Arlington Parents Respond To Colonial Day Changes

ARLINGTON, MA – Arlington Public Schools' decision to eliminate costumes from its annual Colonial Day activities has received pushback from some residents, who say their point of view was not considered before the district implemented changes to the third-grade tradition.

Colonial Day has typically seen students dress as colonists or Native Americans and participate in period-specific activities like butter churning, tin punching and candle-making. Last year the district initially removed the dress-up portion of event before making it optional.

In a letter to the school community last week, Assistant Superintendent Roderick MacNeal, Jr. wrote that costumes would no longer be a part of the event, as they are "problematic" to the district's goal of having an environment for students to feel "honored and welcomed."

See Also: Costumes No Longer Part Of Arlington Colonial Day

He added that third-grade teachers will convene this summer to update the colonial curriculum and examine revisions to Colonial Day, which could include choosing a different name and planning new activities.

In an interview with Patch, MacNeal said the decision to prohibit costumes came after meetings with third grade teachers and representatives from the school councils, who were asked to gather feedback from the school communities. He said since the letter was sent out last Wednesday morning, he received some responses from parents, the majority of which have been supportive while a couple had concerns about the decisions being made.

But some parents feel they did not get a chance to share their opinions on Colonial Day before a decision was made. A group of 26 parents from several elementary schools sent a letter to the school committee and Superintendent Kathleen Bodie on April 15. The letter, published by YourArlington, read in part:

Those who object to Colonial Day have raised legitimate questions, such as whether a different name (Menotomy Day? Living History Day?) would be more appropriate, and whether or not students are given a sanitized version of history. They have expressed concern that dressing in costumes is uncomfortable for some students, for a variety of reasons. These are points worthy of discussion, and we showed up, when invited by our School Council reps, ready to discuss them.

But, despite many recommendations that the administration engage the community and hold a public, open forum, the process that led to issuing the new policy did not allow for this discussion, and did not take into account all points of view. The process, frankly, has been unfair, and very far from transparent.

At a school committee meeting April 12, MacNeal maintained that both sides were considered and said he hoped over time those opposed to eliminating costumes would see the "value" in what is being done to the curriculum.

Read the full letter from YourArlington

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