I am not sure if it is at all schools, but there is talk that a few schools in Wicomico County will not be celebrating Christmas this year in schools.
NO Christmas parties, NO Christmas trees, NO decorations., NO Christmas cards.
What is going on? Is this from the Board of Education or the few principals who running schools like are dictators and not there to serve. They are longer are looking at the best interest of students, but pacifying the very small population of parents who complain about a Christmas tree in the foyer or getting a pencil with Santa Clause on it? We no longer have a Christmas break, but the Holiday break.
Yes, Christmas is celebrated by many Christians as the birth of Jesus Christ in which I firmly believe also, however, most Americans do not relate Christmas and this birth together. They celebrate by giving and being with family. How dare the school systems take away these things from children who look forward to having a Christmas party at school and making Christmas decorations for Christmas trees at home? The tree at my house has numerous ornaments made in school which are keepsakes to me. My children have also brought home gifts for me that were made in school. For many children, this is the only gift they have to give to their parents. Okay, not all teachers make things with their students, but the majority of teachers do with their own money. Sometimes the only gift these kids get are from their teacher. How dare we stop doing the things we have done for hundreds of year just to satisfy the small minority who are offended? I am offended that the majority no longer rules! I am offended that my rights and the rights of my children are being overlooked! I am offended that the Board would allow this! Will they have Christmas decorations in their offices? Next they will be taking the books out of the school libraries that relate to Christmas and any other holiday.
Parents need to take a stand for what WE believe in and quit letting the handful of parents who disagree take control. Stand up and voice your opinion. Look at history and what has happened in our school systems when the voice of a few have been heard. Now it’s Christmas they are taken away.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
65 comments:
If this is true I will no longer donate my time or money to the class rooms !
how sad.... that our traditions are just being left by the road side! This is the United States and now it feels like "Big Brother Obama" is a complete control freak.
Another example is Selbyville School of the Arts where Halloween was not called Halloween. It is now Fall Festival, lord (if I am still allowed to say that) what's next!!
So you're saying Christmas is now a secular holiday?
Joe , the son of the devil has taken over everything. obama has
ruined this country and it's basic religion.
It is not a RIGHT to celebrate Christmas in a PUBLIC school, it is a privilege. Joe, for someone who is always preaching about accountability and a watchful eye on spending, why do you endorse using school time for Christmas activities? If the time is going to be used, I would much rather my child be educated about the traditions of other religions around the world...something that isn't thrown in your face in TV commercials or retail stores this time of year. As a Christian who celebrates Christmas, I think this is something that should be celebrated in the home, not the classroom.
I gave up on the WCBOE after they made it blatantly obvious that they no longer work for us but we them. They run the schools as if they were penal institutions and are deaf to the pleas of parents who try to get involved.
We removed our daughter 2 years ago and at great expense and sacrifice sent her to the Salisbury School. We are more than pleased with the school as well as the changes in our daughter.
As you have seen in the news, Salisbury School placed first among 23 schools in the math team competitions. They put emphasis on true education, not pandering to the PC crowd. There is also mention of God in this school even though it is not a "christian" school. I ask all parents to place emphasis on your childs complete education, not just letters on a report card. There is fincial assistance avaliable. You have but one chance to get a good education for your child and public schools are not it!!
Mike Ash
proud parent of a Salisbury School student.
Put al the kids in White gowns and frigging skull cap with a koran bible in their hand. This bs has to stop. This is America and these educators better stand up and take notice.
yes exactly why anyone who can is moving to private schooling. this is such bs. i want a tax credit for having to pay for decent schooling since the system they have in place isnt fit for most animals, let alone children
I have the solution. Send a letter home to all parents stating that during the month of December we will be celebrating different traditions of the Christmas holiday. If you do not wish your children to participate in the history of the holiday, decorations, gift making or exchanging, you may choose to keep your child home and begin providing him/her with home schooling. The majority of taxpayers in this county would agree. Let's put it up to referendum and see what happens. Let us know Joe if there happens to be a vote on this. I may not have children, but as a tax payer in the majority I certainly will show up to the Board meeting to let them know just what I think of their stupid little idea.
It is a principal decision, my kid already has a tree at his school. Call me liberal but they should celebrate all holidays, not none.
This really is kind of depressing, the excitement is taken out of Christmas for the kids, I remember when I was in school, making decorations, having a Christmas party and handing out cards to all my friends, that was a very big part of Christmas, now my child won't get to experience the same great fun. Let us say Merry Christmas, if they don't believe they can simply say Happy Holidays, why take that from us?
