Dress Code:

Costumes if worn in school should be appropriate for school and follow the school's dress code. Please review the KESD Dress Code)

Safety:

Costumes if worn in school should not hinder vision, and masks are not allowed. Costumes with realistic weapons are prohibited.

Inappropriate themes:

Costumes should not feature inappropriate themes or characters, reference to drugs or alcohol, and not be gory, threatening, or offensive. 

Cultural Sensitivity:

Costumes if worn in school should be culturally sensitive and not offensive or reinforcing of stereotypes. Avoid stereotypes by not wearing a costume that plays off stereotypes about a group of people. For example, dressing up as Pocahontas can be offensive because it presents a whitewashed version of a group of people who have been victimized.

Here are other considerations when designing and choosing costumes:

• Don't darken your skin: Don't darken or color your skin for a costume. 
• Consider the meaning: Think about whether the costume would show honor or disrespect for a group or person. For example, tribal markings, headdresses, and turbans are inappropriate because they are tied to a specific ceremony or religious meaning. 
• Research the culture: If you're not part of the culture, it's important to research it before making assumptions based on stereotypes. 
• Don't wear ethnic garb: Wearing ethnic garb can be a common cultural appropriation misstep.