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Boy in a Santa Suit asked to leave school dance
The Hampton Union ^ | December 21, 2004 | Patrick Cronin

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."


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: New Hampshire
KEYWORDS: hampton; religious; ridiculous; santa; santaclaus; seventhgrader; theateroftheabsurd
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When Bryan returned to the school, the principal said, ‘What are you doing, trying to get me fired.’

And this is a private school. Amazing.

Hampton Academy Junior High School

1 posted on 12/23/2004 12:37:10 PM PST by O.C. - Old Cracker
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker

Onion?...


2 posted on 12/23/2004 12:37:59 PM PST by dakine
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker

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.


3 posted on 12/23/2004 12:40:42 PM PST by L98Fiero
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker
I am about ballistic on this "separation of church and state" BS.

Where do the liberals claim this is etched in stone and why are thy so intolerant of people who believe in Jesus Christ?

Mostly rhetorical bump.....
4 posted on 12/23/2004 12:41:24 PM PST by Delta 21 (MKC USCG -ret)
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker

"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.


5 posted on 12/23/2004 12:41:47 PM PST by Gefreiter (When seconds count, the police are minutes away.)
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To: dakine

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.


6 posted on 12/23/2004 12:42:32 PM PST by O.C. - Old Cracker (When the cracker gets old, you wind up with Old Cracker. - O.C.)
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker

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.


7 posted on 12/23/2004 12:42:47 PM PST by Askel5 († Cooperatio voluntaria ad suicidium est legi morali contraria. †)
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker
"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."

No there isn't and no you don't.

8 posted on 12/23/2004 12:43:09 PM PST by CaptRon (Pedecaris alive or Raisuli dead)
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker

Of course because a Santa suit is offensive. . .


9 posted on 12/23/2004 12:44:58 PM PST by Tempest (Click on my name for a long list of press contacts)
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker
And this is a private school. Amazing.

Which makes the "Separation of Church and State" comment even more stupid.

10 posted on 12/23/2004 12:45:07 PM PST by TankerKC (The Media turn each tactical victory for insurgents into a strategic victory for terrorists.)
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To: Askel5

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.


11 posted on 12/23/2004 12:45:50 PM PST by O.C. - Old Cracker (When the cracker gets old, you wind up with Old Cracker. - O.C.)
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker
When Bryan returned to the school, the principal said, ‘What are you doing, trying to get me fired.’

Now that you mention it…
12 posted on 12/23/2004 12:47:14 PM PST by Logophile
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker

How very sad.


13 posted on 12/23/2004 12:47:26 PM PST by DoughtyOne (US socialist liberalism would be dead without the help of politicians who claim to be conservat)
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker
the principal said, "What are you doing, trying to get me fired?

No, that was not the boy's intent, but the principal should be fired for being a brainless twit.

14 posted on 12/23/2004 12:47:45 PM PST by DeFault User
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker

Looks like it is a public school.


15 posted on 12/23/2004 12:48:00 PM PST by TankerKC (The Media turn each tactical victory for insurgents into a strategic victory for terrorists.)
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker

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.


16 posted on 12/23/2004 12:49:32 PM PST by Snapple
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker
"It was a holiday party,"

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?

17 posted on 12/23/2004 12:49:54 PM PST by BROKKANIC
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker
Lafond said while he disagrees with their reasoning he could almost understand it.

Oh Really. That in itself is a sad statement as well.

18 posted on 12/23/2004 12:50:27 PM PST by Dad2Angels
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To: TankerKC
Exactly, and did you notice the comment made by the boy's father? The parents are all over the map on this. There are a lot of people out there who have become so intimidated that they are fearful to speak out in public.

[Michael] Lafond said while he disagrees with their reasoning he could almost understand it.

19 posted on 12/23/2004 12:50:33 PM PST by O.C. - Old Cracker (When the cracker gets old, you wind up with Old Cracker. - O.C.)
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To: O.C. - Old Cracker; biblewonk
"It was a holiday party," said [Principal Fred] 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."

Now I've heard everything. In this day and age, someone (still) regards Ol' St. Nick as a Christian icon?! Just shoot me.

20 posted on 12/23/2004 12:51:46 PM PST by newgeezer
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