School's inclusive Christmas excludes Christ

Chicago Tribune ^ | December 6, 2004 | Jeff Long

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

When children who attend the McHenry County school gathered in the gym last week to brighten friends and parents with holiday cheer, they sang of lighting candles for Hanukkah, gave their rendition of a Jamaican folk song and even did their lists for Santa.

But their songs never mentioned Christ or the Christmas story--an omission that drew swift criticism from Christian groups pushing public schools to remember the meaning of Christmas.

"The reason for the season is Christmas," said Dave Smith, senior policy analyst for the Illinois Family Institute, a Christian organization. "At least some equal time would have been nice."

Officials at Spring Grove Elementary School said they were just trying to be more inclusive of all holiday traditions and cultures during concerts Wednesday and Thursday nights. Any overlooking of Christ and Christmas was inadvertent, they said.

"There wasn't anything to slight anybody," Principal John Druszczak said.

But a parent apparently disagreed and contacted the Illinois Family Institute about the holiday programs presented by the McHenry County elementary school, Smith said.

Smith put her in touch with Chicago lawyer Andy Norman, who said Friday that he has been involved in a nationwide fight to "save Christmas from" the American Civil Liberties Union.

[L98Fiero]

Any overlooking of Christ and Christmas was inadvertent, they said.

At a Chrismas party?

[eccentric]

Perhaps the best way to resolve this Christmas issue is for Christians to move their massive gift giving celebrations to New Year's Day and make Christmas religious holiday again.

[odoso]

"Officials at Spring Grove Elementary School said they were just trying to be more inclusive of all holiday traditions and cultures during concerts Wednesday and Thursday nights."

Perhaps our nation would be served better if those charged with educating kids in AMERICA, remembered they're in America. Those "Officials" should be named and fired. Think they'd remember then?

[cyncooper]

But a parent apparently disagreed and contacted the Illinois Family Institute about the holiday programs presented by the McHenry County elementary school, Smith said.

And the reason the parent didn't discuss it with the school first???

And if the parent was in attendance, one presumes their child was performing so why didn't they know what songs were to be presented ahead of time? I always know what is going to be performed.

Sounds like over-reaction to me, especially with the comments from the school.

[NYer]

Catholic Ping - please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

>

[cyncooper]

Named and FIRED?!

That's crazy.

[MinstrelBoy]

Christmas wasn't always celebrated. It used to be thta it was only celebrated when it was on a Sunday. But I like your idea. Let's do it.

[massgopguy]

Silly, that's what "Boxing Day" is for.

[Always Right]

Officials at Spring Grove Elementary School said they were just trying to be more inclusive of all holiday traditions and cultures during concerts Wednesday and Thursday nights. Any overlooking of Christ and Christmas was inadvertent, they said.

Oh come on, they did make this Santa lists.....

[odoso]

I suppose your right... If my kids attended that school, why wouldn't I want them being led by ("Any overlooking of Christ and Christmas was inadvertent, they said.) liars.

[BibChr]

At a Chrismas party?

Exactly, and deftly put.

It's like a party given in the name of Ronald Reagan — in a room decorated with pictures of Sam Donaldson, Jimmy Carter, Thomas Foley, Garry Trudeau, and Bryant Gumbel; and speeches honoring Carter's economic policies, Walter Mondale's life... and of course (why not?) Bill Clinton.

I guess to make it fit even better, you'd have to somehow persecute anyone who actually named or celebrated Ronald Reagan.

At the Reagan party.

Dan
Biblical Christianity web site
Biblical Christianity BLOG
To Tell the Truth, Virginia...

[kassie]

I wish the public would realize CHRISTMAS is a religious holiday for CHRISTIANS.

PLEASE leave it alone!

[cyncooper]

Well, if your child attended the school, I presume you would know ahead of time what the program would entail and would have made your thoughts on the matter known. If you were then informed that they prohibited Christmas songs that mention Jesus, THEN I would say you had a complaint.

So far you're over-reaction appears baseless and nasty (not the image I would guess you are seeking to present).

[EdReform]

BTTT

See also: Group wants end to 'Happy Holidays'

[odoso]

Anyone ever tell you where presumptions can lead? As for your judgement on my "over-reaction" May I suggest you remove the log in your own eye before attempting to remove the spec in mine.

[cyncooper]

It says it was the musical program, not a *Christmas party*.

The way it works is the kids take music at school and present a program to the parents.

That's it. If it is given during this time of year they do songs related to it.

At my daughter's school they split the younger grades up so some perform now and others in March. The older kids will be giving two concerts (we will attend this Thursday, and naturally I already know every song that will be played---band this year, not "just" singing).

[tob2]

"There wasn't anything to slight anyone" Say what?

[barnstone]

IF THEY WANT TO OMIT CHRISTMAS, LET THEM. EVEN THOUGH IT IS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY, I FOR ONE, WOULD LIKE TO STOP PAYING TEACHERS FOR PAID HOLIDAYS THAT THEY REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE AND REFUSE TO TEACH THE CHILDREN. IT WOULD SAVE A LOT OF ARGUMENTS AND MONEY FOR ALL OF US. KEEP THE PARTIES AND CELEBRATIONS AT HOME.

[cyncooper]

Anyone ever tell you where presumptions can lead?

So you would NOT be aware of what your child was learning at school?

OK, we've all noted that.