Private school keeps asking which holidays we celebrate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can’t you just tell them?
You are making this much harder than it needs to be. Are you trying to make a point? Life is too short for getting worked up about something so ridiculous.

They don't want to burden the school with making changes. That's why. Op said that in her post. The school is making it a big deal.

[Anonymous]

The school likely doesn't want to to offend you. They want to make an inclusive environment I think it's kind of overkill too but what's the big deal about completing a form in a private school? They want to know what holidays the families who pay good money in tuition celebrate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school likely doesn't want to to offend you. They want to make an inclusive environment I think it's kind of overkill too but what's the big deal about completing a form in a private school? They want to know what holidays the families who pay good money in tuition celebrate.

Because they don't think it's important for the school to know. Those forms have multiple questions such as the kid's favorite color. A lot of Hindu families leave it blank because they don't care if the kid learns about Christmas. It's a given if the school is Christian. Should the school also not talk about god? Kind of ridiculous to expect that so most don't say anything because they don't want special treatment.

[Anonymous]

Either tell them what you do celebrate, if anything, or tell them you don’t want to fill out the info and are fine with anything your child learns. Keeping them hanging when they want to know is rude.

We used to have to fill out a form like this every year at day care. The only part I cared about was sending lunch at passover so the kids didn’t eat the school lunch at that time. So I filled out that part in detail and the rest very minimally and it was fine. But had the school wanted more, I’d have rolled my eyes but complied. You’re part of the community, so act like it. Or find a different place if it’s not working for you.

[Anonymous]

If it's a Christian (or other religion) school, I doubt they are worried about "offending" OP with religious talk or that they will provide alternate assignments based on OP's religion. A primary function of most religious schools are to teach religion.
However if they find that many of their students are of a different culture (not even necessarily a different religion) and will be taking a holiday off to observe, the school might alter their schedule to avoid disruption.
For example, if they already know several months (or even a year) in advance that multiple children will not be in school on X date, they might avoid scheduling class pictures or the school chorus concert or something that day.

[Anonymous]

This is a weird thing to be secretive about, OP.

[Anonymous]

My kids when asked this question proudly said we celebrate “Festivus for the Rest of Us!”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's a Christian (or other religion) school, I doubt they are worried about "offending" OP with religious talk or that they will provide alternate assignments based on OP's religion. A primary function of most religious schools are to teach religion.
However if they find that many of their students are of a different culture (not even necessarily a different religion) and will be taking a holiday off to observe, the school might alter their schedule to avoid disruption.
For example, if they already know several months (or even a year) in advance that multiple children will not be in school on X date, they might avoid scheduling class pictures or the school chorus concert or something that day.

That argument doesn't fit here since they are asking mid-year. The family doesn't care which holidays the kid will celebrate otherwise they would have spoken to the school about it. Pressing for that information is not necessary. It sounds like the school has nothing better to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's a Christian (or other religion) school, I doubt they are worried about "offending" OP with religious talk or that they will provide alternate assignments based on OP's religion. A primary function of most religious schools are to teach religion.
However if they find that many of their students are of a different culture (not even necessarily a different religion) and will be taking a holiday off to observe, the school might alter their schedule to avoid disruption.
For example, if they already know several months (or even a year) in advance that multiple children will not be in school on X date, they might avoid scheduling class pictures or the school chorus concert or something that day.

That argument doesn't fit here since they are asking mid-year. The family doesn't care which holidays the kid will celebrate otherwise they would have spoken to the school about it. Pressing for that information is not necessary. It sounds like the school has nothing better to do.

Mid year is when they start planning NEXT years calendar, so it does fit here if they are expecting OP's kid will still be at the school next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school likely doesn't want to to offend you. They want to make an inclusive environment I think it's kind of overkill too but what's the big deal about completing a form in a private school? They want to know what holidays the families who pay good money in tuition celebrate.

Clearly op won’t be offended. Not everyone is a delicate flower who needs to be catered to. Maybe they’re atheists who are open to all religions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's a Christian (or other religion) school, I doubt they are worried about "offending" OP with religious talk or that they will provide alternate assignments based on OP's religion. A primary function of most religious schools are to teach religion.
However if they find that many of their students are of a different culture (not even necessarily a different religion) and will be taking a holiday off to observe, the school might alter their schedule to avoid disruption.
For example, if they already know several months (or even a year) in advance that multiple children will not be in school on X date, they might avoid scheduling class pictures or the school chorus concert or something that day.