Why are our Politians, Elected Officials and their appointed ones trying to eliminate everything this Country was founded on and our traditions and succeeding? This is a disgrace and slap in the face. People need to start being CORRECT and NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT. Immigrants are coming to this Country for more freedom which I have no problem with as long as it is done legally. But I disagree when their traditions and beliefs take priority and our beliefs and traditions are being destroyed.
But yet they celebrate Kwanza A made up festival from a racist from Parsonsburg and they celebrate Judaism and bend over for what ever a Muslim wants this is outrageous !
This is bs. I wasn't sure if I was going to send my daughter to public or private school but I think this has made my mind up. She'll be going to a private christian school.
joe, do you know what schools are doing this? i hope it's not hebron...
THey never had a Christmas Party. THey have Holiday Parties.
Let me know where the picket lines are. Hell I'll spring for the paper and markers. This is so stupid no wonder Jesus weeped on the cross. He could see this shi* coming.
9:43 what about the underprivileged who won't have any celebrations at all and school is there only saving grace i.e. two guaranteed squares a day and some semblance of discipline while there. For some kids school around the hoildays is the only time they feel loved, and are able to share with there classmates and see there are other things available to them except abuse and poverty.
How far we have come. When I was in, what they used to call grammar school, in the 1960's we would have school-wide CHRISTMAS shows that involved a school chorus singing traditional Christmas carols - you know, the ones still found in the hymnals in churchs. This school choir practiced on their own time as an after school project. We had students playing an instrument called "autoharps" and "tonets" which were used for Christmas carol music. We had BIBLICAL recitals from those students who were poised enough to be able to get up in front of a couple of hundred people and recite out loud. We had school singalongs of several CHRISTMAS carols.
Some parents would bring homemade CHRISTMAS cookies (it was the only way you could get them back in the day), homemade punch, and after the show we would go to the cafeteria to "celebrate" and then everyone would go back to class for the rest of the day.
Yeah, you heard right - we did this IN THE SCHOOL during regular SCHOOL HOURS.
The only way I could sum this experience up is to say everyone enjoyed it and those memories - those wonderful memories - still live on today at my age of 60.
I feel sorry for those of you who did not get a chance to experience all that because it is gone forever. It is gone forever because our society doesn't care about that stuff anymore. We are our own worst enemy. Its sad.
sign me - a nostalgic old man.
I wonder if they will let them celebrate Kwanza????????????
As an administrator in Wicomico County, I can tell you for sure that this has not been mandated by the BOE. This must be a school based decision and if so, I don't support it.
As always, my staff will celebrate the diversity of my populatoin but celebrating all holidays with our children. They are permitted to have a holiday party prior to the break and are permitted to do activities that represent all religions and cultures.
We should celebrate the diversity that makes up our schools not be scared and eliminate it all together.
Diversity divides the country and is a negative .
Mr/Ms Administrator:
Scared of?????
being pc and recognizing Islam?
Please explain.
Religion has not place in public schools. That's what churches and private schools are for.
Parents and clergy should educate children.
Freedom of religion also means freedom from religion.
Listen very carefully , it is the goal of muslim religion to eliminate all relions that are not muslim. When are you guys going to do your homework?
The absence of Christmas wouldnt bother me were it not for the fact they shove "alternative" holidays like Kwanzza down the kids throats in the name of diversity.
Note to Mike and other private school parents...No offense,but alot of us out here would love to send our kids to private school but with the economy the way it is we just are not able to.If tax credits were available to us it might be within reach but for most of us out here dealing with layoffs and trying to keep the wolf from the door,private school is just not something we can do right now.
what facts does anyone have on this topic. you all are blowing useless wind.
Religion has not place in public schools. That's what churches and private schools are for.
Parents and clergy should educate children.
Freedom of religion also means freedom from religion.
12:29 PM
Alex,
while is respect your right to your personal views, my guess is that you are in the minority. If you follow public school history you will see that when the policital correctness was put in place our schools began to deteriorate quickly. There should always be an option for non believers to have their children not attend, but to deny the majority to please the minotity is just plain stupid. You wish to remove everyones right to chose to satisfy your own belefs. Where is the fairness in that?
Why are you singling out Islam? There is a sizable number of Jehovah's Witnesses in this area and they do not celebrate Christmas. How about those of the Jewish faith? Hindus? Believe it or not, Wicomico County has become a multi-ethnic community while you were watching Fox Tv. Grow up.
