Christmas, being politically correct and where are we going?

[wendy46001]

Not everyone knows the story of Christmas. When they teach anything Christmas at school it is never the story of Christmas. It is simply the way people celebrate. However, when they learn about other Holidays they learn the religious aspect of it.

So its not that they don’t teach about Christmas
its that they are teaching Christmas incorrectly?

 

[luvmy3]

In an earlier post, did you not stress parental responsibility? If your kids are not being told enough about Christmas, teach them about it. If you already have, then there is no problem. The schools shouldn't be teaching kids stuff that they already know, after all.

Why on earth would you expect the school to educate your children about your on religious traditions?

Maybe the school assumed that since 70% (the number everyone is throwing around) of the children already knew about it that they didn't need to cover Xmas.

Happy Holidays everyone!

I also said that Christmas is secular in my home, the only thing we celebrate that day is Santa

You both seem to be missing the point, Christmas is being excluded from the Holiday lessons while Hannukkah and Kwanzaa are not. I could care less if my kids learn about any of it but if they are going to be taught the story and origins of the other religious holidays, they should also be taught about Christmas.

 

[luvsJack]

But why should the child be singled out to go to the library or the office? Is the need to exchange a book so important to you that you would want another child to be singled out and made to feel uncomfortable? My child gets plenty of gifts and celebration of the holidays, that the lack of a book exchange in not going to make one bit of difference in his life. But if he was singled out to go to the office while everyone else had a party to celebrate something he wasn't included in - that would be pretty traumatic.

My sister used to teach school and had several children in her class that could not be around anything that could be even remotely referring to magic, could not take part in the Christmas, Valentines, Halloween, or any holiday except Easter (and then it couldn't be anything to do with the Easter bunny).

So should her entire class have sacrificed every fun thing they did because of these children??

She let the parents know when she was doing certain activities and they could either pick them up early, keep them home or they were able to offer a solution (like allowing their child to go to the library or sit in the hallway or something that was acceptable)




I don't think any holiday should be left out, but I do think ALL holiday, even Christmas, should be included in any celebration, party, activity, etc. The winter holidays are a wonderful opportunity to teach other customs, others traditions, etc. Our school has a "holidays around the world" unit that is taught each December in most of the grades. The learn how Christmas is celebrated around the world (along with other customs, foods and traditions of each country) and they learn all about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and any other holiday celebrated during this time. They make all kinds of crafts from each country and/or celebration.

We used to do the same thing with our preschool kids. The kids loved learning about customs and traditions other than their own. I just don't see how including every celebration can be un-pc to anyone.

 

[sbell111]

You both seem to be missing the point, Christmas is being excluded from the Holiday lessons while Hannukkah and Kwanzaa are not. I could care less if my kids learn about any of it but if they are going to be taught the story and origins of the other religious holidays, they should also be taught about Christmas.

Actually, you missed our point. We both addressed this in our posts.

 

[lizzyb]

I'm putting my flame suit on:

I don't get this nonsense about not being able to say Merry Christmas. Personally, I believe that December is a very special, spiritual month for various religions and each group of people should be allowed to celebrate their respective holiday. Saying "Merry Christmas" to a Jewish person in the store isn't going to kill them, just how saying "Happy Hanuka" won't kill a Christian person. AND if it does offend them, then they need to simply get over it and stop over reacting. How can you find offense in well wishes, even if they aren't from someone who practices your specific holiday??

I'm all 100% postive that people don't wish you happiness for the WRONG holiday out of spite or out of blindness to other faiths.

I understand why schools (I'm a 3rd grade teacher) don't always celebrate holidays- gets the kids too excited, some kids might feel left out if they don't celebrate the holiday being celebrated, etc. But I think it's important to teach our children about all types of holidays and religions as to promote tolerance, acceptance and education.

I agree. As a christian me saying "merry christmas" shouldn't be taken as an insult just as I would not be offended by receiving a "happy hannukkah'

 

[OceanAnnie]

Why on earth would you expect the school to educate your children about your on religious traditions?

Maybe the school assumed that since 70% (the number everyone is throwing around) of the children already knew about it that they didn't need to cover Xmas.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Well, if it's important for the curriculum to include religions at all, it should be equal not exclusive. If it's important for my kids to learn about other cultures, why wouldn't it be equally important for other kids to do the same? Shouldn't it all be good?

As I stated, I'm all for students learning about different cultures, just not at the exclusion of Christmas.

 

[luvmy3]

Actually, you missed our point. We both addressed this in our posts.

Not in the ones I quoted that were directed specifically to me.

 

[jrmasm]

I also said that Christmas is secular in my home, the only thing we celebrate that day is Santa

You both seem to be missing the point, Christmas is being excluded from the Holiday lessons while Hannukkah and Kwanzaa are not. I could care less if my kids learn about any of it but if they are going to be taught the story and origins of the other religious holidays, they should also be taught about Christmas.

