Posted on 01/24/2007 2:11:18 PM PST by Sybeck1
Shelby County Schools' newest board member, Fred Johnson, wants to change "Christmas Break" to "Winter Break" on the school calendar.
"I want to make it inclusive of every religious group," he said.
Johnson's unexpected declaration, during a recent discussion of the 2007-08 and 2008-09 school calendars, did not sit well with all board members.
"This is America. Since Day One, we've recognized Christmas as Christmas and Christmas Break as Christmas Break," said board member Joe Clayton, who said he would never support a change of the wording.
The two-week break between December and January has captured the board's attention before. Three years ago it was called Winter Break, until Clayton led the move to adopt the Christmas title.
Clayton was also a major force in putting an elective course on Bible study in high schools several years ago. The course is still available in some schools.
"I just believe we've got to hold on to some of the traditional things of our country. It's kind of like apple pie," he said.
According to board chairman David Pickler, the board approved the Christmas Break measure because it represented the values held by the majority of the Shelby County population.
"Our board has long stood for traditional values. It does in no way exclude other religions," he said.
One board member supporting the idea of a secular name change is Teresa Price.
During school calendar committee sessions, made up of a cross section of the community, several parents and teachers supported doing away with the Christmas Break title, she said.
A retired county administrator, Johnson joined the board last year to serve the remaining two years of the term for Wyatt Bunker, who was elected to the County Commission.
Johnson, who is a Christian and celebrates Christmas, says a public institution funded by taxpayers' dollars has the responsibility to be inclusive to all the religions of its students and parents.
"I'm not trying to make waves, but I made a commitment I would try my very best to keep every child in this community in mind," he said.
Public disagreement among school board members is rare and whether intended or not, Johnson's proposal has rocked the boat.
The school board is scheduled to vote on the calendar wording at its 1 p.m. meeting Thursday at the board of education, 160 South Hollywood.
-- Lindsay Melvin: 529-2445
Copyright 2007, commercialappeal.com - Memphis, TN. All Rights Reserved.
And 'multicultural' means no culture at all.
The Memphis government schools are probably the worse in the Nation.
So, under this socialist point of view that every religion must be represented, the minorities all get equal representation with the majority, which gets a disproportionately much smaller representation.
It's a "cross" section of the community, all right.
Another tool for the demonic left, who wants to eradicate the name of Jesus wherever they can.
Christmas is a legal federal holiday. Even the feds still recognize it.
I am confused. Must have been that recent recent brain operation.
Christmas is a federal holiday.
Even Hogwarts School has a Christmas Break.
This coming from a southern state! Just goes to show you how bad its gotten down here.
And for all you Tennessee Freepers - If I didn't live in Alabama I'd choose Tennesse to live in. Its a beautiful state!
Wonder how excluding ALL religious groups is inclusive of every religious group.
Are they gonna change 'ramadan' to the November break???! Why are they just focusing on Christmas?
Now they're being hemispherist. What about all those folks south of the Equator for whom that time of year is summer?
Common sense: So rare it is becoming an oxymoron.
I am tired. At first glance at the headline I thought it meant the school would make slender kids quit ridiculing and shaming the fat ones.
Maria you are correct about the Memphis schools but the Shelby County schools are leaps and bounds ahead of Memphis and that is why King Willie (Memphis Mayor) wants to consolidate with the county in order to bring the county down to the level of Memphis.
Wait, wait! Let me guess - to be inclusive they will let non-Christians have Christmas break off too! So that must mean if they are currently excluded from Christmas Break they are currently attending school those days.
If they are going to pretend that America doesn't celebrate Christmas by name, they should truly be defiant be in class that day.
Parents who wish to take their chidlren out of school that day should not be penalized. The NEA can explain to their teachers why "winter break" will now be held Dec 31/Jan1.
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