Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a very simple issue that is as clear as day. No one cares if Jewish and Christian religious holidays are celebrated in public schools. That’s why no one objected to the Hannakuh celebration. But everyone gets riled up if an Islamic holiday is celebrated. Why is that? Answer is pretty simple. Majority of Palestinians are Muslims and Israel is currently conducting a genocide which the US government supports. So anything tangentially to Palestinians, whether it’s a Ramadan Iftar or any other event, needs to be fought. That’s why people are being arrested and thrown into immigration detention centers because of their pro Palestinian views. Now if those same people were criticizing the US no one would care. But because they are criticizing Israel, they need to be deported. Whole thing is pretty disgusting and as an Arab I no longer feel safe in Arlington or the US for that matter. But I’m not going to whine about it or create a big fuss. Why? Well when my fellow Arabs are actually experiencing a genocide, whining about not feeling safe feels silly. Second, I might lose my job because of a pro Israeli vindictive Arlingtonian or even get deported (since Trump is exploring how to deport naturalized citizens). I have told my children not to talk about what’s happening in the classroom and not to even mention it to their teachers or good friends. I am so disgusted by what’s happening and how supportive everyone seems to be of this genocide. Not once has anyone at work or in my neighborhood asked me how I’m doing although everyone knows our background. No one gives a shit.

Interesting that you think people’s Islamophobia is due to the current war. It goes way further back than that and gained tons of traction after 9/11. Nothing to do with perceived genocide.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a very simple issue that is as clear as day. No one cares if Jewish and Christian religious holidays are celebrated in public schools. That’s why no one objected to the Hannakuh celebration. But everyone gets riled up if an Islamic holiday is celebrated. Why is that? Answer is pretty simple. Majority of Palestinians are Muslims and Israel is currently conducting a genocide which the US government supports. So anything tangentially to Palestinians, whether it’s a Ramadan Iftar or any other event, needs to be fought. That’s why people are being arrested and thrown into immigration detention centers because of their pro Palestinian views. Now if those same people were criticizing the US no one would care. But because they are criticizing Israel, they need to be deported. Whole thing is pretty disgusting and as an Arab I no longer feel safe in Arlington or the US for that matter. But I’m not going to whine about it or create a big fuss. Why? Well when my fellow Arabs are actually experiencing a genocide, whining about not feeling safe feels silly. Second, I might lose my job because of a pro Israeli vindictive Arlingtonian or even get deported (since Trump is exploring how to deport naturalized citizens). I have told my children not to talk about what’s happening in the classroom and not to even mention it to their teachers or good friends. I am so disgusted by what’s happening and how supportive everyone seems to be of this genocide. Not once has anyone at work or in my neighborhood asked me how I’m doing although everyone knows our background. No one gives a shit.

Interesting that you think people’s Islamophobia is due to the current war. It goes way further back than that and gained tons of traction after 9/11. Nothing to do with perceived genocide.

Anonymous wrote:This is a very simple issue that is as clear as day. No one cares if Jewish and Christian religious holidays are celebrated in public schools. That’s why no one objected to the Hannakuh celebration. But everyone gets riled up if an Islamic holiday is celebrated. Why is that? Answer is pretty simple. Majority of Palestinians are Muslims and Israel is currently conducting a genocide which the US government supports. So anything tangentially to Palestinians, whether it’s a Ramadan Iftar or any other event, needs to be fought. That’s why people are being arrested and thrown into immigration detention centers because of their pro Palestinian views. Now if those same people were criticizing the US no one would care. But because they are criticizing Israel, they need to be deported. Whole thing is pretty disgusting and as an Arab I no longer feel safe in Arlington or the US for that matter. But I’m not going to whine about it or create a big fuss. Why? Well when my fellow Arabs are actually experiencing a genocide, whining about not feeling safe feels silly. Second, I might lose my job because of a pro Israeli vindictive Arlingtonian or even get deported (since Trump is exploring how to deport naturalized citizens). I have told my children not to talk about what’s happening in the classroom and not to even mention it to their teachers or good friends. I am so disgusted by what’s happening and how supportive everyone seems to be of this genocide. Not once has anyone at work or in my neighborhood asked me how I’m doing although everyone knows our background. No one gives a shit.