No I didn't miss the point. I disagree. Everyone wants to throw around numbers about how the US is a mostly christian country so it's hardly a stretch to assume that children know about Xmas and therefore don't need to be taught. And since Xmas is such a huge holiday, I would also assume that non christian children probably know more about Xmas than the other way around. I mean let's be honest, Xmas is pretty 'in your face'.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

So its not that they don’t teach about Christmas
its that they are teaching Christmas incorrectly?

Not really. They teach that people celebrate Christmas but they don't teach why they celebrate Christmas. My children however were taught all about the Festival of Lights and the story of Hannukah etc. and the story of Kwanza.

 

[dejr_8]

If you really want the answer to that question, go to Google. Let's not make this thread into a discussion of Constitutional law and Supreme Court rulings.
Why?

Just because the Supreme Court rules a certain way doesn't mean it is the RIGHT ruling. Unfortunately it does make it the Law of the Land.

 

[Shoshana]

I also said that Christmas is secular in my home, the only thing we celebrate that day is Santa

You both seem to be missing the point, Christmas is being excluded from the Holiday lessons while Hannukkah and Kwanzaa are not. I could care less if my kids learn about any of it but if they are going to be taught the story and origins of the other religious holidays, they should also be taught about Christmas.

First of all, it's clear from the posts on this thread that there is HUGE diversity in how public schools handle the various holidays during this season.

The Original Post here -- a 5-yr-old boy tells his mom who calls her best friend who tells her husband who posts here that a Jewish child's family triggered the cancelling of a book exchange. What ever happened to critical thinking? Hearsay is notoriously risky, yet all sorts of assumptions are being made based on this post.

For the posters who have alleged that their schools are teaching "religious aspects" of Hanukkah and not Christmas. Try this -- ask you children what Hanukkah means, why it's celebrated, and then ask them the same about Christmas. I'll bet that, for the MAJORITY of kids in the US, their education about Christmas -- religious and secular, is FAR, FAR superior to their knowledge of Hanukkah. Surely you wouldn't expect any thing else?

I don't hear the Jewish folks here screaming about their kids being innundated with Merry Christmas sentiment and teachings in the schools. I hear (some) Christian folks complaining that their kids are not receiving enough public school education about Christmas -- that things aren't fair, that we're too politically correct, that Happy Holidays is an insult.

It's MY responsibility as a minority in this Christian dominant culture (closer to 80% than 70%) to teach my child the traditions of Judaism. I wouldn't think for a second to leave it in the hands of the school, or to measure the emphasis placed on Hanukkah versus other traditions, "unfair, unfair" and "PC, PC" if a school (gasp) had a greater emphasis on Christmas than Hanukkah. Too bad so many people are screaming "unfair, unfair" and "PC, PC"

Clearly, I need to stick to the Disney oriented threads as I find the many of the sentiments expressed here to be simply appalling. :

 

[Acklander]

How is celebrating Christmas in schools establishing a State Religion?

It is true that in a State funded school all religious holidays should be taught (i.e. SOCIAL studies) and experienced.

I agree that it could be taught in social studies. I also agree with offering classes at the high school level along the lines of religious history - an elective class, not a required class - what I don't agree with is having EVERY child in the class participate in celebrating Christmas by purchasing a book for an exchange and if their religion didn't agree with participating in this that they had to go sit in the office.
I've never had issues with my child learning. I don't care if they learn about other religions, sex education, politics, social responsibilities, etc.... I encourage my children to be open to learning and to read, read, read. BUT I am also aware that other parents may not feel the same way as I do about religion, sex, drugs, relationships etc... I also am aware that their are some parents who would like to shield their children from beliefs that are not of their own, and that's their right. I don't think my needs to have my child understand all religions, be fully aware of sex, birth control, abortion rights, and politics should override the rights of the parent that would like to shield their child from these issues. I can discuss these things with my child at home. I can not un-discuss these issues with the families that would prefer only their way be taught.

 

[luvmy3]

No I didn't miss the point. I disagree. Everyone wants to throw around numbers about how the US is a mostly christian country so it's hardly a stretch to assume that children know about Xmas and therefore don't need to be taught. And since Xmas is such a huge holiday, I would also assume that non christian children probably know more about Xmas than the other way around. I mean let's be honest, Xmas is pretty 'in your face'.

Okay so using your logic, any class that has 70% (for the sake of #'s) of the students knowing something, or because something is well known outside of the education system, they can just skip those lessons?
Gotcha.
You aren't a teacher are you

 

[OceanAnnie]

No I didn't miss the point. I disagree. Everyone wants to throw around numbers about how the US is a mostly christian country so it's hardly a stretch to assume that children know about Xmas and therefore don't need to be taught. And since Xmas is such a huge holiday, I would also assume that non christian children probably know more about Xmas than the other way around. I mean let's be honest, Xmas is pretty 'in your face'.

I respectfully disagree. Now the marketing for stores in the name of Christmas, that's another matter. There is a whole lot more to Christmas than any of that.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

No I didn't miss the point. I disagree. Everyone wants to throw around numbers about how the US is a mostly christian country so it's hardly a stretch to assume that children know about Xmas and therefore don't need to be taught. And since Xmas is such a huge holiday, I would also assume that non christian children probably know more about Xmas than the other way around. I mean let's be honest, Xmas is pretty 'in your face'.

