ON THE STREET

This week the Southeast Missourian asked, "How do you feel about elementary school children celebrating a fall festival with straw hats instead of celebrating Halloween in traditional costumes?"

Charles Dumey, Chaffee

"It ought to be up to the kids, if that's what the kids like to do I think they ought to do it. There's nothing wrong with dressing up for Halloween. I think they should be able to dress up for the school party."

Celeste Nenninger, Cape Girardeau

"I understand the teachers with the commotion of having their teachers' meeting at the same time but I think school should be for school. I think that parents can have parties for children on their own. If they want to have a party, they can have it outside the home or in their neighborhoods or whatever. I don't think the school should be used necessarily for that purpose."

Cathy Alsup, Cape Girardeau

"I think it's fine, (without the Halloween costumes) it's better. They should put the Christmas program back in and leave out Halloween.

Florence Morris, Morley,

"I like the Halloween costumes. It wouldn't seem like Halloween to me without the costumes."

Jackie Evans, Cape Girardeau

"I prefer straw hats rather than witches and stuff because to me that's waking up the dead, the evilness of death. I prefer straw hats because I don't like Halloween."