Walsh Elementary School in Waterbury Connecticut bans Santa Claus and Christmas Trees

Yet another wonder “progressive” school. This one is in Waterbury Connecticut, and calls their Christmas celebration the “Winter celebration”. Not even happy holidays (as there is also Hanukkah this month). According to the Republican American, in the weeks leading up to Walsh Elementary School’s Dec. 21 “winter celebration,” staff will carefully avoid religious and secular symbols of Christmas such as Santa Claus and Christmas trees. No mention though if any muslim symbols, or burkas are banned.

Walsh Principal Erik Brown has banned Christmas parties in classrooms and many decorations since arriving at the school five years ago. These, he said, can offend some students, who would be forced to leave while celebrations are ongoing.

“It is a state law that a public school can’t knowingly exclude children,” Brown said. “This is not a church. It’s a school and it’s a public school. I have to do things that include every child. So what we do is celebrate winter.”

This struck a sour chord with Board of Education member Paul D’Angelo, who said he’s received complaints from one teacher and one parent. He’s requested School Superintendent David L. Snead to send a message to all staff that Christmas celebrations are allowed.

If Snead doesn’t respond accordingly, D’Angelo says he’ll ask the Board of Education to adopt a policy forbidding principals from stopping holiday celebrations.

“There seems to be a war specifically targeted against those of the Christian faith,” D’Angelo said. “There’s not much we can do about it in the world. But I can do whatever I can as a school board member to make sure it doesn’t infest our schools.”

D’Angelo is backed by board member John E. Theriault, who said he’s asked Snead to intervene for two years. Both officials said many of Waterbury’s 20 elementary schools put up Christmas ornaments and allow Christmas parties.

“I felt there was inequity,” Theriault said. “If one school has Christmas parties for the kids, then others should too.”

Attempts to reach Snead Tuesday and Wednesday were unsuccessful. He did, however, release a statement reminding staff that holiday festivals are allowed but cannot promote religion.

“As long as the line is not crossed between ‘teaching’ about a holiday and ‘endorsing’ the religion, this is acceptable, but no public school should promote any religious observance,” Snead’s memo reads.

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December 4, 2009 · Filed Under General Politics


Comments

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  • kenny komodo

    I don’t remember there being any problems when I was in elementary school with celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah. Of course this is going back quite a few years, before the “progressives” took over our educational system. Every classroom had Christmas decorations and classrooms with Jewish students, which was every one of them, also had Hanukkah decorations. Hmmmm…I wonder if Principal Brown would ban “footbaths” if some of his Muslim students demanded they be provided for them. I’m betting…nope. Nothing to see here, move along now.

  • russ

    Do ya s’pose Black History month and Cinco de Mayo have been banned?

  • sarah

    Amazing!!!
    I’m in awe of the guts this school system has to finally follow the U.S. Constitution! And of course the person at the helm is a man of color!
    I’m so very proud of these people in this school!
    They show real progress.
    Their kids who get a true education at this school will evolve and further progress our country. That gives me hope for the world and should give you hope too.

  • Kara

    This school is always in the news.Poor scores, DCF problems related to the principal, teachers being harassed, negating morale responsibility (keeping up the staff’s morale), non-disclosure of discipline referals, threating to have teacheers fired if they write to many referrals. The man that claims to be in charge is completely overwhelmed with the monster he created.

  • Nick

    This might come as a shock, but there are actually some populations in the United States that are not predominantly Christian or Jewish. The majority of Walsh students come from Islamic backgrounds. Christmas trees and menorahs might not be their thing.

    If sensible thought is welcome here (all signs point to “it’s not”), this post won’t be deleted.