Well just because most kids are Christian that doesn't mean they can't teach it as well. What about the kids who aren't? Why shouldn't they get to learn about it as well? We learn about other holidays. There are kids in every class that know things (not holiday related) and yet we still teach those lessons. I don't think they should exclude or gloss over anything. Teach it all or teach none of it.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Well just because most kids are Christian that doesn't mean they can't teach it as well. What about the kids who aren't? Why shouldn't they get to learn about it as well? We learn about other holidays. There are kids in every class that know things (not holiday related) and yet we still teach those lessons. I don't think they should exclude or gloss over anything. Teach it all or teach none of it.

Yes.

 

[sbell111]

Not in the ones I quoted that were directed specifically to me.

Yes. The very posts that you quoted dealt with that issue.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

First of all, it's clear from the posts on this thread that there is HUGE diversity in how public schools handle the various holidays during this season.

The Original Post here -- a 5-yr-old boy tells his mom who calls her best friend who tells her husband who posts here that a Jewish child's family triggered the cancelling of a book exchange. What ever happened to critical thinking? Hearsay is notoriously risky, yet all sorts of assumptions are being made based on this post.

For the posters who have alleged that their schools are teaching "religious aspects" of Hanukkah and not Christmas. Try this -- ask you children what Hanukkah means, why it's celebrated, and then ask them the same about Christmas. I'll bet that, for the MAJORITY of kids in the US, their education about Christmas -- religious and secular, is FAR, FAR superior to their knowledge of Hanukkah. Surely you wouldn't expect any thing else?

I don't hear the Jewish folks here screaming about their kids being innundated with Merry Christmas sentiment and teachings in the schools. I hear (some) Christian folks complaining that their kids are not receiving enough public school education about Christmas -- that things aren't fair, that we're too politically correct, that Happy Holidays is an insult.

It's MY responsibility as a minority in this Christian dominant culture (closer to 80% than 70%) to teach my child the traditions of Judaism. I wouldn't think for a second to leave it in the hands of the school, or to measure the emphasis placed on Hanukkah versus other traditions, "unfair, unfair" and "PC, PC" if a school (gasp) had a greater emphasis on Christmas than Hanukkah. Too bad so many people are screaming "unfair, unfair" and "PC, PC"

Clearly, I need to stick to the Disney oriented threads as I find the many of the sentiments expressed here to be simply appalling. :

What any of us teach our kids at home is irrelevant. The point is that if my kids have to learn the religious aspects of a religion at school it should not exclude any religion. I can tell you that my kids know a lot about Hannukah (we are not Jewish so they didn't learn it here) and they also know about Kwanza.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Okay so using your logic, any class that has 70% (for the sake of #'s) of the students knowing something, or because something is well known outside of the education system, they can just skip those lessons?
Gotcha.
You aren't a teacher are you

You said this much better than I was able to.

 

[luvmy3]

First of all, it's clear from the posts on this thread that there is HUGE diversity in how public schools handle the various holidays during this season.

The Original Post here -- a 5-yr-old boy tells his mom who calls her best friend who tells her husband who posts here that a Jewish child's family triggered the cancelling of a book exchange. What ever happened to critical thinking? Hearsay is notoriously risky, yet all sorts of assumptions are being made based on this post.

For the posters who have alleged that their schools are teaching "religious aspects" of Hanukkah and not Christmas. Try this -- ask you children what Hanukkah means, why it's celebrated, and then ask them the same about Christmas. I'll bet that, for the MAJORITY of kids in the US, their education about Christmas -- religious and secular, is FAR, FAR superior to their knowledge of Hanukkah. Surely you wouldn't expect any thing else?

I don't hear the Jewish folks here screaming about their kids being innundated with Merry Christmas sentiment and teachings in the schools. I hear (some) Christian folks complaining that their kids are not receiving enough public school education about Christmas -- that things aren't fair, that we're too politically correct, that Happy Holidays is an insult.

It's MY responsibility as a minority in this Christian dominant culture (closer to 80% than 70%) to teach my child the traditions of Judaism. I wouldn't think for a second to leave it in the hands of the school, or to measure the emphasis placed on Hanukkah versus other traditions, "unfair, unfair" and "PC, PC" if a school (gasp) had a greater emphasis on Christmas than Hanukkah. Too bad so many people are screaming "unfair, unfair" and "PC, PC"

Clearly, I need to stick to the Disney oriented threads as I find the many of the sentiments expressed here to be simply appalling. :

Actually whats really appauling is this. I am told that I am NOT ALLOWED to bring a craft that represents anything to do with Christmas, and I'm NOT ALLOWED to bring in any coloring sheets other than snowmen and snowflakes all the while its perfectly acceptable for my children are bringing home worksheets where they colored the menorah, and crossword puzzles about the story of Hanukkah, and little handmade books about Kwanza.
So yes I do have a big problem with that. If a school is going to take daily lesson time to teach the class about the origin of the December religious holidays, NONE should be excluded, period. It really has nothing to do with fairness, its about education.