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A Critical Message for Schools about Halloween

Dear School Leaders: This is a highly important message about Halloween activities that I am asking you to pass on to all students, particularly middle and high school students. Governor Swift has asked me to inform you that during these uneasy times, it is more important than ever for students to celebrate Halloween in a safe, responsible and respectful manner. Any activities that divert our police, fire and other public safety officials from their paramount mission of protecting the public can create a higher risk for all of us. Therefore, please be advised that Halloween pranks and other actions that create safety risks, result in property damage or heighten public anxiety will not be tolerated. The police will be vigilant and visible, and anyone found breaking the law or otherwise deliberately creating security risks and stirring public fear will be dealt with seriously. These are not normal times and they require extraordinary measures to deal with dangerousness. These are, however, more patriotic times than ever before in American history, and in the spirit of patriotism, I am asking you to encourage your students, on this Halloween and all year long, to do their part in the fight against terrorism by refraining from behaviors that are unsafe, that create fear and cause needless distraction. On this Halloween, please impress upon your students the seriousness of the situation and of the need to conduct themselves in safe, respectful and responsible ways. Our public safety officials will be watching. Sincerely, David P. Driscoll
Commissioner of Education



Last Updated: October 25, 2001



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