Connecticut School Official Defends Ban on Religious Symbols in Class

Victoria Atencio
Blog #10

In this article I found on Foxnews.com an elementary school in Waterbury, Connecticut has banned all religious festivities and several decorations from classrooms now for five years straight. This actions was done on the basis according to the state law that mandates that a in a public school children cannot knowingly be excluded. The principle of this school who set this rule in motion when she first took the job five years ago defends her position stating that there is a clear distinction between school and church and in order to include every child the school instead celebrates winter. The Waterbury Public Schools Superintendent also defends the principle and reminds schools in the district that “holiday festivities may proceed but without religious overtones.” He explains in the article that this matter is a constitutional issue of separation of church and state and is therefore not up to individual discussion.

This form of control is especially difficult during the month of December as stated in the article because the debates of separation between church and state are brought forth. On one hand this issue can be seen as restricting personal values that include ones religion and questioning as to why Christmas exists if it were not for the religious aspect that came first and foremost. However on the other spectrum it is important for students not to feel left out just because they do not share the same traditions as other students. Since implementing this rule at the elementary the school has not received and complaints on the matter. I have to agree with this rule because although it may not seem fair to restrict a child from celebrating their beliefs about Christmas it is important to remember that not everyone shares the same beliefs. Celebrating the religious aspects of Christmas can be shared outside of the classroom whereas someone who does not share the same beliefs should not be forced to celebrate something they don’t believe in. This feature of control is not only seen in Connecticut but also here in town. At the preschool where my mom works they do not celebrate Halloween but rather celebrate with a Harvest Day.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,579506,00.html