero-tolerance policies.
So when a few people came to the office concerned about the celebration of Halloween (a secular-not religious-holiday) you were contending with history, and bowed to the whim of a few.
There are some theories going around the Pagan community. Some people think that there aren't any Witches that made such claims (because they are so preposterous) but that it's the Conservatives who are using a different name. Whatever is the truth, Witches have now become a scapegoat for a very unpopular policy. That is what offends me grievously. I encourage you to get educated before you go around telling people what we've done. May I recommend a few sites to you? [not listed here]
I hold a different theory. You're afraid. A few people complain about something that is generally understood to be ok by the general public, and the school board panics. They remember the Lawsuits about racism and the unfavorable press. They decide to stop it in one foul swoop. The result: an unfavorable zero-tolerance policy.
The Puyallup School District has always encouraged their students to be tolerant and understanding of diversity. I was part of a club called Peace-makers back then. We fought to encourage just such ideals. This inclusive policy tells all kids that no matter where they came from, what language they speak or religion they celebrate, that they are ok and welcome in this society. But with a No Halloween policy, you have alienated 90% of your student body. The government is instituting a "No Child Left Behind" policy, yet you told students their beliefs and celebrations don't matter. You've taken away a chance to celebrate life, to understand other cultures, and help make high school fun (and bearable.)
I am pleased to learn that your administration is now taking into account the minority voices, This is a wise policy, but wasn't the case when I was in high school. I must commend you for these strides forward.