MERIDEN -- Katherine Rodriguez wanted to dress up as a referee when she goes to school on Halloween, but Platt High School's administrative team has overturned her decision.

Platt administrators are telling students they cannot wear Halloween costumes to school this year, and students are not happy. Students feel they should be able to wear costumes, especially because students are allowed to at Maloney High School.

Platt students showed their displeasure Thursday by circulating a petition and planning a walkout.

Principal Timothy Gaffney said he is standing by the school district's dress code, which bans items such as short skirts and flip-flops.

The dress code does not mention Halloween costumes, but Gaffney has made it clear that students should not wear costumes to school.

He sent a letter to parents and posted an announcement on the school's Web site: "To maintain educational decorum, students will NOT be allowed to wear Halloween costumes."

Last Halloween, Gaffney said, he enforced the dress code, but many students came to school dressed inappropriately. Many were sent home or had to call parents for a change of clothes.

"You don't want to take away from education time," Gaffney said.

After last year's experience, Gaffney said, Platt is trying to be proactive by warning students that the dress code will be fully enforced on Oct. 31.

About 10 percent to 15 percent of students typically wear costumes to school and a handful are upset they cannot dress up, Gaffney said.

Platt students, however, said they are joining together to try to lift the ban on costumes. Students plan to present Gaffney with a petition today signed by more than 150 students and teachers. They also said they will walk out in protest.

Rob Roark, 17, said he was suspended Thursday for distributing fliers about the walkout.

"Maybe if everyone joins together, we can get something done?" said Rodriguez, 16.

And if the effort fails and the Halloween costume ban remains in effect, many students said they still intend to come to school wearing a costume.

Nick Teldosio, 17, and his friends said they will dress as Ninja Turtles.

"I really didn't hear any good reason not to dress up," Teldosio said.

Jonathan Baez, 17, also said he would wear a costume on Halloween.

"If everyone comes to school dressed up, they can't suspend everyone," he said.

Jeffrey Villar, associate superintendent for instruction, said he was a little shocked by the reaction of the students.

"We enforce the dress code every day," he said. "It's a regular school day."

The dress code policy states that clothing, shoes and accessories should not be dangerous or unsafe. It also states that the items should not be disruptive to the education process.

While Halloween costumes are not banned in the code, Villar said the costumes - even masks - would most likely be considered disruptive.

"It's just easier not to dress up," he said.

Maloney Principal Robert Angeli said students at his school are allowed to dress up for Halloween as long as their costumes are appropriate for school and follow the district's dress code.

Masks and excessive face paint that obscure a person's identity of are not allowed at Maloney, but the administration makes some allowances.

For example, hats are not allowed under the dress code, but Angeli said witch hats are allowed at Maloney on Halloween.

"We understand that people want to have some fun," he said.

Platt students said their school and Maloney are different in more ways than one, pointing out homecoming dances.

Last year, Platt did not hold a homecoming dance, and there will be no fall dance this year. After many years without a homecoming dance, Maloney reinstated the tradition last year.

The semiformal dance in the gym went smoothly, and this year students are allowed to bring a non-Maloney student to the affair.

"Dances in general are a problem," Gaffney said, adding that the dancing is often inappropriate.

Many Platt students see not having a homecoming dance as punishment.

"Why should we be punished for other people's stupidity?" said Andrew Fusaro, 17.

While the petition and the planned walkout are in response to the costume ban, Platt students said their efforts reflect growing frustration with their school's administrators.

"It's my senior year," said Candace Travali, 16. "Each year, it seems like they take away something."

Platt is not the only school in the Meriden area not to celebrate Halloween.

Edison Middle School, a science and technology magnet school operated by Area Cooperative Educational Services, also does not allow students to wear costumes.

Costumes are distracting and some people do not celebrate the holiday, Edison Principal Karen Habegger said.

"It's just easier to stay away from it all together," she said.

Wallingford School Superintendent Dale A. Wilson said his district's two high schools allow students to dress up for Halloween. Lyman Hall even reserves a page in its yearbook to commemorate the holiday.

"I leave it up to the building principals," he said. "A number of them allow students to dress up."