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In the name of inclusivity, a Nebraska elementary school principal banned Santa Clause from the classroom. In fact, doing her best Ebenezer Scrooge impersonation, she went so far as to ban Christmas altogether.In a directive to teachers, Manchester Elementary School Principal Jennifer Sinclair effectively censored all Christmas holiday symbols, according to Liberty Counsel.“[W]e are not to be doing any Christmas or holiday-specific themed activities with students. Santa and Christmas items are not to be on activities or copies,†Sinclair instructed, saying because of varying religious beliefs, they must be “inclusive.â€Not that the “Unintentional Grinch,†as she referred to herself, was going to get away with stealing Christmas, thanks to Liberty Counsel, a public policy group dedicated to religious liberty issues.Principal Dr. Jen Sinclair – Elkhorn Public SchoolsMore on that in a moment, but first let’s explore what Sinclair banned.Christmas trees were banned in the classroom, as was playing Christmas music and singing Christmas Carols. Showing Christmas movies was out and making Christmas ornaments as a gift was not allowed.Even Elf on the Shelf didn’t make the cut, nor did Rudolph — yes, she nixed reindeer.The colors red and green were not allowed, and candy canes were banned — Liberty Counsel explained, “Historically, the shape is a ‘J’ for Jesus. The red is for the blood of Christ, and the white is a symbol of his resurrection.â€Sinclair’s “acceptable†list included “snowmen, snow women, snow people†and even “snowflakes†— not the liberal variety.Gingerbread people also made the cut, as did polar bears, penguins, and Yetis and Olaf, the snowman from the movie “Frozen.â€Oh, and hot chocolate was allowed, along with “scarves, boots, earmuffs, and hats†— it is Nebraska after all.Liberty Counsel intervened, sending a letter to Elkhorn Public Schools warning them that the Christmas ban was unconstitutional.
Perchal also said the district is receiving a "high volume" of phone calls from people with "concerns." She said the calls do not rise to the level of hate calls or threats and police have not been called.However, in an email to parents the district said, "As an added safety measure and in an act of extreme precaution, Officer Miller will be present at the school throughout the coming days."
The principal of Manchester Elementary in Elkhorn is on administrative leave after sending a directive to staff to ban certain religious Christmas decorations in the classrooms.District spokesperson Kara Perchal said Jennifer Sinclair is a new principal and did not consult with administrators about school policy concerning the handling of religious holiday themes.https://www.ketv.com/article/elkhorn-elementary-principal-put-on-leave-for-banning-santa-candy-canes-and-other-christmas-decorations/25424233
Good. Hopefully the next step is firing and a negative letter of reference to any future employers.
Wow. A stern letter in her permanent file. Don't you think you are taking this a little too far?
Fell a long way since my principle would dress as Santa and visit each classroom on the last day of school before vacation.
I'm sure there are lots of schools that would consider this story a Resume Enhancer. There's a bright future for her in Portlandia or San Francisco.
