Ok the parents started calling today

[proud2BlibKansan]

They finally figured out we are not having Xmas parties this week and they are PISSED. Last week, the district's legal dept made us take our Xmas trees down. So no way were we going to try to plan to have parties. We decided to have a movie day so the kids are going to spend a half a day watching a movie on the last day before the holiday. We still haven't picked out the movie; Christmas themes seem dangerous.

It is all so silly. The non holiday religious types have bombarded the school district with objections to Xmas and Halloween so we can't even mention those days anymore. Now the parents who do celebrate Xmas are pissed. So I guess if they bombard the legal dept we will have a Santa extravaganza next year. Which will piss off the Jehovas.

And so it goes.

It seems to me that if we just stick to teaching, we might be able to not offend anyone.

[alarimer]

1. I guess it is better not to do anything

That way everyone is offended equally. I don't recall this much of a firestorm over the holidays when I was a kid but that was eons ago, it seems. Everyone is just too sensitive anymore. I understand about including all religions (or nonreligions) but at some point it gets ridiculous.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. I think the district made the right choice

it just was a tough day explaining it to the parents who called.

[XemaSab]

6. I went to parochial school

and we acknowledged that there were other holidays out there, like Hanukkah and I think the school's celebrating Kwanzaa now too.

[evlbstrd]

15. When I was a Catholic,

there were no other religions. NONE! Now, genuflect, Jimmy!

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. I still can't go in to a Catholic church

without wanting to put a kleenex on my head.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

19. ...

:rofl:

[evlbstrd]

21. Before or after the holy water?

Cause after would make a mess.
And I can't go in because the holy water boils.

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. It has that same effect on me

:rofl:

[evlbstrd]

25. It made a real mess of my niece's wedding.

My whole family showed up. That's a lot of bstrds.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. Same here

[trof]

2. Oh god. O'Reilly's right?

There's a war on Christmas?
Say it ain't so.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. This is a completely different situation, IMO

We are a public school. We have to accomodate a diversity of beliefs and customs. And we have to do that without offending anyone. We operate with public funding.

The stores however are private enterprises. They can do whatever they want. Bill seems more intent on attacking them than on attacking schools. So he is definitely going after the wrong target.

But even if he did focus on schools, he wouldn't get very far. There is this thing called the constitution. We have to abide by it.

[evlbstrd]

3. Awww!

Not even cookies? They don't have to be shapes!

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. I think there will be treats on movie day

but no child will be forced to eat them.

[evlbstrd]

12. You'd leave them behind?

What movie? When? I'm free. Well, cheap anyway.

[proud2BlibKansan]

22. I don't know what movie yet

That is still an area of controversy. I can only say it will most likely be rated G.

And sure, come by. I will be on movie patrol all afternoon, so I can get you in free. :)

[evlbstrd]

24. Wasn't "Woodstock" rated G?

Maybe "Easy Rider."

[proud2BlibKansan]

30. Wasn't there a

G string in Debbie Does Dallas?

[evlbstrd]

36. Briefly. Good enough for me.

I'll stand by the door.

[sakabatou]

5. I don't think anyone will object to jelly donuts

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. I know I wouldn't

[bleedingheart]

8. our public school does a huge Christian Jewish Kwanzaa..Other

extravaganza each year...covers everything they can....

Now I live in a 99% white school district that is half catholic and half protestant...the other 1% are the Jewish, African American and any other ethnic group that has subsequently moved in to the district. No parents complain...even the Jehovahs bear and grin it all....and if anyone it is the Pentecostals and the Jehovahas who normally like to stir up a problem.....but the ones that really hate everyone are home schooling...

I remember a few years ago my son singing a Purim song ...it was so cute a second grader singing in Hebrew...and he had no clue what he was singing.....

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. We used to do that

But not anymore. We have a lot of Jehovas and Muslims in our district. I would imagine they are the parents who have been complaining.

The problem is that many of them just keep their kids at home on holidays. And when attendance goes down, school districts wake up and pay attention.

[bleedingheart]

20. technically I understand why they should not be allowed

however it is something that the children truly do enjoy and if anything anyone who attends the concerts leaves with a huge smile on their face...nothing sweeter than little kids singing ..."all i want for christmas is my two front teeth.." especially when the first graders are really missing those teeth!!!


