Utah Teachers Told Not To Mention Christmas
A Granite District elementary school teacher says he's been told he can't even mention the word Christmas in class. He says it's political correctness gone too far.
(Nov 19, 2004) --
SALT LAKE CITY-(KSL News) -- A Granite School District teacher says teachers have been told they cannot use the word Christmas at all in school.
Elementary school teacher David West says they got a memo this week that implies the district is afraid of lawsuits over the matter.
West says,"That's very offensive...that we are dictated by other people that are outside of our area, that don't know our culture and customs."
West says they can't even wish their students a Merry Christmas because it all involves the "C word."
State education officials say that's just not the case, and today they're defending the policy about Christmas in the classroom. Carol Leer with the State Office of Education says, "No one's being told not to say Merry Christams. They're being told to focus on the curriculum, be sensitive to the various and diverse kinds of students we have in Utah."
Below is the text of a Memo given to teachers.
From: District Administrators on behalf of martin bates Sent: Wed 11/17/2004
Subject: Holiday Observances and School
Hi,
we're moving into the holiday season, just a few reminders.
Government (that means each of us, including teachers, aides, sweepers, etc.) can't endorse religion, non-religion, or a particular religion or faith over another or do things that would give an intelligent, uninformed observer the impression of an endorsement.
That having been said, it is wholly appropriate to teach the curriculum. In our state (see the attached State Board of Education Rule - the law in this area for our purposes) it is appropriate to have a
"study, performance, or display which includes examination of or presentations about religion, religious thought or expression, or the influence thereof in music, art, literature, law, politics, history, or any other portion of the curriculum . . . so long as it is designed to achieve permissible educational objectives and is presented within the context of the approved curriculum."
In fact,
"No aspect of cultural heritage, political or moral theory, or societal value may be either included or excluded from consideration in the public schools primarily because it explicitly or implicitly contains theistic, agnostic, or atheistic asumptions."
Bottom line, don't do things that give the impression of religious endorsement, coercion or otherwise, including what could be perceived as an overemphasis between religions or on religion at all. Activities may be appropriate within the context of the core curriculum that is, activities in line with the objectives of the curriculum may be undertaken. Talking about religion is permitted (within the context of the curriculum) but celebrating/observing a religous holiday would not be permitted,
So, can we have a Christmas party? No. Can we have a Christmas/Kwanzaa/Hannukah party? Getting better but still no. Can we have a holiday party (or concert, assembly)? Yes - so long as we can articulate the pedagogical objectives from the curriculum that provide the basis of the activity and the activity doesn't promote or denigrate any particular religion or religion in general.
Happy Holidays!
Martin
rules.utah.gov
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