Anonymous wrote:This is a very simple issue that is as clear as day. No one cares if Jewish and Christian religious holidays are celebrated in public schools. That’s why no one objected to the Hannakuh celebration. But everyone gets riled up if an Islamic holiday is celebrated. Why is that? Answer is pretty simple. Majority of Palestinians are Muslims and Israel is currently conducting a genocide which the US government supports. So anything tangentially to Palestinians, whether it’s a Ramadan Iftar or any other event, needs to be fought. That’s why people are being arrested and thrown into immigration detention centers because of their pro Palestinian views. Now if those same people were criticizing the US no one would care. But because they are criticizing Israel, they need to be deported. Whole thing is pretty disgusting and as an Arab I no longer feel safe in Arlington or the US for that matter. But I’m not going to whine about it or create a big fuss. Why? Well when my fellow Arabs are actually experiencing a genocide, whining about not feeling safe feels silly. Second, I might lose my job because of a pro Israeli vindictive Arlingtonian or even get deported (since Trump is exploring how to deport naturalized citizens). I have told my children not to talk about what’s happening in the classroom and not to even mention it to their teachers or good friends. I am so disgusted by what’s happening and how supportive everyone seems to be of this genocide. Not once has anyone at work or in my neighborhood asked me how I’m doing although everyone knows our background. No one gives a shit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so sorry, PP. It’s really disgusting how so many people support genocide. I’m heartbroken for the organizers of this event who are some of the most kind, generous people I know. They do so much for our community and this is the response? (vs silence for the Hanukah event).

Absolutely disgusting.

Thank you. This is all anonymous but your post meant so much to me.

Anonymous wrote:This is a very simple issue that is as clear as day. No one cares if Jewish and Christian religious holidays are celebrated in public schools. That’s why no one objected to the Hannakuh celebration. But everyone gets riled up if an Islamic holiday is celebrated. Why is that? Answer is pretty simple. Majority of Palestinians are Muslims and Israel is currently conducting a genocide which the US government supports. So anything tangentially to Palestinians, whether it’s a Ramadan Iftar or any other event, needs to be fought. That’s why people are being arrested and thrown into immigration detention centers because of their pro Palestinian views. Now if those same people were criticizing the US no one would care. But because they are criticizing Israel, they need to be deported. Whole thing is pretty disgusting and as an Arab I no longer feel safe in Arlington or the US for that matter. But I’m not going to whine about it or create a big fuss. Why? Well when my fellow Arabs are actually experiencing a genocide, whining about not feeling safe feels silly. Second, I might lose my job because of a pro Israeli vindictive Arlingtonian or even get deported (since Trump is exploring how to deport naturalized citizens). I have told my children not to talk about what’s happening in the classroom and not to even mention it to their teachers or good friends. I am so disgusted by what’s happening and how supportive everyone seems to be of this genocide. Not once has anyone at work or in my neighborhood asked me how I’m doing although everyone knows our background. No one gives a shit.

Anonymous wrote:I am so sorry, PP. It’s really disgusting how so many people support genocide. I’m heartbroken for the organizers of this event who are some of the most kind, generous people I know. They do so much for our community and this is the response? (vs silence for the Hanukah event).

Absolutely disgusting.

Anonymous wrote:This is a very simple issue that is as clear as day. No one cares if Jewish and Christian religious holidays are celebrated in public schools. That’s why no one objected to the Hannakuh celebration. But everyone gets riled up if an Islamic holiday is celebrated. Why is that? Answer is pretty simple. Majority of Palestinians are Muslims and Israel is currently conducting a genocide which the US government supports. So anything tangentially to Palestinians, whether it’s a Ramadan Iftar or any other event, needs to be fought. That’s why people are being arrested and thrown into immigration detention centers because of their pro Palestinian views. Now if those same people were criticizing the US no one would care. But because they are criticizing Israel, they need to be deported. Whole thing is pretty disgusting and as an Arab I no longer feel safe in Arlington or the US for that matter. But I’m not going to whine about it or create a big fuss. Why? Well when my fellow Arabs are actually experiencing a genocide, whining about not feeling safe feels silly. Second, I might lose my job because of a pro Israeli vindictive Arlingtonian or even get deported (since Trump is exploring how to deport naturalized citizens). I have told my children not to talk about what’s happening in the classroom and not to even mention it to their teachers or good friends. I am so disgusted by what’s happening and how supportive everyone seems to be of this genocide. Not once has anyone at work or in my neighborhood asked me how I’m doing although everyone knows our background. No one gives a shit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take it up through the courts. Get a ruling that allows this. School would not have canceled the event if there was no legal concern.