Alex said...
Religion has not place in public schools. That's what churches and private schools are for.
Parents and clergy should educate children.
Freedom of religion also means freedom from religion.
12:29 PM
WRONG!! our country was based on one nation under god!!!!!if you truely feel that way move to a thrid world country
Damnit Joe please educate your toothless Ozarkian readers,why did he or she have to say a comment about Kwanza. People when are you going to learn black folk aren't the enemy here and when the shi* really hits the fan you better pray that there are some brothers friendly with you and yours. Remember United We Stand, does that still mean anything?
I know that more people in Wicomico County feel that we should celebrate Christmas than those who don't feel we should. What about Democracy? Let's vote. Either have an election or send home a ballot to the parents of the children in school. Communities have to start listening to the whole group and not just a handful. Is there any meeting on this?
Lets all complain and not do anything about it....
10:27 - I can say that when I was a student in Wicomico county schools, we DID in fact have Christmas parties and programs.
Never say never, it will make you incorrect more often than not.
Someone needs to call the BOE on Monday.
The constitution ensures no state sponsored religion. It doesn't mean all public places should be free from religion.
People at the BOE do not want you to have the ability to celebrate your own religious beliefs outside of your home, they want to drive God underground and eliminate Him from public life.
These people must be stopped.
Are they your friends?
Are they your neighbors?
Where do they live?
The BOE heads are appointed not elected.
They are not beholding to you or your belief system, their god is the state and O'malley.
We need to make them feel the heat with phone calls and letters.
Then we need to take them to court. If enough of us will stand together and use the legal system to rain fire down on them, they will give up.
They are weak, spineless, and evil people.
Oh hey... Sears is having a sale.
have to go
Pathetic! We can give black history a whole month but not one day for a "christ"mas party??
Please remember that this is NOT coming from teachers, it is coming from the higher ups- like principals. Those who think they are in total charge and what they say is the law. Parents need to call their child's school and find out what kinds of celebrations will be going on. Will there be a Christmas tree put up, will students be allow to have a Christmas party or will it have to be call a "Holiday Party?" Until parents start standing up as a group, nothing will change. Of course, they may be lied to since that's what some (not the majority)principals are known for.
Contact your local PTAs and see what they can do to help
I dont care if you are christian or not, this country was built on christianity, and if you dont like it, LEAVE
The PTAs can't do anything. They are under the thumb of the school principals. The principals tell them what they can and can not do.
3:41.. thats the kind of comments we don't need. This country was founded on freedom from persecution and tyranny. Its pretty rude to say if you don't like christianity you should leave America.
If you actually read the original constitution, there's not a mention of any form of religion anywhere.
Rob S
Christmas has become too commercialized anyway. In this economy, the BOE shouldn't be spending money on Christmas parties. The kids can celebrate their "chosen holiday" at home with their family. School holiday activities also highlight the differences between the haves and the have not children. The less advantaged children don't have the money to buy gifts for classmates/teachers and really don't need to see how much the rich kids can buy or get for Christmas.
Ah, Christmas time must be near, and the December dilemma rears its ugly head.
However, before everyone jumps on the "let's bash the WCBOE" bandwagon, how about we attempt to confirm whether this information is accurate? The first line of this post speaks volumes..."not sure, all schools, there is talk, a few schools, etc."
Attacking the WCBOE and other religions on this blog does nothing to further the concern that the author expressed.
If this information is indeed true, and I hope it is not, there are systematic steps you can take to address it. Start by educating yourself. There is tons of information online about what the Supreme Court has actually allowed and disallowed in regard to religion in public schools. You'll get a lot further if you speak from knowledge and not emotion.
Folks,
I don't like to see a concious effort by schools to rid themselves of ANY religious holiday based activities but...
Throwing a hissy fit is not the most "Christian" thing to do, is it?
Telling people that disagree wtih you to move to a "third world" country smacks of hate.
Complaining that there is a whole month for black history but not one day for Christians is a little LESS than Christ like talk, don't you think?
Blaming the president (any president) for these things is knee jerk foolishness. One man can't cause all this.
Going back to basics....Do you folks think that Jesus Christ (you know, the CHRIST in Christian and Christmas) would like to see his name and convictions smeared through the mud like we all do so often?
Compassion, hope, love, peace....
That's Christ.
Pointing fingers, scapegoating, perpetuating hate....that's us. That's humans.
