Many U.S. schoolchildren, however, are being told to leave their pirate patches and witch hats at home.

A Washington state school board that made headlines two years ago for canceling all daytime Halloween activities will continue its ban this year, board officials confirmed recently. One of its official reasons in 2004 was religious sensitivity to wiccans, modern-day witches who district administrators claimed could be offended by the stereotypical black hats and broomsticks.

An odd statement, perhaps, but other school districts across the country are now following its politically correct lead, reasoning that not all students—especially in schools with a diverse religious make-up—celebrate the holiday. Several schools in Illinois’ Indian Prairie School District banned costumes because some students were uncomfortable and were staying home on Halloween, a representative told The Chicago Sun-Times.