Religion at school events, Creative Minds International

[Anonymous]

I attended at STEAM night with my family at Creative Minds International last week and was surprised that Easter had a station for the younger students. Why bring in a Christian holiday on STEAM night. Why bring in Christianity to a school event at all? It is a public school. I understand that there was a very Christian Santa theme for a literacy assembly in December.
I thought this school was all about inclusiveness. It didn’t feel that way, especially with those of us who are celebrating Ramadan. Somehow that wasn’t a STEAM station.

[Anonymous]

Lol welcome to DC. Are you new here?

[Anonymous]

This would be a huge issue for me (we're not a Christian family). I've never seen anything like this at our DCPS ES or MS.

[Anonymous]

I have not been in a school that has actively showcased one religion during school wide events. It seems strange and it’s uncomfortable if you are in the minority.
It was a STEAM night, not an Easter night.
Shows insincerity with regard to inclusiveness CMI is.

[Anonymous]

Easter at a STEAM night is just weird. But I will say that our DCPS does all holidays as opposed to none. So there is Xmas/Santa at our holiday fair, but also dreidel playing, Kwanzaa candles, etc.

[Anonymous]

Did you ask the school about it or say anything to the staff/administration?

[Anonymous]

Look this is how it works in DC schools outside of W3. You will not get them to take Easter (or Christmas) out of the school. But if you want to add Ramadan (or Hannukah) they’ll almost certainly support that. So you need to be proactive and understand where you are.

[Anonymous]

Something makes me doubt you’re Muslim. Most I know aren’t threatened by Santa, which has nothing to do with Jesus Christ. There are no elves on a shelf, no Rudolph, no Frosty, nor egg laying bunny in the Bible. Islamic holidays aren’t commercialized yet so there’s no incentive to advertise and promulgate those. Give it time. In the meantime, I’m sure you can go to your school and speak to kids about your holiday. My daughter heard about the Chinese new year last month from one parent and this month asked if she’s supposed to fast after hearing about Ramadan at school. Inclusive can take different forms and a nod to one American cultural component isn’t necessarily dismissive of others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Something makes me doubt you’re Muslim. Most I know aren’t threatened by Santa, which has nothing to do with Jesus Christ. There are no elves on a shelf, no Rudolph, no Frosty, nor egg laying bunny in the Bible. Islamic holidays aren’t commercialized yet so there’s no incentive to advertise and promulgate those. Give it time. In the meantime, I’m sure you can go to your school and speak to kids about your holiday. My daughter heard about the Chinese new year last month from one parent and this month asked if she’s supposed to fast after hearing about Ramadan at school. Inclusive can take different forms and a nod to one American cultural component isn’t necessarily dismissive of others.

+1. I think the advice of wanting to teach about a muslim holiday (or maybe a cultural celebration from your home country) is a good idea that would likely be welcomed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look this is how it works in DC schools outside of W3. You will not get them to take Easter (or Christmas) out of the school. But if you want to add Ramadan (or Hannukah) they’ll almost certainly support that. So you need to be proactive and understand where you are.

My child is at a W8 ES and W6 MS and this is not true for any of our time at these schools (since 2015).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look this is how it works in DC schools outside of W3. You will not get them to take Easter (or Christmas) out of the school. But if you want to add Ramadan (or Hannukah) they’ll almost certainly support that. So you need to be proactive and understand where you are.

My child is at a W8 ES and W6 MS and this is not true for any of our time at these schools (since 2015).

I seriously doubt there’s a ban on Santa at the W8 ES. I can believe that they teach the Dreidl song along with the Christmas carols.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look this is how it works in DC schools outside of W3. You will not get them to take Easter (or Christmas) out of the school. But if you want to add Ramadan (or Hannukah) they’ll almost certainly support that. So you need to be proactive and understand where you are.

My child is at a W8 ES and W6 MS and this is not true for any of our time at these schools (since 2015).

My kids are at a W6 ES and this is exactly how it is. Every holiday that a parent is willing to come in and teach about is celebrated, so there's been Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Holi, Lunar New Year (Chinese and Korean variations), Ramadan, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look this is how it works in DC schools outside of W3. You will not get them to take Easter (or Christmas) out of the school. But if you want to add Ramadan (or Hannukah) they’ll almost certainly support that. So you need to be proactive and understand where you are.

My child is at a W8 ES and W6 MS and this is not true for any of our time at these schools (since 2015).

I seriously doubt there’s a ban on Santa at the W8 ES. I can believe that they teach the Dreidl song along with the Christmas carols.

I don't remember every saying there was a ban on it. I just said that the Christian holidays are not a default in the school and parents need to request to add other religious celebrations. None of the holidays are put on by the school but parents can come into their child's classroom to present on any family traditions/celebrations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look this is how it works in DC schools outside of W3. You will not get them to take Easter (or Christmas) out of the school. But if you want to add Ramadan (or Hannukah) they’ll almost certainly support that. So you need to be proactive and understand where you are.

My child is at a W8 ES and W6 MS and this is not true for any of our time at these schools (since 2015).

I seriously doubt there’s a ban on Santa at the W8 ES. I can believe that they teach the Dreidl song along with the Christmas carols.

I don't remember every saying there was a ban on it. I just said that the Christian holidays are not a default in the school and parents need to request to add other religious celebrations. None of the holidays are put on by the school but parents can come into their child's classroom to present on any family traditions/celebrations.

We all know Christmas is the default. Come on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I attended at STEAM night with my family at Creative Minds International last week and was surprised that Easter had a station for the younger students. Why bring in a Christian holiday on STEAM night. Why bring in Christianity to a school event at all? It is a public school. I understand that there was a very Christian Santa theme for a literacy assembly in December.
I thought this school was all about inclusiveness. It didn’t feel that way, especially with those of us who are celebrating Ramadan. Somehow that wasn’t a STEAM station.

Do you really think something like this is worth complaining about? Do you know what "inclusiveness" means?