Couple Finds Winter Festival Offensive
By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

A couple who attended a winter festival on December 7th at Locust School were outraged by the decorations and song selection, which they claim favored Judaism.

"It seemed very clear to us that Locust School is anti-Christian in their presentation of this winter festival," said Thomas Ryan at the December 17th Garden City Board of Education meeting.

Mr. Ryan said a Jewish song was sung, but no Christian or Christmas songs. He handed out copies of the program cover, which features an image of a menorah and candy cane, as well as a border of Christmas trees. Mr. Ryan and his wife Kathleen argued that no Christian symbols appear on the cover to balance the menorah, which he said is a symbol of the Jewish faith.

In addition, he said no Christian symbols could be found in the room where the festival was held. Instead, the room was filled with student artwork that included menorahs and snowmen. He said the front foyer, which has a Christmas tree and a menorah, also lacked a Christian holiday symbol.

He asked that the menorahs be removed, or Christian symbols be added. Mr. Ryan said staff should be given sensitivity training and the importance of including all religions should be emphasized.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen said the school did not mean to offend anyone. "Every program that we do is done for an educational purpose," he said. "Otherwise, we wouldn't do them. We have too little time available to not focus on the educational value." He said the concert had a "holidays around the world" theme and focused primarily on the winter, holiday season and taking trips to grandma's house. He said the issue was raised with the school principal and music department.

School Board President Kenneth Monaghan said there was no intent to exclude other religions. "We try and establish programs that are broad-based and introduce kids to different songs and different traditions," he said. "I can't say that we always do as good a job as we should."

School district counsel Vanessa Sheheen said the courts have ruled that since there are not as many Jewish symbols, a menorah has become so secularized it is to be given the same status as a Christmas tree when it comes to school displays.