For decades, Halloween meant a parade day in the Lower Merion School District near Philadelphia.
Elementary-school students, temporarily transformed into unicorns, tigers, jockeys, witches, princesses and much else, would march around outside, as parents waved, cheered and snapped pictures.
But the Covid-19 pandemic brought a two-year halt to the events, and this year officials in the affluent district have again shelved the parades at the six elementary schools, citing concerns about inclusivity and student safety.