An Ontario school board has sent a checklist to parents before Halloween: Does your child’s costume “represent a stereotype,” such as “terrorist” or “urban ghetto dweller?” Does it involve changing the colour of their skin? Does it allude to a culture that is not the child’s own, such as a kimono, a turban or a feather headdress? Does it “mock” transgender people? Is it based on “tragic or violent historical moments,” such as “slave” or “cowboy and Indian” role play. If the response is yes, a French-language school board district has asked parents and children to reconsider their choice of costume – part of a growing movement to fend off any hint of offence in Halloween attire. Shayla Duvel, head of administration at Malabar Limited costume shop weighed in.