The recent lice outbreak at Chartiers Valley Intermediate School has forced district officials to cancel the annual Halloween parade and request that students not wear costumes today.

The decision also reaches to the primary school a few miles away, although there still will be a small Halloween parade in the front parking lot.

In a letter sent home to parents, primary school principal Ronald Yasher said they are trying to make accommodations to prevent he spread of lice. District officials have said the lice outbreak at the intermediate school has been controlled and they want to prevent any additional cases.

“This year we are asking that no costumes be worn for our Halloween party and parade,” Yasher wrote in the letter. “We want to minimize the contact students and teachers have with the clothing and hair of others. Instead of costumes, we encourage students to wear festive clothing such as t-shirts, sweatshirts or stockings.”

The primary school’s Halloween parade was set to begin shortly before 2 p.m. Friday.

“In place of costumes, each homeroom will be working throughout the week to make a special Halloween accessory that the class will showcase during the Halloween parade,” Yasher wrote in the letter.

Chartiers Valley spokesman Chuck McCartney said both schools still will have their classroom Halloween parties. He said the decision made by school officials to remove costumes was an obvious choice and been met with no complaints.

“I think it’s kind of understood,” McCartney said. “They probably would rather have no more spread of lice than the parade since they’ll still be using their costumes for Halloween.”