A Manhattan Private School Cancels Skating Party at Trump Rink

Town and Country Magazine ^ | February 17, 2017 | Sam Dangremond

[Jim Noble]

Dalton parents reportedly refused to send their kids to the party in protest of the president

This is a story—like so many Upper East Side stories—that has its origins in the weird and wild 1980s. During that decade, the city of New York had promised to renovate Central Park's Wollman Rink in two years, but the beloved landmark remained closed instead for six. In stepped Donald Trump, who convinced Mayor Ed Koch to let him finish the work in four months as long as he could manage the venue.

Trump made good on his side of the deal, and Wollman Rink is still managed by the Trump Organization today.

But the association with our new president apparently didn't sit well with an elite Manhattan private school that counts Anderson Cooper and Claire Danes among its alumni.

According to the New York Post, the Dalton School canceled its annual skating party, "Dalton on Ice," because "parents refused to send their kids in protest of the president."

A spokesperson from the Dalton Parents Association told T&C that "the event was canceled solely due to lack of interest based on feedback from many families."

A Dalton parent contacted by T&C who spoke on condition of anonymity said that "at Dalton, nothing is done without careful consideration for all parties."

"Basically, they do this annual event to build community," the parent said, "and this year because of Trump creating ire among so many, [the parents association] just thought it would be a poor decision to host the event there. Their feeling was, if you're instead building division and controversy then you're defeating the purpose of the event."

The parent characterized Dalton as "definitely a progressive school," and said "it's a very diverse community."

"It's so easy to find something else, so why do it in a place that has any smell of controversy?" the parent added. "How difficult is it to find an alternative venue without the controversy and ickiness attached to it?"

[citizen]

Perhaps some parents will be able to find a more suitable school for their children.

[xkaydet65]

Yeah they pat themselves on the back and say look at how compassionate we are. But do five extra filled seats really cost them anything.? If a grade has five homerooms that’s one more kid in each class. 21 instead of 20. Does that really cost the school anything at all.

[Jim Noble]

"Perhaps some parents will find a more suitable school for their children"

Here you go: The Little Red Schoolhouse.