That argument doesn't fit here since they are asking mid-year. The family doesn't care which holidays the kid will celebrate otherwise they would have spoken to the school about it. Pressing for that information is not necessary. It sounds like the school has nothing better to do.

One teacher responded to OP’s comment in a conversation and one person sent an email. It hardly sounds like anyone is “pressing” or “keeps asking” as OP’s title says.

OP- If you didn’t want to talk about what holidays you do or don’t celebrate, you shouldn’t have brought it up! They are responding to YOUR comment!

[Anonymous]

Do you always find it “ridiculous” when schools take their job seriously?

Would you rather the forms contain a bunch of questions they don’t want the answer to?

Try to have some grace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's a Christian (or other religion) school, I doubt they are worried about "offending" OP with religious talk or that they will provide alternate assignments based on OP's religion. A primary function of most religious schools are to teach religion.
However if they find that many of their students are of a different culture (not even necessarily a different religion) and will be taking a holiday off to observe, the school might alter their schedule to avoid disruption.
For example, if they already know several months (or even a year) in advance that multiple children will not be in school on X date, they might avoid scheduling class pictures or the school chorus concert or something that day.

That argument doesn't fit here since they are asking mid-year. The family doesn't care which holidays the kid will celebrate otherwise they would have spoken to the school about it. Pressing for that information is not necessary. It sounds like the school has nothing better to do.

Mid year is when they start planning NEXT years calendar, so it does fit here if they are expecting OP's kid will still be at the school next year.

Op here. I doubt that's it. There are 3 or so families from our same culture at the school. I have already been asked several times this question and I replied our child can celebrate all of the holidays just like everyone else. They are making it a big deal by bringing it up so much and it's getting uncomfortable.
In the email to the director reminded us they are a Presbyterian school as if we didn't know that and even mentioned if we don't celebrate these holidays perhaps the school isn't right for us. So now do you see why we may not want to disclose which holidays we don't celebrate? Our particular religion doesn't have a lot of options because it's so rare. I am looking into secular schools for next year. Both my husband and I went to Baptist missionary schools but we lived in a country where the majority of the population wasn't Christian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school likely doesn't want to to offend you. They want to make an inclusive environment I think it's kind of overkill too but what's the big deal about completing a form in a private school? They want to know what holidays the families who pay good money in tuition celebrate.

Because they don't think it's important for the school to know. Those forms have multiple questions such as the kid's favorite color. A lot of Hindu families leave it blank because they don't care if the kid learns about Christmas. It's a given if the school is Christian. Should the school also not talk about god? Kind of ridiculous to expect that so most don't say anything because they don't want special treatment.

Ppl who feel strongly are not going to send their kid to a religious school of a different religion.

Ppl who don't care are fine with the kid doing Xmas crafts etc.

OP is composing to be part of that school and then acting like the school is the problem.

Everyone agrees that this would be a very different situation of it were a public school.

I'm not even Christian or super into Christmas myself. Just a person with some common sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school likely doesn't want to to offend you. They want to make an inclusive environment I think it's kind of overkill too but what's the big deal about completing a form in a private school? They want to know what holidays the families who pay good money in tuition celebrate.

Because they don't think it's important for the school to know. Those forms have multiple questions such as the kid's favorite color. A lot of Hindu families leave it blank because they don't care if the kid learns about Christmas. It's a given if the school is Christian. Should the school also not talk about god? Kind of ridiculous to expect that so most don't say anything because they don't want special treatment.

Ppl who feel strongly are not going to send their kid to a religious school of a different religion.

Ppl who don't care are fine with the kid doing Xmas crafts etc.

OP is composing to be part of that school and then acting like the school is the problem.

Everyone agrees that this would be a very different situation of it were a public school.

I'm not even Christian or super into Christmas myself. Just a person with some common sense.

That's not necessarily true but if it were a big deal to do Christmas crafts this family would have said something already. They didn't. The school needs to move on.