A school in Nebraska is putting some of the most revered and universal Christmas symbols on the naughty list this holiday season, and not allowing these “dangerous” items into the classroom.
While Jesus and the nativity have long been on the no-fly list for many progressive public schools, the Manchester Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska took things a step further. Principal Jennifer Sinclair sent out a memo barring Christmas symbols ranging from Santa Claus to the candy cane, in all forms. A few of the banned items are listed below, in a list worthy of the Grinch himself (who is also banned). Jesus only fails to make the list because he was already banned long ago:
- Santa in all forms — from worksheets to images, crafts and more, the big man is out
- Characters from Christmas movies — say goodbye to Rudolph, the Grinch, Ralphie and Elf
- Elf on the shelf, and all elves dressed in Christmas garb
- The colors red and green when use together; hopefully the class will not be doing color theory, art or learning about stop lights
- Singing or playing Christmas music
- Reindeer
- Making or sharing or giving or wearing Christmas ornaments or other items
- Candy Canes – banned for being both Christmas themed and having a “J” shape, mentioning Jesus
Pretty much anything that could be used to create a Christmas craft, mention the holiday, have an association with the holiday or trigger a thought about the holiday should be removed at once, according to the principal. While this may conjure up the image of not only un-festive but totally bare and Spartan rooms for the kids, some of whom are as young as 5, to learn in, never fear. The memo also contains a list of acceptable replacement items for when you finish purging any images of Santa from your room:
- Polar bears or penguins
- Snow persons (without red or green decorations)
- Gingerbread persons (not wearing Christmas ornaments)
- Holidays around the world (but not Christmas)
- Other cultural practices (that are not Christmas)
- Olaf and characters from Frozen (as long as they are not celebrating Christmas)
- Yetis
- Mittens, hats and gloves (provided they do not have a Christmas theme)
Sadly, this is not a clever Christmas or holiday joke — Sinclair made that painfully clear in a statement.
“Please reflect on what you’ve already copied, prepped and posted,” Sinclair concluded. “I’m hopeful we can avoid the discomfort of me directly questioning something you’ve copied, posted and had your kids do. That makes me uncomfortable, and I know it doesn’t feel good.” She signed the memo, “The (Unintentional) Grinch who stole Christmas (from Manchester).”
The edict was directed only at Manchester school, under the control of first year principal Sinclair. After the removal of Christmas and anything that could remotely be related to the holiday caused controversy, the district dialed back the restrictions and Sinclair issued a grudging not-apology. No word on whether Hanukah, which is going on now, was also banned from the classroom, or included as a “cultural celebration”.
~ Liberty Planet
