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"Happy Winter" just doesn't have the same ring as Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah, but in one Connecticut elementary school, that's about all you'll see and hear this holiday season.
Erik Brown, principal of Walsh Elementary School in Waterbury, Conn., has reportedly banned all religious festivities and many decorations from the classroom since arriving at the school five years ago.
This is one town away from me. Let's all pretend that differences don't exist at all... that will make things so much more realistic for kids in school. La la la la la *inserting fingers in ears*
"Happy Winter" just doesn't have the same ring as Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah, but in one Connecticut elementary school, that's about all you'll see and hear this holiday season.
Erik Brown, principal of Walsh Elementary School in Waterbury, Conn., has reportedly banned all religious festivities and many decorations from the classroom since arriving at the school five years ago.
This quote (from Board of Education member John Theriault) really sums up the problem quite nicely for me:"I felt there was inequity," Theriault said. "If one school has Christmas parties for the kids, then others should too."
This is a man totally unclear on the law of the land.
One school should not be having Christmas parties for the kids - and that one does the wrong thing does not mean that all of them have to.
This is one town away from me. Let's all pretend that differences don't exist at all... that will make things so much more realistic for kids in school. La la la la la *inserting fingers in ears*
There is a difference between "pretend that differences don't exist" and "officially celebrate a majority religion's holiday."
When I went into the article, I thought they were telling kids they could not wear crosses or stars of David, and I was prepared to be outraged by the school's meddling with individual students' religious practices.
But, instead, what I found was an article about the principal of a school doing what he is supposed to do - keep religious events out of his school.
There is a difference between "pretend that differences don't exist" and "officially celebrate a majority religion's holiday."
When I went into the article, I thought they were telling kids they could not wear crosses or stars of David, and I was prepared to be outraged by the school's meddling with individual students' religious practices.
But, instead, what I found was an article about the principal of a school doing what he is supposed to do - keep religious events out of his school.
And I notice he's still having a "winter celebration" and kids are still giving out presents, so he's not being the official Grinch of Greater Connecticut.
Moreover, I am fairly certain those who think that banning religious symbols from a school during Christmas is a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad thing would feel quite strongly -- and not in a positive way -- about decorating the schools with "Happy Eid al-Adha!" or showing bright cartoon pictures of how Mohammad ascended to Heaven from Jerusalem on a winged horse.
I'm surprised this is even news. Isn't it the norm that public schools don't have Christmas (or other religious) decorations and holiday parties? Apparently not, which I suppose shouldn't really surprise me. The principal here deserves praise. This shouldn't even be an issue.
The kids are still singing some Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa songs at their annual concert and having a party, so it's also not like he's keeping kids from being exposed to the diversity of holidays out there. I have no problems with kids learning about different religions, traditions, etc., if done in an appropriate way, and it sounds like he's simply tried to eliminate the problematic practices and implement appropriate policies for a public school.
You are right, I did not read the article. :blush. I was just going by the headline posted, and I assumed he was not allowing songs, etc. Since Christmas and Hanukkah are religious celebrations, I thought he had eliminated them from school in their entirety. Note to self: Read the article next time.
You are right, I did not read the article. :blush. I was just going by the headline posted, and I assumed he was not allowing songs, etc. Since Christmas and Hanukkah are religious celebrations, I thought he had eliminated them from school in their entirety. Note to self: Read the article next time.
I very much appreciate this post.
There is no doubt that the headline is inflammatory - and prompts one to that sort of reaction.
You are right, I did not read the article. :blush. I was just going by the headline posted, and I assumed he was not allowing songs, etc. Since Christmas and Hanukkah are religious celebrations, I thought he had eliminated them from school in their entirety. Note to self: Read the article next time.
'Sokay. You get points for admitting it. And yeah, I figued it had to be Fox if it wasn't World News Daily.
Moreover, I am fairly certain those who think that banning religious symbols from a school during Christmas is a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad thing would feel quite strongly -- and not in a positive way -- about decorating the schools with "Happy Eid al-Adha!" or showing bright cartoon pictures of how Mohammad ascended to Heaven from Jerusalem on a winged horse.
I realize and in general agree with the point you are making; however any cartoon depiction of Mohammad would have everyone, including Muslims, up in arms.....
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