Three elementary schools in upstate New York are banning “Squid Game” Halloween costumes over the hit show’s “violent message.”
The restriction came after principals at the Syracuse-area Fayetteville-Manlius schools sent an email to parents, saying that students have been playing a version of the survival game depicted in the Korean Netflix series, CNY Central reported Tuesday.
“Due to concerns about the potential violent nature of the game, it is inappropriate for recess play or discussion at school,” the letter sent to Mott Road Elementary School parents reportedly said.
“Additionally, a Halloween costume from this show does not meet our school costume guidelines due to the potential violent message aligned with the costume.”
The show’s signature jumpsuits, tracksuits and masks now have to go back in the closet with “Friday the 13th” and “Scream” masks, under the suburban district’s guidelines, Superintendent Dr. Craig Tice told the outlet.
“No items that can be interpreted as weapons should be brought to school, such as toy swords or guns, and that costumes should not be too gory or scary so as not to scare our younger students,” he reportedly said.
The wildly popular dystopian series is about deadbeats who are invited to play deadly children’s games for the promise of fast cash. Some 111 million viewers streamed the show in the month after its September debut, making it Netflix’s most popular show ever.
