School Eliminates Holiday Parties

WNBC Television ^ | 09/09/04 | Puppage

[Puppage]

GROVEPORT, Ohio -- Dressing up in Halloween costumes in grade school and having punch and cookies used to be one of the most anticipated days of the school year. Now, students at one elementary school in Ohio won't have those memories, WCMH-TV reported.

Administrators sent a letter home with students Thursday alerting parents that there will no longer be Halloween, Christmas or Valentine's Day parties.

"Since they are canceling these activities, it's kind of like they are taking tradition out of school," said Chris Ayers, a parent.

Principal William Sternberg said about 15 percent of the student population doesn't participate in the parties because of personal beliefs. He said the teachers think the classroom gatherings take away valuable instructional time.

"Our teachers came together to make sure our test scores come up this year, and this is what they came up with," Sternberg said.

He stressed there will be some celebrations during the academic year, but the parties will be based on academics instead of holidays, Flannigan reported.

"Second grade does ancient Greece. We might do a party with ancient Greece," he said. "Those parties further enhance the lessons learned during those sections."

Leaders originally suggested eliminating individual birthday parties. Now there will be one big birthday bash.

Despite the birthday celebrations, some parents fear their children will miss something as a result of the new policy.

"He needs to look at the fact that he's leaving out a very important American concept from the children's lives and their history," Ayers said.

Administrators said they're still revising the new policy and changes could be made.

Some parents plan to circulate a petition to bring the holiday parties back.

[Puppage]

15 percent of the student population doesn't participate in the parties because of personal beliefs

So, that's 85% that DO.

Once again the MINORITY dictating to the MAJORITY.

[cyborg]

Those holidays are very important in American culture. Thank goodness I went to catholic school while nuns were still teaching.

[SpeakingUp]

"Our teachers came together to make sure our test scores come up this year, and this is what they came up with," Sternberg said.

Wow, some solution to test score problems. These teachers are so smart, or are they? Maybe the score problem is becoming more apparent here.

[Mike Bates]

He stressed there will be some celebrations during the academic year. . .

Kwanzaa?

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[SpeakingUp]

Maybe they could have a democracy part instead. One where 1% or more opinion rules. They could explain why 99% in favor means nothing and then, when the students become confused and tune out, put them on Ritalin.

Close the public schools, get a better life started.

[Puppage]

Kwanzaa?

But of course....with a little Rhamadan thrown in for flavor.

[mtbopfuyn]

Once again the MINORITY dictating to the MAJORITY.

Ditto. Those 85% parents failed to realize they run the school, not the teachers. Parents vote in so can vote out school board members who hire those same teachers and principal.

[codyjacksmom]

What a bunch of losers...what will they try to take away next? Lunch? You know, lunch does cut into some very valuable instruction time...

[math=power]

You think the War in Faluija is hot...the culture war in this country is continuing to escalate. Go to the lamest government building you can find...that's what they want to make of your social life, your thoughts, your opinions. When our childrens kids can't even remember what American life was like they wont bother defending it. Scares the heck out of me.

[Toespi]

Groveport (Columbus suburb) has been a very depressed school district. For years, residents have denied the school district new funding. Their teachers are the lowest paid in Central Ohio.

[b2stealth]

Welcome to communism! Vote for Kerry..

[Knute]

Our teachers came together to make sure our test scores come up this year, and this is what they came up with," Sternberg said.

When the teaching is only for the goal of raising a test score, the teaching never gets to the practical level of application. No wonder our kids can no longer think through a problem logically, nor comprehend anything they read beyond "See Spot run".
The 5th grader of the 60's could out perform most of the 11th graders today on factual examinations. I really think they could!

[Fintan]

He said the teachers think the classroom gatherings take away valuable instructional time.


 

Absolutely. Time is valuable when instructing grade-schoolers how to use condoms and embrace homosexuality.

 

[You Dirty Rats]

The stated reason is the need to raise test scores. Must be the test scores that came out of the No Child Left Behind Act.

It's Bush's Fault!!!!

[Rebelbase]

Teachers are not allowed to call a school party a party here anymore. They're now a "celebration".

[cyborg]

What's the difference?

[Sacajaweau]

We had none of these parties when I was in school. We were too busy doing reading, writing and arithmetic.

School plays were the outlet for holidays. You could participate or be part of the audience. School was for learning the basics.

Birthdays were family and friends AT HOME, not a school event. The schools are filled with JUNK time killers. Get back to basics.

[ohioconservative]

FReep the poll.

Do you think schools should ban holiday parties?
Choice	Votes	Percentage of 9731 Votes
Yes. Holiday parties should not be part of the school day.	1069	11%
No. Holiday parties are fun, a tradition for students to enjoy.	8662	89%
Thanks for taking part in our survey!

[Mike Bates]

The schools are filled with JUNK time killers. Get back to basics.

I don't think the NEA/AFT would like that very much.

[foreverfree]

bump