The whole point of being a Christian is to transcend these things. An inability to do so is an admittance that faith in Christ is wrong.
I'm not willing to admit that yet so I'm begging all of you to try to change things in a positive way.
Teach your kids to turn the other cheek...to help those in need...to be positive creatures and not hatemongers.
TRULY living like Christians would help change the world. Walk the walk, don't just talk the talk.
Thank you,
Scott
Classroom teachers and the parents pay for the refreshments for the holiday parties. Just some other expenses paid out of pocket. The Bd. of Ed. pays nothing.
When a Nation that is founded on Christian traits and principles begins to disregard them, and its heritage, within its education system, soon it will have no sense of purpose or direction that is complimented with moral turpitude.
This is just one more reason to support an elected board of education for Wicomico County.
@6:59
I guess you're not familiar with the Treaty of Tripoli, ratified by John Adams, which states:
"...the Government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Tripoli
Why don't we just celebrate no holidays, or presidents day or black history month or anything. I would think that everyone of them makes someone unhappy. We will become a society that has no backbone, where everyone is scared they are going to say or do something wrong. We are already becoming a society where we blame others for our faults. Where we don't punish the criminals. Something has to change. Don't let them take all our freedoms.
Well Scott isn't throwing a hissy fit the beginning of revolution ? What are people supposed to do keep turning their cheek ? Eventually you end up where you started from ! Didn't Jesus condemn the Jews and attack their money changers ?
9:03...
I'd be lying if I said you didn't have a point of sorts.
Yes, throwing a fit is the beginning of revolution.
But if revolution doesn't start AND end on a righteous note then it's not worth it.
My point wasn't that people of faith shouldn't stand up for their faith.
They should....by living the beliefs they claim to hold dear.
But...hatemongering, name calling, pointless arguing instead of positive, personal, daily action is not behavior which pushes forward the agenda of Christ. It breeds war and strife.
Remember, the early Christians went to the lions with faith. Their faith sparked "revolution" all over Europe. Personal faith. Not hatemongering.
As far as Jesus...sure.
He was angry that people were defiling a house of the Lord.
Sort of what everyone who uses Christ as an excuse for aggression or hate is doing. I'm sure they would receive the same reception from him. But the thing is...he'd forgive them. And try to change their hearts with positive, brave, personal action. And he did, right?
So yes, you're right....you do come back to square one.
And as far as turning the other cheek....I guess it comes down to how strong your faith is.
thank you for the reply and further conversation.
Trust in God and fear no man.
Scott
Folks, the Principals don't make the laws they are required to follow. Simply, they have to follow the Establishment Clause under the Separation of church and State - it is not a request, it is the law. Do a Google search under these terms and really read what it says or chat with any local attorney about it. I am a Principal on vacation here from New York City, and can tell you that I would like nothing better than to see religion in schools, but I'd be fired in a heartbeat if I let it happen.
Guess What, Folks? Christmas is about - CHRIST! My daughter goes to Christian school where she learns without disturbances, is unashamed to pray in front of others, and can celebrate Christmas openly. It is a sacrifice budget-wise, but i don't waste my money on cigs, dope or tattoos. Make the sacrifice, folks. It's worth it!
Scott you don't have to be nice when your beliefs are being trampled ! there is no hate mongering unless you watch the liberal media . Why is it OK to break tradition and remove every speck of Christ from school and insert other religions one of which is not a religion at all just a made up holiday like Festivus ! Christ wasn't always nice about what he thought was wrong sometimes you have to stand up and say I have had enough and I'm going to fight !
8:07, Can you point me to the LAW titled "separation of church and state"? That's one of those phrases that everyone has thrown around for so long that many people think is an actual law. It's not.
Teaching ABOUT the differing cultures and religions of our world is a part of social studies, though many anti-religion people hate to hear that. It is perfectly acceptable under the First Amendment which reads in part, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" to study religions of the world. If a school were to teach about only ONE religion, there would be a problem. Studying the symbols associated with the many religions should not be an issue, either, nor should having displays depicting those symbols.
Many teachers, and dare I say administrators, could use some lessons about what is acceptable under the First Amendment. Parents, too. Quite frankly, it is the lack of knowledge about those that are different from us that breeds fear, ignorance, and hatred.
8:41 Not everyone who doesn't have their kid in private school is a druggie . Also I pay tax's for public school and would want to be reimbursed if I want to put my kids in better schools ! Statements like yours only give Christians a bad name !
"...there is talk..."