There is no “legal” concern. WTF?

https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/laws-preschool-grade-12-education/preschool-grade-12-policy-documents/prayer-and-religious-expression-public-schools-faq

GTFO

lol did you even read your own link (spoiler no you didn't)

Public schools may not celebrate or observe holidays as religious events, nor may schools promote or disparage such celebration or observance by students. Students may observe or otherwise recognize religious holidays to the same extent that they may engage in comparable nonreligious activities.

You need to work on your reading comprehension. These events are being organized by individuals, not the school. They aren't school events.

I did not realize that the group had rented space at the school and the school canceled the contract. Generally speaking that should not be allowed and you would probably have a strong case against the school. Hopefully they returned the rental fee immediately.

No outside group rented space for this event.

The school organized and promoted the event. That’s why it was canceled.

LIES.

The school did not organize or promote the event. Neither did they for the Chanukah or Christmas events.

These events were organized by individuals, teachers or families. The events are on the calendar and get communicated out just like anything else hosted at the school.

It was on the website and the contact information was an APSVA email. Do you see how that could be viewed as a school sponsored event?

And yet, it’s not. You would know this if you were part of the community.

MYOB.

Why would the school put it on their website home page if it was not their event? That IS promoting it.
I don't live in Arlington, I just saw this thread when it was first posted, and looked at the school website and saw it.

If you don't live in Arlington, how exactly does this concern you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d contact the office of DEI because they aren’t offering Seders or Easter dinners to my knowledge. I sometimes get the feeling that we tiptoe around Muslims in APS

. Not true. They hosted a Seder last year too.

Ok, that’s shouldn’t be allowed either

I really really wish we'd just give the religious right their vouchers and kick them out of public school once and for all. How celebrating a community's religious and cultural differences is upsetting is beyond me. I'm an atheist. And an attorney. The Iftar dinner in and of itself is not at all legally or ethically objectionable. It's after hours. It's not being funded by the school. It's parent and teacher volunteers.

And what the h&ll is an Easter celebration? Like a ham or something? Don't you all do that on the WHOLE FORKING WEEK PLUS A MONDAY YOU GET OFF IN APS EVERY YEAR????? I'm on the PTA, if you want a ham dinner, please let us know. I'll bring one myself. Just for you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d contact the office of DEI because they aren’t offering Seders or Easter dinners to my knowledge. I sometimes get the feeling that we tiptoe around Muslims in APS

DHMS hosted a Passover Seder last year.

Great! My school only explicitly acknowledges Muslim holidays

Anonymous wrote:I just can't see caring about a random event held at a school at a school my kid doesn't go to in a district we don't live in. Where DO you live, PP?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take it up through the courts. Get a ruling that allows this. School would not have canceled the event if there was no legal concern.

There is no “legal” concern. WTF?

https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/laws-preschool-grade-12-education/preschool-grade-12-policy-documents/prayer-and-religious-expression-public-schools-faq

GTFO

lol did you even read your own link (spoiler no you didn't)

Public schools may not celebrate or observe holidays as religious events, nor may schools promote or disparage such celebration or observance by students. Students may observe or otherwise recognize religious holidays to the same extent that they may engage in comparable nonreligious activities.

You need to work on your reading comprehension. These events are being organized by individuals, not the school. They aren't school events.

I did not realize that the group had rented space at the school and the school canceled the contract. Generally speaking that should not be allowed and you would probably have a strong case against the school. Hopefully they returned the rental fee immediately.

No outside group rented space for this event.

The school organized and promoted the event. That’s why it was canceled.

LIES.

The school did not organize or promote the event. Neither did they for the Chanukah or Christmas events.

These events were organized by individuals, teachers or families. The events are on the calendar and get communicated out just like anything else hosted at the school.

It was on the website and the contact information was an APSVA email. Do you see how that could be viewed as a school sponsored event?

And yet, it’s not. You would know this if you were part of the community.

MYOB.

This is the business of anyone who lives in Arlington and cares how their tax dollars are being spent.
This is the business of any American citizen who cares about separation of church and state.
These questions are all perfectly legitimate and should be expected when government resources get used. The answers may be innocuous, but the organizers have to be prepared to answer them.