Cauldrons, coffins, candy and costumes. Halloween is almost here and seniors at Woodland are carefully choosing proper Halloween apparel to wear to school.

For the last twelve years, seniors have had the privilege of dressing up in school for Halloween. But with a new principal, questions have risen about whether or not this tradition will continue. And Principal Kurt Ogren has made his decision.

Halloween is going to be the same as it has been in the past, however the costume contests are still being decided by the senior class officers. While the tradition will not change, it is important to remember that Halloween Dress-up Day is a senior privilege. And with privilege comes responsibility.

There are rules in place which include no masks or face paint. Also, girls cannot wear attire that has revealing thigh slits, plunging necklines, skimpy bottoms and there can be no drug or alcohol references in the costumes. A mask or face paint that goes along with the costume can be worn only during the costume judging contest.

“Whether you’re male or female, it doesn’t matter,” said Ben Palladino, Dean of Students. “Be appropriate.”

Finding an appropriate costume in this day and age is challenging. However, students that are dressed inappropriately will  be sent home or forced to change immediately. In order to prevent this, Woodland Worldwide has helped monumentally with the enforcement of appropriate costumes.

Four years ago, Woodland Worldwide, formerly Woodland for Women Worldwide, whose goal is to  enlighten people of the oppression of women, focused on Woodland’s Halloween Dress-up Day. To have the girls dress appropriately, the “GetReal” campaign was created. Prior to this movement, girls came to school dressed up as sexy police officers and nurses.

“Mrs. Olivere and Woodland Worldwide’s “GetReal” campaign turned Halloween around in such a positive way in such a short time,” said Palladino. “That group gets women to respect themselves and I can’t praise them enough. They really saved Woodland’s Halloween.”

With the Halloween Dress-up Day tradition continuing, it will be interesting to see which creative costumes grace the halls of Woodland on the 31st.