Anonymous
Post 12/08/2025 09:30     Subject: Elf in the shelf
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It is wild what is "normal" in other parts of the country, having grown up on the west coast and raising children in FCPS. Friends show pictures of decorating a class christmas tree, santa coming to the school christmas party, writing assignments where they write a letter to santa.

It's not normal here, OP. A good portion of students don't celebrate christmas. Please keep your family christmas traditions at home and let school festivities be things that are accessible to students of all backgrounds.


I mean, are your friends at private schools? We're at a religious private here in Fairfax County. My kids love setting up the Christmas decorations at school - because everyone else is doing it too. When we were in FCPS the celebrations were always - correctly - very generically about winter. Sometimes the teachers would set up a time where kids of all backgrounds could share holiday traditions during the year, which everyone enjoyed.


Nope. Public schools in Indiana, Arkansas, and Ohio.


I don't think people around here realize that in many places in the United States, Christmas trees are not an issue because it is a more homogenic culture. They may be different colors, but they celebrate Christmas. So, I guess the question is--is it okay if everyone is fine with it?
Anonymous
Post 12/08/2025 09:27     Subject: Elf in the shelf
Anonymous wrote:Don't do it here. Population does not all want Santa let alone Christmas.

Gotta run, time to load my 10 foot Menorah in car to take to classroom tomorrow.

See....?

Menorahs are religious. Santa and elves are cultural, but not religious. Menorahs are more similar to nativity sets/creches.
Anonymous
Post 12/08/2025 09:24     Subject: Elf in the shelf
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It is wild what is "normal" in other parts of the country, having grown up on the west coast and raising children in FCPS. Friends show pictures of decorating a class christmas tree, santa coming to the school christmas party, writing assignments where they write a letter to santa.

It's not normal here, OP. A good portion of students don't celebrate christmas. Please keep your family christmas traditions at home and let school festivities be things that are accessible to students of all backgrounds.


I mean, are your friends at private schools? We're at a religious private here in Fairfax County. My kids love setting up the Christmas decorations at school - because everyone else is doing it too. When we were in FCPS the celebrations were always - correctly - very generically about winter. Sometimes the teachers would set up a time where kids of all backgrounds could share holiday traditions during the year, which everyone enjoyed.


Nope. Public schools in Indiana, Arkansas, and Ohio.
Anonymous
Post 12/08/2025 09:24     Subject: Elf in the shelf
Legally speaking, once the teacher accepts your Xmas tree, she opens her classroom to become a public forum. Other parents can demand display of their particular religious holiday, and it would get out of control real quick.

I am not the one making policies at FCPS, but I can understand if FCPS policy is a no.
Anonymous
Post 12/08/2025 08:34     Subject: Elf in the shelf
Anonymous wrote:It is wild what is "normal" in other parts of the country, having grown up on the west coast and raising children in FCPS. Friends show pictures of decorating a class christmas tree, santa coming to the school christmas party, writing assignments where they write a letter to santa.

It's not normal here, OP. A good portion of students don't celebrate christmas. Please keep your family christmas traditions at home and let school festivities be things that are accessible to students of all backgrounds.


I mean, are your friends at private schools? We're at a religious private here in Fairfax County. My kids love setting up the Christmas decorations at school - because everyone else is doing it too. When we were in FCPS the celebrations were always - correctly - very generically about winter. Sometimes the teachers would set up a time where kids of all backgrounds could share holiday traditions during the year, which everyone enjoyed.
Anonymous
Post 12/08/2025 07:58     Subject: Elf in the shelf
It is wild what is "normal" in other parts of the country, having grown up on the west coast and raising children in FCPS. Friends show pictures of decorating a class christmas tree, santa coming to the school christmas party, writing assignments where they write a letter to santa.

It's not normal here, OP. A good portion of students don't celebrate christmas. Please keep your family christmas traditions at home and let school festivities be things that are accessible to students of all backgrounds.
Anonymous
Post 12/08/2025 07:09     Subject: Elf in the shelf
A Christmas tree in a classroom?!
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2025 20:53     Subject: Elf in the shelf
Wow this is a really bad troll post.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2025 19:06     Subject: Elf in the shelf
Anonymous wrote:I really hate Elf on the Shelf. One of my kids' first grade teacher had one in their room. It annoyed me because I had hidden their existence from my kids...


It wouldn’t have been hidden very long, kids talk about it in class daily anyways.
-ES Teacher
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2025 17:42     Subject: Elf in the shelf
I really hate Elf on the Shelf. One of my kids' first grade teacher had one in their room. It annoyed me because I had hidden their existence from my kids...
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2025 13:49     Subject: Elf in the shelf
Ask the teacher.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2025 13:49     Subject: Elf in the shelf
Anonymous wrote:Don't do it here. Population does not all want Santa let alone Christmas.

Gotta run, time to load my 10 foot Menorah in car to take to classroom tomorrow.

See....?


They have not done that in many, many years. So, the answer is "no."
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2025 13:43     Subject: Elf in the shelf
Don't do it here. Population does not all want Santa let alone Christmas.

Gotta run, time to load my 10 foot Menorah in car to take to classroom tomorrow.

See....?
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2025 13:14     Subject: Elf in the shelf
Anonymous wrote:Are we allowed to donate an elf in the shelf or any Christmas tree at our kids classroom?
In Kentucky, we had all Christmas themed classrooms in December .


I would ask the teacher and I would also consider your school population.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2025 13:11     Subject: Elf in the shelf
Are we allowed to donate an elf in the shelf or any Christmas tree at our kids classroom?
In Kentucky, we had all Christmas themed classrooms in December .