..."wittle sistah suzie sittin on a thissle..."

[XemaSab]

11. That's sort of retarded

Pretending it doesn't exist doesn't make it go away.

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. I think it is just the easiest solution

But I am with you. I don't like it either. It is odd being in a school at Christmastime and seeing no tress or Christmas decorations.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

14. At my middle school

(I'm in HS now) we used to just have a holiday extravaganza party-thing at the end of the day the last day before winter vacation. People brought in secular (presents, snowflakes, x-mas trees) holiday-themed cookies and whatever, some of the Jewish kids brought in latkes or star-of-david cookies, etc., etc., etc. The last day before vacation we kids aren't up to working anyway, so the teachers didn't really care. It's when people want to drag the celebrations out for the whole week before break that it really wastes time.

[Reciprocity]

26. Good grief this reminds me of...

FROM: Patty Lewis, Head of HR
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 01, 2005
RE: Christmas Party
I'm happy to inform you that the office Christmas Party will take place on December 23, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols...feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if the Chief shows up dressed as Santa Claus!

A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00pm. Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over £5 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets. This gathering is only for Chester House! The Chief will make a special announcement at that time!

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Patty

******************************

FROM: Patty Lewis, Head of HR
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 02, 2005
RE: Holiday Party

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognise that Chanukah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas. However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians or those still celebrating Reconciliation Day. There will be no Christmas tree present. No Christmas carols sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment.

Happy now?

Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Patty

******************************

FROM: Patty Lewis, Head of HR
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 03, 2005
RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table. You didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only"; you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this? Somebody?

Forget about the gifts exchange, no gifts exchange are allowed since the union members feel that £5 is too much money and executives believe £5 is a little chintzy. NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.

Patty

******************************

FROM: Patty Lewis, Head of HR
To: All Employees
DATE: October 04, 2005
RE: Holiday Party

What a diverse group we are! I had no idea about the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party - or else package everything for you to take it home in little foil doggy baggy. Will that work?

Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms. Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with Gay men, each will have their own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangement for the Gay men's table. To the person asking permission to cross dress, yes, this is allowed.

We will have booster seats for short people. Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet. We cannot control the salt used in the food we suggest for those people with high blood pressure to taste first. There will be fresh fruits as dessert for Diabetics, the restaurant cannot supply "No Sugar" desserts. Sorry!

Did I miss anything?!?!?

Patty

******************************

FROM: Patty Lewis, Head of HR
TO: All F****** Employees
DATE: October 05, 2005
RE: The F****** Holiday Party

Vegetarian pr**ks - I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you'll get your ******* salad bar, including organic tomatoes.

But you know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right NOW! I hope you all have a rotten holiday! Drive drunk and die,

The B**** from H***!!!!!!!!

******************************

FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Head of HR
DATE: October 06, 2005
RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery and I'll continue to forward your cards to her. In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.

Happy Holidays!

[WritingIsMyReligion]

29. ...

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Where the hell did you find that???

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[proud2BlibKansan]

37. It was posted here last week

I emailed it to a bunch of my friends and it was a big hit.

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. LOL I printed this out

and gave it to my principal today. She died laughing.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

27. Oh Dear God

you are still in school. We were done Friday.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

31. ...

:wtf:

That ain't fair, TG!!! :P :P :P I have to go until THIS FRIDAY. Fascist administration!! They hate us high schoolers for our "freedoms"!!!!

:D :P :D

[TallahasseeGrannie]

35. I'm guessing you

live in the evil, secular Northeast or perhaps Pacific Northwest and NOT THE BIBLE BELT???

Sometimes it has its advantages. And the town is dead until 1 PM on Sunday. You can get a whole lot of shopping done early all year long.

[ulysses]

39. actually,

our last day here in Atlanta is Thursday. Bah, humbug.

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. In our district we hate the high schoolers

for their test scores.

But that is a whole nuther thread. LOL

[proud2BlibKansan]

33. I was so ready to call in sick today.

There is a full moon and the kids are nuts.

We go thru Wed. Then we go back on the 4th.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

28. How about a New Year's party?

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. Not a bad idea

I will suggest that tomorrow and see what happens.