Parents -- How would you like your kids to go to school....

[streetsoldier]

IMHO, this guy is a priggish, PC-to-the-max authoritarian, with a definite anal-retentive neurosis for good measure.

[blizzard]

Couldn't have said it better myself streetsoldier

[CaptinCrunch]

...go to school under THESE conditions?

Today... the Unified School District 501 (Topeka) Superintendent Tony Sawyer said today that next Tuesday, the last say before break, the elementery school kids cannot have the Christmas parties, no movies, no candy, no fun. He states "This hour and a half can be used to learn to read a book, or teach the kids something else."

When I went to school... these were fun times. Now this superintendent from New York City changes it all. Next year, the high school study hall may be taken away because of "the un-usefullness" of this time. Give me a break!

What does everyone else think about this?

-David

I think it takes the fun out of the holidays for the kids...i remember we had christmas parties at my elementary school every year...(but were talking about late 1980s and very early 1990s here...when Xmas and other holiday parties were STILL acceptable in our now highly descriminatory world). In HS I wasn/t a model student by any means...and rather backwards at that...(i would want to come to school for math and physics but desire to skip study hall...as well as much the rest of the day...lol).

it will be awhile before i have to deal with such issues directly again (as my daughter is only 4 months old)...however...im (and im sure many others will agree with me)...im glad i graduated when i did...because i would not like to be a teen growing up in todays world...with all of its Discriminatory practices...and the funny (sick) thing about it is that we cater so much to foreigners and their ideals that we push our traditions as americans to to the back burner in order to be Accommodating to them...at our own expense.

Its time to stand up for our rights and our traditions AS AMERICANS which have been practiced in this country since it was founded in 1776...dont push christmas out of the schools...because it might be offensive to others. While yes our diversity is our strength...we cannot push our traditional american values aside to appease others all the time...equal is fair...and fair is equal...with special emphasis on EQUAL. Don/t denounce christmas...while you push other foreign religious holidays on everyone...that folks IS unfair and IS Discriminatory.

Such a case is taking place in montgomery county PA...where a nativity scene was removed from a display...while other displays portraying Kwanzaa and honika (hope i got the spelling on that one right...lol) we left as is. Again...this is NOT fair...and NOT equal.

Dont get me wrong here --- I am a roman catholic (and by no means fanatical) though it does disturb me when the traditions which i was brought up with are dennounced...while other religious practicies are pushed on everyone.

Im not passing judgement on anyone or any group...just stating an opinion of mine. I have no problem with every group being represented equally and fiarly during the holidays...which IMO is the right thing to do but as i/ve said...when one group is descriminated against (even if it was not Catholicism)...i then DO have a problem with the individual(s) or organizations responsible for those actions.

RIGHT ON!!!, RNS

[David]

Thanks for replying everyone... keep the debate going if you want.

[Lindaloo]

My kids look forward to the Christmas party, especially the oldest. They exchange gifts and have a good time. It brings the children and teachers closer together in the spirit of the season.

I am in agreement with Chad though about the article. The Superintendant is not trying to take the meaning of Christmas from the children by not letting them have parties. One thing I can say though, glad he is not the Super here. lol.

[weatherluvr]

Yes, school is a place for learning. But I think teachers recognize that the last day before a long vacation, especially Christmas vacation, is a time when kids' minds are not focused on schoolwork. I know that was true when I was going to school. So, why not let them have a party?

[stormy]

ok for what its worth, here is my take. i dont think anything is wrong with a school party, the kids look forward to all the different parties. but i also believe that school is a place to learn. as most know i am a homeschool mom and no we do not have a christmas party here at the house, sometimes we do with our group. my oldest use to love the parties at school and i was usually a room mother. it was alot of fun. but i would have loved to just stay at home that day than get up and then they would only have a half day. school is a place to learn but we also learn by interacting with others. maybe they want the kids to learn on how to throw a party. lol o and weatherluv very well said

[chadtm80]

Never said they shouldnt be allowed to have a party.. Just said that it dosent realy upset me that they cant.. When a super dosent make Education the number one priority, or cust funding or something along those lines.. Then I will get angry