Parents: Chelmsford school holding firm on holiday gift-shop restrictions
By Rita Savard, rsavard@lowellsun.com - Updated: 11/14/2009 02:55:56 PM EST
CHELMSFORD - After meeting with members of the Byam Elementary School PTO, two mothers asking to put the holidays back into the school's annual holiday gift shop say Byam isn't budging.
Kathryn McMillan and Kathleen Cullen, who both have children at Byam, asked school officials to allow all holiday items at the gift shop following a ban on Santa, candy canes, stockings, and all Christmas, Hanukkah and other "religious items."
But a meeting with some PTO parents on Thursday night grew heated as emotions got in the way.
Red and green tissue paper to wrap presents was also crossed off the list because it looked too "Christmasy," McMillan said.
"One of the parents said, 'If we allow Santa, what do we say if a child brings in a swastika? Do we allow that too?' " McMillan said. "All I could think of was, are you kidding? You're comparing a Christmas ornament to a swastika? It seems as if reason is lost somewhere and I just hope we can find it again."
Superintendent Donald Yeoman told The Sun on Tuesday that the rules for the gift shop are under the authority of Byam Principal Jane Gilmore. Ultimately, said Yeoman, the policy for the gift shop was set so no child would feel left out.
"It's operated under those same rules for a number of years with success and without complaint," Yeoman said.
Until now.
Gilmore did not return a reporter's phone call yesterday.
McMillan and Cullen have asked that if the children can't celebrate their traditions whatever they may be - at the holiday gift shop, then maybe the school should move the gift shop to another time of year.
Not all Chelmsford schools have adopted the same policy as Byam. The South Row Elementary School, and the former Westlands Elementary that closed last year, had no restrictions on gift-giving.
"It makes sense that the school probably makes the most money by holding the gift shop over the holidays," McMillan added. "So all we're asking is that if you're letting kids buy gifts for the holidays, let them donate stuff that celebrates those traditions and use it as a teachable moment so these kids can learn."
McMillan and Cullen will appear before the School Committee on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
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Happy holidays, Chelmsford kids! (Just leave the Santas and candy canes at home)
By Rita Savard, rsavard@lowellsun.com - Updated: 11/12/2009 08:12:09 AM EST
POLITICALLY CORRECT GRINCH AT WORK? Two Chelmsford mothers complain that the Byam Elementary School has banned Christmas from its annual holiday gift shop. SUN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION AP PHOTO
CHELMSFORD -- 'Twas the month before Christmas and all through the class, controversy was stirring about Christmas present and past.
The rhyme may sound trite, but the complaint is real from two Chelmsford mothers who say the Byam Elementary School has banned Christmas from its annual holiday gift shop.
A flier sent home with students for the gift shop, which will run from Dec. 1 to Dec. 4 and benefits the school's PTO, states no Santa, candy canes, stockings, Christmas, Hanukkah or other "religious items" are welcome.
Kathryn McMillan and Kathleen Cullen, who both have children at Byam, are asking school officials to allow all holiday items or move the gift shop to another time of year.
"It's sending the wrong message to our kids," said McMillan. "The school is doing this in the name of diversity. But diversity means accepting all views, not suppressing some views."
But school officials argue that the tradition to keep the gifts "neutral" is one that's been in place for several years. Superintendent Donald Yeoman said shopping guidelines are under the purview of Byam Principal Jane Gilmore, and he stands by her position.
"The PTO offered a meeting to parents for input on the gift room," Yeoman said. "After some feedback from parents, it was decided that they would design the event the same way they have in the past."
At South Row Elementary School, a flier advertising its holiday shop listed no restrictions whatsoever on items that could be sold, according to one parent, who also noted the sheet was adorned with plenty of Christmas spirit.
School Committee member Angelo Taranto said the Byam event has been run for nearly a decade without complaint, until now. While Taranto said he hasn't had a chance to discuss the issue with Gilmore yet, he believes the policy was likely enacted to prevent any child from feeling left out.
McMillan and Cullen said the school's no-Christmas-items policy does become an issue when a child asks why a gift with a picture of Santa Claus on it is not allowed at the holiday gift shop.
"It's as if the schools are saying choice is a fundamental right except when it comes to celebrating our traditions which have religious roots," Cullen said, "We're not Jewish, but I think it's great if my child brings home a dreidel. School is a great place to open doors for kids to other cultures, religions and traditions."
In an e-mail to members of the School Committee asking for "real diversity," McMillan and Cullen said "Christmas is still a federal holiday... it is not the job of government employees to redefine traditions because of political correctness."
School Committee member Nick DeSilvio, whose five kids have all been students at Byam, said he thinks Gilmore does a great job running her school, but he also understands the parents' concerns.
"A lot of parents have talked about this over the years. The difference is this year, these two moms decided to take it on," DeSilvio said. "My definition is that it's not really a religious thing as much as it's a tolerance thing. Whether it's a cross or a Star of David, our children need to understand their religion isn't the only religion in the world and become tolerant of the others that exist."
Banning candy canes from the gift shop's offerings also seemed a little over the top this year, DeSilvio added.
Byam PTO President Joanne Hayes declined to comment yesterday. McMillan and Cullen praised the school's PTO for all the work it does throughout the year, but hope to see some tweaks to the gift-shop policy.
Both Byam moms also said they find it ironic that other holiday decor, including snowmen and snowflakes, are acceptable.
"It all seems ludicrous and silly -- we could put a giant snowman in the room and no one would blink an eye," Cullen said. "All we ask is that the school bring true diversity into the gift shop. It's a teachable moment. We live in a crazy upside-down world and, well, this is one little part that we can try to turn right-side up."
McMillan and Cullen are trying to bring their case to the next School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
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