Santa allowed on conditions
EAST SYRACUSE-MINOA (WSYR-TV) Santa is allowed back in the classroom in the East-Syracuse Minoa school district.
Earlier this month, parents were sent home a letter with their kids saying that programs involving a singular tradition may not take place during regular school hours. At that time, the district was referring to traditions like Santa Claus visiting kids in their classrooms.
The district enacted the policy on the grounds that it didn’t want to force students into participating in holiday events, especially if he or she was had different beliefs. Holiday events could then only be held outside of normal school hours where parents could choose whether they wanted their child to participate.
But now, one parent, Patti Puma, says the district has clarified its policy. She says the district told her that Santa is allowed to visit during school hours only if the teacher determines that he is welcomed by the entire class.
Puma was planning to deliver petitions to the East Syracuse-Minoa School Board asking for Santa to be allowed back in school. She says since the school clarified its policy and resolved the issue, she doesn’t plan on delivering the petitions.
East Syracuse (WSYR-TV)-One school district isn't allowing Santa Claus into any of its classrooms this year.
The move has some parents in the East Syracuse Minoa School District protesting the decision, which they say isn't fair to the kids.
A letter from the school district said that programs that involve a singular tradition may not take place during regular school hours. They were referring to traditions like Santa Claus visiting kids in their classrooms.
Christmas is a big deal to Patti Puma and her family, so she doesn't want this year to be a Santa-less Christmas for anyone else. She's starting a petition to let the school board know it's okay to make Christmas and other holiday traditions a part of the classroom.
“We are going to take them to the school board to say to them maybe there is one family who doesn't want it, but there are a whole lot more that do and that there really is no legal precedent to take Santa Claus out of the school or to celebrate other traditions,” Puma said.
Puma worries that because the letter was so vague it opens up the possibility students won't be able to celebrate other traditions.
The district isn't completely prohibiting holiday celebrations. The PTO is organizing evenings with Santa. The district says those are okay because they are voluntary and outside normal school hours.
Puma and other parents plan on delivering the petitions to the school board at their next on December 14th.
