Bryan Lafond, in a photo taken at his home,
before going to the holiday dance at Hampton
Academy Junior High School on Friday night.
Posted on 12/23/2004 12:37:09 PM PST by O.C. - Old Cracker
Bryan Lafond, in a photo taken at his home,
before going to the holiday dance at Hampton
Academy Junior High School on Friday night.
HAMPTON - A parent of a Hampton Academy Junior High School student says the principal of the school told his son to leave the school’s holiday dance on Friday night because the boy was dressed in a Santa Claus costume, which was politically incorrect. Michael Lafond said his son, Bryan, went to the dance dressed as Santa because it was a holiday party.
"He asked if he could dress like Santa and we said yes," said Lafond. "We went to Brooks and purchased the outfit and everything."
Lafond said his wife dropped off Bryan at the school.
"I went to the dance with my friend," said Bryan Lafond, who is in seventh grade. "He had an elf hat on and we thought it was pretty cool. Everyone loved the suit, but when I went by the principal, he asked why I was dressed like that."
Principal Fred Muscara said he told the boy he couldn’t get into the dance because he was wearing the costume.
"It was a holiday party," said Muscara. "It was not a Christmas party. There is a separation of church and state. We have a lot of students that go to Hampton Academy Junior High that have different religions. We have to be sensitive to that."
Bryan said while Muscara didn’t say he had to leave, he told Bryan if he wanted to go the dance he would have to change out of the suit and put on proper attire for the dance.
Having nothing to change into, Bryan left the dance to try and find his mother.
"My wife was leaving the parking lot when she saw Bryan running out of the building," said Lafond. "He told her that the principal said it was politically incorrect to wear the Santa outfit."
"I saw him running out of the building crying," said Leslie Lafond, Bryan’s mother.
Lafond said while he disagrees with their reasoning he could almost understand it.
What he couldn’t understand was why his son was able to leave the dance.
"One of reasons why we are so angry is that the school has a policy that says once you go to the dance you can’t leave until it’s over," said Lafond. "You can’t leave school grounds unless they call a parent. If my wife wasn’t there, my son would have been out roaming the streets."
Bryan’s mother picked up her son and drove him home to change.
Lafond said his wife had to persuade Bryan to go back to the dance.
"He was so embarrassed," said Lafond. "It wasn’t like he was trying to pull a prank. He is just a good-natured kid getting into the holiday spirit who just happened to walk right by Scrooge."
Muscara said he was unaware that Bryan left the dance.
"I asked if he had something he could change into and he said he did," said Muscara.
Lafond said when his wife drove Bryan back to the dance, she complained to school officials.
She said she also complained to several School Board members and Muscara.
On Monday, Bryan’s parents went before the School Board to voice their concerns.
"I don’t want this to happen again," said Leslie. "It is unacceptable. When Bryan returned to the school, the principal said, ‘What are you doing, trying to get me fired.’ That is not a proper comment to make to a student."
Superintendent James Gaylord told the School Board it would discuss the matter in non-public session because it involved a student and personnel.
When contacted at her house Monday afternoon, Hampton School Board Chairman Nancy Serpis said she was concerned with what she heard.
"We need to look at the whole situation," said Serpis.
Lafond said political correctness is getting out of control.
"I don’t get it," said Lafond, citing a PTA breakfast with Santa at the school a couple of weeks ago.
"What’s next? Are they going to get rid of Halloween because of paganism?" he asked.
"The last time I checked, Christmas was the celebration of the birth of Christ and not Santa Claus," Leslie said. "I want them to make an apology to my son. My son was humiliated."
And this is a private school. Amazing.
Onion?...
Poor Santa.
One group points at him and calls him secular and the other points at him and call him religous. Poor guy is gonna develop a complex.
"It was a holiday party...It was not a Christmas party. There is a separation of church and state. We have a lot of students ... that have different religions. We have to be sensitive to that."
Erm...and what, exactly, does Santa Claus have to do with the birth of Jesus? I mean, I didn't go to a snoo-tay private school or anything, so maybe I was just not educated well.
No, it doesn't appear to be a spoof. In fact, the article provides the name of the school principle, and if you click on my link to the school's website, you will find the name is correct.
That's so sad ... look how happy he looks beforehand only to end up shamed for no reason and ejected, in tears, to find his Mom.
I cannot wait until the table breaks and we can stick the heads of principals like his on pikes.
No there isn't and no you don't.
Of course because a Santa suit is offensive. . .
Which makes the "Separation of Church and State" comment even more stupid.
I can wait for the table to break because when it does bloodshed will occur. But I am also a realist. Unless God intervenes and turns the heart of our nation, we are headed for civil war.
How very sad.
No, that was not the boy's intent, but the principal should be fired for being a brainless twit.
Looks like it is a public school.
I think that people who are not Christians can be a bit sensitive to those who are, too.
I would not be offended if someone came in a costume of a different religion.
Of course, Santa is St Nickolas, but he is a fairly secularized symbol. They even have him in Japan.
What holiday would that be? If you don't believe in Christmas what holiday are you celebrating at a holiday party in December? And why would you be at a party celebrating a holiday that isn't a holiday to you?
Oh Really. That in itself is a sad statement as well.
[Michael] Lafond said while he disagrees with their reasoning he could almost understand it.
Now I've heard everything. In this day and age, someone (still) regards Ol' St. Nick as a Christian icon?! Just shoot me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.