NEWINGTON, Conn. – Toying with a children’s costume parade could have grave consequences, the Newington school district apparently found out recently.

Last week, we reported on a News 8 story that explained two Connecticut elementary schools were canceling traditional Halloween celebrations “due to concerns that they exclude children whose families don’t celebrate the holiday.”

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According to a letter sent to parents, the schools will replace Halloween with “fall- or harvest-themed” celebrations, we reported.

Shortly after, the report was picked up by the likes of Fox & Friends, gaining a wider national audience.

But now the schools – and superintendent Williams Collins in particular – are saying that’s not what happened at all.

In fact, after the controversy, “national extremist groups” – whom the superintendent did not name – issued “threatening and hateful phone calls and emails,” according to a letter posted on the school district website.

It continued:

The media has unfortunately used the headline that the schools are “canceling Halloween”. It was never the intention of the district to “cancel” any holiday. We recognize and appreciate that holidays are an important part of our community and culture. The actions taken by the principals were intended to refine the activities that take place during the school day. While I understand that prior communications may have been unclear or misleading, I hope that the outcomes noted below will clarify the intentions of the district:

* Our schools will continue to recognize holidays (including Halloween) as an important part of our students’ background and traditions.

* Our schools will continue to plan a variety of fun and exciting learning experiences and activities that are engaging and teach our students about diverse cultures.

* Halloween and other holiday decorations are permitted and should represent the diversity of the community, but should avoid sending the message to students that one religion or a particular denomination is preferred over another.

Collins’ explanation stands in stark contrast to what News 8 reported last week.

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Coverage included a reference to a letter from building principals explaining the decision.

“Parents say they got letters from the principals stating that since not everyone celebrates Halloween, it should not be celebrated,” News 8 reported last week.

Is the superintendent doing anything more than reversing a poor decision and attempting to blame “national extremist groups”?