So there is no absolute proof yet?
Why don't you wait for facts before you all overreact?
Wow, another post that show's how quick some people are to jump on a bandwagon. The original poster said,
"I am not sure if it is at all schools, but there is talk that a few schools in Wicomico County"
For a post of "not sure" "there is talk" and "a few" you people sure are worked up into a lather. Try thinking for yourself!
If this is the kind of jump-to-conclusion hear-one-point-of-view thinking private school would get me, then no thanks.
2:48 Instead of saying "Someone needs to call board" why don't you man up and do it. Then you'll find out how moronic this whole discussion is.
Wow. First I've heard of this and I teach in the county. We always have a holiday party. That's right a holiday. Everyone should remember there is more than one religious holiday celebrated in December. Christians want to recognize their holiday, but could care less about others. It is up to the teacher if gifts are exchanged and the theme of the class party. The students are just happy to eat themselves silly and make a craft. Lighten up people.It's not your party. It is for the kids!
...Anybody want to help me set up a life sized replica of a nativity scene in front of the BOE offices. I figure that we could roll up there in a few trucks, set up, and be gone in under 10 minutes...then, we can put out fliers that say it was paid for by 'surplus funds' (no need to be specific, right?) and watch the fireworks....
...who says there is nothing fun to do in Salisbury...
heh, heh, heh....
(name withheld due to my attachment to the BOE on my sister in law's 4th cousin, twice removed by marriage and then divorce)
The best way to find out if your child will have a holiday party is to ask your child's teacher. I have been in many of Wicomico's schools and most operate the same way regarding parties - it is up to the teacher. Most elementary school principals allow for a set number of parties during the school year. The teacher (and usually the kids in the class) decide which holiday(s) they will hold their parties on. Most decide Christmas and Easter but not all.
Secondary schools do not usually hold classroom parties at holidays or any other time.
All the schools' and centrals' offices I have been in usually decorate for Christmas. The BOE even has a tree they put up every year in their lobby. Central office workers donate or lend decorations for it.
Nothing has changed regarding the holiday season at the BOE.
What will it take to change the current process? How do we go about transitioning from appointed board of education members to elected ones? Elected by the people and communities they represent? Rather than by a governor who couldn't tell you the name of one of the county high schools. I say you start with the teachers and then fill the remaining positions based on available funds. Unfortunately, the current process is to make sure the assistant has an assistant to the assistant. All to support some postion head. Really, something as to change.
Every time the Central Office creates a new position to reduce the workload of some slacker, it's like Christmas. Teachers and principals get loaded down as more responsibilites are added, but Central Office employees get tons of new positions created and also get comp time if they go one second beyond their work day. Eliminate comp time at the Central Office and let them work on their own time for free like those of us in the schools. The DT article on STEM mentioned a man who works at the Central Office as "Coordinator of Secondary Initiatives." What a crock. If STEM is for math and science, there are two supervisors and a coordinator combined in those two subjects. Might be too much work for them so hire a coordinator. Could we get a list of positions that have been created at the WCBOE in the last five years? In just maintenance and facilities, there have to be at least 25. One was just added to finance to meet with bookkeepers in the schools. You mean there was nobody in finance who could have done that? Of course, they might have had to work beyond their scheduled hours so a position was created. Also end the take home vehicles. Those people don't go to schools before they go to the Board office in the morning. Let them get the car then.
5:15: again, another example of someone speaking about something before having all the facts. My spouse works at the board of ed, and never has once, ever, in years of work, taken comp time. There may be some who do it, but my spouse and others in that department do not. And I know many principals who give comp time occasionally for working above and beyond. That said, I understand that the schools is where the "real" work gets done...that's why the central office is here, and anyone who doesn't recognize that and keep it in perspective needs to rethink things. Oh, and there's not enough comp time in the year for the teachers who are really doing the job!
OK If anyoe wants to point fingers at anyone for this well the person to blame is dead now and that is the late Madlyn Murray OHare,A Godless hag who started this whole mess back in the 60's when she sued the Baltimore schools system and got the whole ball rolling with eliminating God from schools.If you dont know who she was,Google it.
And furthermore I take insult at the comment suggesting some of us cant afford private school because we blow our money on other things.In case you didnt know,there is a recession on and maybe your job is secure but alot of us out here arent so sure about that and/or are living on one paycheck hoping things will get better.I think putting a roof over my kids head supercedes paying tuition for private school.Hard to do homework when the power is cut off,now isnt it?
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