Newington's public schools have eliminated Halloween costume parades this year out of respect for religions that object to the idea, but some parents object to that decision.
"To these kids," said Kami Astorino, mother of a fourth grader at Anna Reynolds Elementary School, "it has nothing to do with religion, it has nothing to do with exclusion, and it has nothing to do with evilness. They come to school, they wear their costumes, they celebrate, and that's how they ring in the fall."
Astorino said she respects and appreciates all religions, she doesn't want to exclude anybody and she thinks the world of the principal of her daughter's school.
But, she said, "I'm outraged."
Newington is not trying to cancel Halloween. Teachers can still display ghosts or skeletons or "Happy Halloween" signs.
But the idea is that if some students can't participate in a Halloween costume parade for religious reasons, then there will be no Halloween costume parade.
Student Aubrey Aukstolis hasn't decided whether she'll be a mermaid or a witch next Friday night. She participated in a costume parade when she was in Kindergarten at Anna Reynolds Elementary School.
"I remember her doing it a couple of years ago and it was nice," said her father, Michael Aukstolis.
