Christmas carols banned--at recess?

[Anonymous]

I'm guessing there is more to this story. Must have been annoying, disruptive or something if it even came to the teacher's attention during recess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing there is more to this story. Must have been annoying, disruptive or something if it even came to the teacher's attention during recess.

Then why would teacher lecture about the appropriateness?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So glad we are on school break now. Let's leave religion to religious schools and actually learn some math and grammar.

I want my kids to be able to sing any PG rated song they want on the PLAYGROUND. Sure classroom is for learning, but playground is for recreation time, not math and grammar.

[Anonymous]

People need to get a grip. I'm sick of the politically correct war on Christmas. You don't have to celebrate it, but it is part of the American tradition. If that bothers someone, let him emigrate to Israel.... or ISIS Syria....or where ever floats your boat. And have a Merry Christmas!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A Jew here...why on earth couldn't the children sing the song at recess?? It's not promoted by school, it's not bad or offensive. Censoring kids form singing a religious song because some other kid doesn't celebrate that same religion is going way too far. Our public MCPS school doesn't have a holiday party at all, that's fine I get it (though I honestly never cared growing up and uses to love making gingerbread houses at the school party because I never did at home!).

But let the kids sing what they want on the playground! This is going too far.

Another Jew agreeing with this. I had teachers lead prayers to Jesus in my public school classroom as a kid. My kids will survive jingle bells on the playground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A Jew here...why on earth couldn't the children sing the song at recess?? It's not promoted by school, it's not bad or offensive. Censoring kids form singing a religious song because some other kid doesn't celebrate that same religion is going way too far. Our public MCPS school doesn't have a holiday party at all, that's fine I get it (though I honestly never cared growing up and uses to love making gingerbread houses at the school party because I never did at home!).

But let the kids sing what they want on the playground! This is going too far.

The kids were singing an obnoxious version of "Jingle Bells." The teacher was using whatever method she could to get them to shut up. OP is over-reacting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not many 9 year olds in our group even discuss Santa. I am one that as very pro separation of church and state. However, I think your 9 year old needs to get some thicker skin. My 8 year old isnt allowed to play video games, he is fine when his friends talk about all their video games.

Did you really go there? Did you really just equate your parenting decision not to allow video games with children feeling singled out when they are part of a minority religion? Religious identity for families and children can be a serious issue. In this country it is very hard to be a member of one of the minority religions as so many people believe that the cultural norm of Christianity should be catered to predominantly. Additionally, allowing Christmas into the public schools lends itself to kids segregating out the "weird" kids who don't celebrate Christmas. But this country was founded on the principle of religious freedom. People should be free to practice what religion they want. Allowing Christmas to dominate in public schools makes it much harder for non-Christian families during the holiday season.

For what it's worth, I'm Christian and celebrate Christmas. I recognize this because my best friend is Jewish and I've seen how easy it is even when people are well-meaning for the non-Christians to feel excluded or actually be demeaned by people who complain about the war on Christmas. You expect Christmas to be everywhere and for those who don't celebrate to just deal with it.

[Anonymous]

Children have rights too, including the right to free expression. This is a violation of their rights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is part of the reason why we are in a Catholic school. I heard that saying God bless you when someone sneezes is no longer acceptable.

You should definitely stay in Catholic school (from a Catholic). Watched. Wonderful 2nd grade holiday show today where they sang about all the major holidays. So refreshing for a school not to shy away from religion. And yes, DCPS school.

I was there too -- two of the many adorable songs brought tears to my eyes: "My friend's family celebrates Ramadan" (really captures the nonchalance and respect of diversity among our kids) and "Innkeeper" (a beautiful song of inclusiveness, pleading for someone to let Mary in). "December in Our Town" is a great tradition at our school, celebrating the spirit of the season and the diversity of our families. The kids were so poised and cute. Great job teachers!

PP here. So glad I wasn't the only teary one. I grew up in Catholic school and had no idea about other holidays. I love that my kids get to spend time at school leading about what their friends are celebrating. The 2nd grade team did an awesome job.

Oh, great. So now the meaning of Christmas has to be "inclusiveness." How PC of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People need to get a grip. I'm sick of the politically correct war on Christmas. You don't have to celebrate it, but it is part of the American tradition. If that bothers someone, let him emigrate to Israel.... or ISIS Syria....or where ever floats your boat. And have a Merry Christmas!

It may be part of your American tradition. But for our American tradition, it's just a day off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is part of the reason why we are in a Catholic school. I heard that saying God bless you when someone sneezes is no longer acceptable.

You should definitely stay in Catholic school (from a Catholic). Watched. Wonderful 2nd grade holiday show today where they sang about all the major holidays. So refreshing for a school not to shy away from religion. And yes, DCPS school.

I was there too -- two of the many adorable songs brought tears to my eyes: "My friend's family celebrates Ramadan" (really captures the nonchalance and respect of diversity among our kids) and "Innkeeper" (a beautiful song of inclusiveness, pleading for someone to let Mary in). "December in Our Town" is a great tradition at our school, celebrating the spirit of the season and the diversity of our families. The kids were so poised and cute. Great job teachers!

PP here. So glad I wasn't the only teary one. I grew up in Catholic school and had no idea about other holidays. I love that my kids get to spend time at school leading about what their friends are celebrating. The 2nd grade team did an awesome job.

Oh, great. So now the meaning of Christmas has to be "inclusiveness." How PC of them.

Um it was a "holiday" show not a Christmas show. I know you may find this shocking, wait for it, there are other holidays besides Christmas. I know right?

And it you are a Christian you know that Christmas isn't the most religious holiday of the calendar year.

[Anonymous]

What kind of a pussy loses the mood if it's called holiday and not Christmas ???

[Anonymous]

I don't get it. If you talk about Christmas and Haunukah you are a pussy?

Considering it happened last week shouldn't it have been about Haunakka and not Christmas? PP, you can't really have it both ways only one holiday was being celebrated last week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not many 9 year olds in our group even discuss Santa. I am one that as very pro separation of church and state. However, I think your 9 year old needs to get some thicker skin. My 8 year old isnt allowed to play video games, he is fine when his friends talk about all their video games.

Did you really go there? Did you really just equate your parenting decision not to allow video games with children feeling singled out when they are part of a minority religion? Religious identity for families and children can be a serious issue. In this country it is very hard to be a member of one of the minority religions as so many people believe that the cultural norm of Christianity should be catered to predominantly. Additionally, allowing Christmas into the public schools lends itself to kids segregating out the "weird" kids who don't celebrate Christmas. But this country was founded on the principle of religious freedom. People should be free to practice what religion they want. Allowing Christmas to dominate in public schools makes it much harder for non-Christian families during the holiday season.

For what it's worth, I'm Christian and celebrate Christmas. I recognize this because my best friend is Jewish and I've seen how easy it is even when people are well-meaning for the non-Christians to feel excluded or actually be demeaned by people who complain about the war on Christmas. You expect Christmas to be everywhere and for those who don't celebrate to just deal with it.

Blah blah blah...I am an atheist and I think a kid or two should be able to sing a Santa song during their recess time. It's not about feelin excluded, minority vs majority, it's about a kid being able to sing a song. I grew up Jehovah's Witness and I recall singing drake songs with my Jewish friends. I am as hardcore liberal as they come (anti pledge of allegiance etc), a kid's recess time is their personal time.

[Anonymous]

**Dreidel songs not drake...although Im sure I sang some NKOTB and MC Hammer too.