The Chatham Central School District is joining some school districts in New England and the eastern U.S. in banning clown costumes this Halloween. In a post to the district website Fri., Oct. 7, Superintendent Cheryl A. Nuciforo said she made the decision to ban the costumes at school, school events and on school buses after consultation with building administrators. Nuciforo said she was taking the unprecedented step "to ensure that students can enjoy the fun of Halloween without worrying about their safety." In a letter to parents and guardians on October 6, Nuciforo wrote that recent reports of clown sightings caused community concern, but after consultation with law enforcement the district was assured there was no credible threat. In banning the costumes, she said, "It is unfortunate that we need to take this step, but I feel strongly that it is necessary to provide an environment where all students feel safe and secure at school." Clowns are the latest subject of internet hoaxes and panic. In the past weeks, stories from various locations have circulated about scary clowns looking to harm people. WTEN reported in late September that scary clowns were spotted at an apartment complex in Clifton Park and at another location in Halfmoon. In Poughkeepsie, a 13-year-old was charged by police after making a threat against Poughkeepsie Middle School as “Kluster thee Klown.” The police allege the teen created a Facebook page and made the threat “to prank classmates from his old school” last week. Ronald McDonald, the fast food giant's clown mascot, is laying low until the clown craze in the country dies down, Time magazine reported Tue., Oct. 11. The company remains “thoughtful in respect to Ronald McDonald’s participation in community events” as a result of the “current climate around clown sightings in communities," the Associated Press reported.