CHICAGO -- Cinderella, Spider Man and Dora the Explorer will be banned from a west suburban school -- or, at least, children dressed like the characters will be.

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Cowlishaw Elementary School has canceled its annual costume parade, NBC5's Carla Eboh reported on Monday. Parents said they were disappointed in the decision.

"I think it's just a shame that they've taken that away," said parent, Carole Hennessy. "And the kids are disappointed."

School officials said they worried that dressing up like Peter Pan, Cinderella or Snow White was no longer appropriate.

"Mostly due to safety and security reasons," said Donna Crawford, assistant superintendent of the Indian Prairie School District. "In addition, we have a number of families who do not celebrate Halloween for religious reasons and we want our schools to be inclusive."

Some parents said they did not agree with the decision, as they said they think it makes the school overly sensitive. A letter sent home with students informed parents of the decision.

"There are so many more kids that get disappointed from the decision, then, it doesn't do any good," said James Piotrowski, who has a 5-year-old daughter.

District officials contended that there several other schools in the district that haven't had a parade in years, Eboh reported.

"I don't think it's a celebration of Halloween as much as it is a chance for the kids to dress up and have fun," said Greg Hennessy. "It's quick, they come out, they parade around and then back to school."