First Jell-O, now Santa :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State
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So long, Halloween parade. Farewell, Santa's gift shop.
The holiday traditions are facing elimination in some Oak Lawn schools this year after complaints that the activities are offensive, particularly to Muslim students.
Parents expect that the announcement is going to add to the tension that has been building since officials agreed earlier this month to change the lunch menu to exclude items containing pork to accommodate Muslim students. News that Jell-O was struck from the menu caused such a stir that officials have agreed to bring it back. Gelatin is often made with tissue or bones of pigs or other animals.
That controversy now appears to have been been dwarfed by the holiday debate, which became so acrimonious Wednesday that police were called to Columbus Manor School to intervene in a shouting match among parents.
"It's difficult when you change the school's culture," said Columbus Manor Principal Sandy Robertson.
Following the example of Lieb Elementary School, Columbus Manor School will exchange the annual Halloween parade for a fall festival next month. The holiday gift bazaars at both schools also will remain, but they'll likely be moved to the PTA-sponsored after-school winter festival. And Santa's annual visit probably will be on a Saturday.
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2 Comments:
" "It's difficult when you change the school's culture," said Columbus Manor Principal Sandy Robertson. "
Well Sandy, it is also difficult when you have to change the school's administration. If I lived in your school district, you'd be one week away from going into training on how to put together a Happy Meal.
I'm an American Christian living in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt is 85 percent Muslim; 15 percent Christian. Right now we are in the month of Ramadan. It's a wonderful, festive time here, and we celebrate right along with our Muslim friends. At Christmas time, our Muslim friends share greetings with us. No one complains or gets their feelings hurt. Christmas is an official government holiday here in Islamic Egypt. Since when did Egypt become a more accepting, pluralistic society than America? Utter foolishness like this fiasco at Columbus Manor reminds me that the "land of the free" is more history than reality these days.
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