over youth violence.

The Seventh Day Adventist church's Bermuda Institute yesterday joined Warwick Academy in announcing students would go home early.

The move came as a youth leader called for Hallowe'en to be banned -- unless alternative entertainment was put on.

"What is Government, Police, the community and parents going to do about the problems,'' asked mother-of-three Ms Lois Stafford, who runs a Warwick children's programme.

"There has been a lot of talk about doing something, but so far nothing has happened.'' Bermuda Institute head teacher Sheila Holder said pupils would be dismissed at 1.30 p.m. -- as had been the case for the past three years.

"We originally took this position because the bus company was saying they were not going to run after 5 or 6 p.m. and we have students from as far away as St. David's,'' she added.

"We have kept it because of the pranks. It is for the students safety in general.'' Last week, Warwick Academy principal Bernard Beacroft stated his students would be dismissed at 1 p.m.

The move came after several of his students were reportedly targeted by a busload of egg-throwing Warwick Secondary youngsters, who also sprayed them with a fire extinguisher.

The Warwick Secondary pupils are then said to have hurled the extinguisher at their victims.

Other private schools contacted by The Royal Gazette -- Bermuda High School for Girls, Saltus, and Mount Saint Agnes Academy -- said students would not be allowed to leave early.

However, Saltus principal Trevor Rowell said: "We want to encourage people, in a positive way, to behave responsibly. We haven't had any problems in the past and hope that that will continue.'' Montessori Academy principal Gordon Maas said his school organised an "international day'' instead of Hallowe'en activities.

Each class would aim to stimulate awareness of a culture, with students dressing up in appropriate costumes, he explained.

Mr. Maas said parents were invited to be at the school from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Two schools to close early He added Montessori would also erect a peace pole carrying the message of "May peace prevail in earth'' in eight languages, including Portuguese, English, French, and various African languages.

Government schools yesterday appeared to be adopting a "business as usual'' stance.

Said Chief Education Officer Joseph Christopher: "There's been no suggestion of schools closing earlier. We have not considered that issue.'' PTB director Herman Basden voiced concern at the Warwick Academy incident and warned Hallowe'en hooligans faced being banned from buses.

"I would have no hesitation in doing so over Hallowe'en if they could be identified,'' he declared.

Police, meanwhile, have vowed to step up patrols to stamp out trouble.

They warned of the potential harm of Hallowe'en trouble-makers, saying people could be killed or seriously injured.

And next week Police will visit some primary schools to educate children on safety during Hallowe'en.

Police spokesperson Evelyn James-Barnett said the visits were part of Police' Schools Liaison/Reach community-based programme.

Sgt. Paul Singh, who is part of the programme, will visit Southampton Glebe on October 22, West End Primary on October 25, Somerset Primary on October 28 and Southampton Pre-school on October 29 to "humorously'' pass on Hallowe'en safety tips to students.

Yesterday, Ms Stafford, director of Stars For Jesus, a programme at Reheboth Church of God for two to 18-year-olds, said she would be visiting the Police today to discuss Hallowe'en trouble-makers.

"A statement needs to be made by the Police on what they are going to do.'' Ms Stafford said she had also contacted Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Yvette Swan, calling for a Hallowe'en ban.

Sen. Swan said yesterday: "We don't think at this stage Hallowe'en should be banned.''