PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
by Chris Freind
Is the Marple Newtown School District in Delaware County on the verge of bankruptcy? It's a fair question, considering its no-tolerance policy toward God in the public schools. If the Superintendent and District Solicitor consider it fair game forbidding two fourth graders from singing "Amazing Grace" at their school's talent show, then it's only logical to assume the District will soon be eschewing all United States legal tender, since every bill is emblazoned with "In God We Trust".
But let's not stop there. Why don't we ban the Pledge of Allegiance, since "under God" is no doubt equally offensive. And singing "God Bless America"? Forget it. That should be out too.
It's painfully obviously that Marple Newtown has jumped on the Politically Correct bandwagon with reckless abandon, and has no plans to stop. Consider the Holiday Observance policy posted on its website:
"Our public schools represent a microcosm of society reflecting a pluralistic community enriched by diverse ethnic groups, religious and cultural heritage; positive resources to be respected and nurtured in education. Our national heritage mandates a sense of fairness to guide individual and group relationships. The Board affirms the worth and dignity of each individual. Sensitivity to each other is a critical component of the framework of the community."
If you can decipher that, you're a lot smarter than I. But what I do know is that someone has entirely too much time on his hands. (So sorry---that should be "his or her" hands).
And where does the "Authority" come from to issue such a policy? Again, from the website:
"The First Amendment to our Constitution clearly establishes the principle of 'Separation of Church and State' Academic religious study, philosophical reflection, and cultural sharing have an appropriate and important place as part of the approved school curriculum."
Hmm. Seems to me the solicitor and administration should hit the fourth grade civics books again, because the oft-used phrase "separation of church and state" is never mentioned in the original Constitution, nor is it in any of the Amendments. But why let history and facts get in the way when it's a lot more fun to ramrod through absurd policies that, ironically, serve only to offend the majority and breed intolerance?
In Marple Newtown Schools, it is expressly forbidden to play regular Christmas music during the holidays, since those lyrics have clearly been shown to promote good cheer and a happy environment. Instead, "Secular 'holiday' music, without religious content, is appropriate for all concerts, music classes, and classroom activities". If that wasn't enough of a blast, "Parties, without religious theme or content, may be planned as a symbol of the season." This much fun in school should be illegal. Christmas parties without...Christmas. It's like having a mimosa without the champagne.
But it's the students' expression of the season that really gets them pumped up. The only restrictions are that "Religious symbols, cultural themes, etc., as a direct outgrowth of established curriculum, could be displayed together in a sensitively planned, centrally
located cabinet. (No "crèche" or Nativity scene should be displayed on school
property.)" But the best part of all is the non-Christmas Christmas tree (I know, it should be an "x-mas" tree). District policy stipulates that "A secular 'holiday' tree without religious ornamentation in one central location, rather than individual classroom trees, would be an appropriate symbol of the season."
Of course, it is interesting to note that the lighting of menorahs is deemed acceptable, as are the readings of Hanukkah books and presentations about Hanukkah and Passover. Does anyone else see a double standard here?
And our tax dollars are paying for this garbage? I know I'm going out on a limb here, but perhaps if administrators spent less time worshipping at the altars of political correctness and secularism, and more time on actually educating, we would be producing a better product. Which, loosely translated, means not graduating functional illiterates and not having a mediocre educational system when compared to other nations.
Most of all, though, it is imperative to answer the following questions: what is happening to our country, and why are we letting it take place?
Too many people sit back and shake their heads in disgust at such policies, but are unwilling to take a stand, either out of fear, laziness or apathy. They are content to let the "other guy" fight the fight, hoping that everything will get straightened out in the process. But this isn't the Fifties. It won't get better. America will continue to spiral out of control with political correctness ruling the day until it is too late to turn things around. We must rally around our children to protect them from being victimized by political correctness. Should we fail in that task, we forfeit the right to what should be our proudest title---parents.
