E-mail the Principal
Cottondale Elementary School
Posted on 12/01/2012 6:22:09 PM PST by Coleus
Cottondale- Santa Clause, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman were all accounted for Wednesday on the lawn of Cottondale Elementary School. But for many in the community, key Christmas characters were missing.
"The department of Education came in and talked to us about the legalities of religion in the school systems and the separation of the two" explained Cottondale Elementary School Principal, Brenda Jones. "So, I came back and talked to the faculty about the law and way it's written. Trying to be fair to all people decided that we would just not put the nativity scene out on campus."
The nativity scene has been a fixture of the school's holiday decor for years, though the law has been in effect for many of them. Jones told us, "some of us have not really gone by [the law] totally. We've tried to be more of what we felt, other than what the law was stating."
We asked Jones, what made this year different? "Most people just say 'Merry Christmas' and it's just a greeting" she said. "Others of us say 'Merry Christmas' and it means more to us- more than the words we're saying. But yes, I think somewhere where there is a law you have to draw the line and we've chosen to just not push it."
But parents and community members told us they were upset the Nativity scene had to be stored in a closet, instead of displayed in the yard. Vicki Barber was one of many citizens who said she believed Florida schools should have fought harder against the regulation.
"I like what Louisianan did. They said, 'we're going to put one up, and we don't care who don't like it, we're going to do it. But, unfortunately, Florida is divided" Barber told us. She suggested asking property owners across from schools to display the Nativity. "Contact the schools, see if they can borrow the nativity set. Or get one, or call a church, we'll happily put one up for you" Barber told us.
If our Founding Fathers were this wishy washy, there would be no United States of America.
Cottendale where???
Perhaps a different approach might be called for. Explain to the administration that it is time for the nativity scene to come out of the closet and no longer be ashamed about being what it is. That will stike a chord in them as they are so enthusiatic about coming out of the closet.
Bump!
Why not put FL: in the headline?
“Trying to be fair to all people decided that we would just not put the nativity scene out on campus.”
So the FAIRNESS doctrine applies to all groups except Christians?
I put florida in the “topics” list.
If the Christian religion may not act to worship in the public square, then Christian ethos - caring for a fellow man - has no place in policy making - or guilt tripping Christian citizens to part with their wealth
Personally, as an atheist. I don't see the harm of such displays on public property. Atheists should understand that the vast majority of people sending their children to public school are religious in one way or another.
Having a Christmas tree in a classroom is not going to indoctrinate anybody.
Do they have schools named for Peter Rabbit’s other siblings, Flopsy and Mopsy?
school systems and the separation of the two
No seperation exists. It is not in the Constition and it was never in the day to day life of Americans in our schools communities or even opur government, at our founding.
This needs to be fouight by parents everytinme it rears its ugly head.
Yep - those who claim "separation" are really intent on doing exactly what the Founders tried to prevent when they said there should be no law regarding government-sponsored religion or preventing folks from practicing their religion. It's almost ironic that they claim separation and intend fully engaged conflict.
Why fight? Just do it. Don’t worry about the flack.
Don’t kowtow to liberal ass holes. Screw em. Go ahead and celebrate Christmas and tell them to go piss up a rope.
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