Even after a Texas school district refuted an erroneous report from Fox News reporter Todd Starnes alleging that the district is banning Christmas trees and the colors red and green, Ralph Reed’s Faith and Freedom Coalition yesterday decided to run with the story anyway in order to scare its members about the “War on Christmas.”
In August, TX Gov. Rick Perry signed into law the “Merry Christmas Bill,” which legally permits students and teacher to use traditional holiday greetings such as “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah” and also protects traditional holiday symbols. Lawmakers in the state hoped it would put an end to the “War on Christmas” scandals that plague us each winter. Unfortunately, officials at Nichols Elementary School in Waco, TX have already violated the new law, banning all reference to Christmas, from Christmas trees to the colors red and green, in their upcoming “Winter Party.”
Contact Principal Courtney Murphy & school board president Renee Ehmke and tell them that the parents and students at Nichols Elementary are guaranteed the right to celebrate Christmas. Call Nichols Elementary at (469)-633-3950 or contact them via email at [email protected] and contact Emke at (469)633-6000.
Of course, if the FFC had simply contacted the school district (as it advises its members to do) or just did a Google search, it would have found out that the school district’s “War on Christmas” is nothing but a Fox News-generated myth:
An unfortunate misunderstanding regarding an email that was sent by a room mom has unfairly portrayed a school and the Frisco ISD as having violated the “Merry Christmas Law.” This is simply incorrect.
The email being referenced was not an official PTA email nor was the school aware of it being sent. The email that was sent by the room mom was sent two weeks before the party planning meeting had even been held. At the party planning meeting held on November 19, prior to any knowledge of the email, the school leaders went over the new law as part of the meeting. Please understand, there has never been a ban on what is worn, what is said, or what is brought to the party (as long as they do not violate the “Limitations on Content” prohibited by policy FNAA -obscene, vulgar, inappropriate for the age, etc.). The new law is consistent with the manner in which holiday parties have been handled by the District in the past and in line with state and federal law.
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When the email was forwarded to Mr. Fallon stating no red or green or Christmas trees and no reference to Christmas or another religious holiday, he sent a letter to our Superintendent regarding the law. Our Superintendent called him and assured him these were not our rules. We are still unsure of why the campus and District’s position was misunderstood and why there is the feeling that there is some sort of ban of items or greetings regarding the winter holiday parties at that school.
When in our schools and offices, you will see a variety of decorations – you will see Christmas Trees at some, you will see a winter wonderland theme at others, you may even see staff wearing Santa hats. Yesterday the District hosted a senior citizens luncheon and students performed a lovely concert with Christmas and holiday tunes.
