I concur with lockmama, that the variation between school policies makes it impossible for us to be able to answer your question. Is there a "room mother" for your daughter's class? (It's usually a person who helps the teacher arrange parties, and coordinates volunteers for different classroom events.) That person should be able to help explain things, too. While children who come to your house "trick or treating" on Oct.31 may expect a piece of wrapped candy, children do not usually exchange candy at classroom parties, but the parents may provide some other snacks and refreshments to the class.

One of the things that may be particularly confusing is the "selection" of costumes that children wear. While many that are advertised seem related to popular TV shows or somewhat "dark" characters, like vampires and witches, I would simply look at the day as an opportunity for your daughter to engage in make-believe dress-up. Many girls like to dress up as princesses, or perhaps even favorite animals (face paint can be used to make children look like cats, etc.) but another option that I liked to use with my child was to decorate a large box that could be "worn." We would cut out holes for his head and arms to poke through, and paint it to look like a different object. One year, he was a "dice," in a box painted white, with black dots on the sides. Another year, we re-painted the same box to look like a computer screen, and I attached a keyboard to the front. My favorite was one year where I glued styrofoam cups to the box, and painted layers in different colors to look like Lego pieces. You don't have to buy any expensive costume just to have your child participate in the event.

I would suggest you contact your daughter's school to find out what, if anything, will be done differently on Halloween. Some schools allow children to dress up while others do not. Some classrooms have a party and ask each child to contribute something while other schools do not allow outside food. Those schools that do allow dress up might have restrictions on costumes, preventing mask from being worn. In my area, children are not allowed to go to school in costume. They have a normal day of school and then have some time to get into costume right before the parade. Students are not required to dress up in a costume. Here parents are allowed to attend the parade, but it is not a requirement. Good luck and I hope your daughter has a great time!