DSISD AND CHRISTMAS
Over the weekend we began receiving emails that Dripping Springs schools would not be allowing Christmas decorations this year (to put it in a nutshell). The reports we received said that the reasoning provided by the school district was that the decorations would be a learning distraction. We received reports of a local news station interviewing parents about the matter and, ultimately, that the school district had relented and would allow decorations. Those are reports we received. The official word on the matter (that we're aware of) is posted on the DSISD website as follows:
Religion and Holidays in the Drippings Springs Schools
It's called the December Dilemma. Constitutional guidelines tell us how to handle religion in schools and prohibit our employees from endorsing or promoting particular religious beliefs. In that regard, there are few or no Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards related to religion at the elementary school levels. Sixth grade is the first grade level to consider and compare Christmas, Easter, Ramadan, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, and other religious holidays.
At the same time, we try to strike a balance in acknowledging the religious and secular holiday traditions celebrated this time of year. We expect that our schools may, over the next few weeks, have holiday parties and activities, programs that may include holiday music, and holiday displays that may include Christmas trees and "giving trees," Santa, reindeer, elves, and similar seasonal symbols. So long as such activities pass Constitutional muster, we welcome them. The District's paramount concern is to honor and protect the traditions of all students in an appropriate manner without promoting any particular set of beliefs over another. The District remains sensitive to parent and community input, and we welcome all comments and questions.
Religion and Holidays in the Drippings Springs Schools
It's called the December Dilemma. Constitutional guidelines tell us how to handle religion in schools and prohibit our employees from endorsing or promoting particular religious beliefs. In that regard, there are few or no Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards related to religion at the elementary school levels. Sixth grade is the first grade level to consider and compare Christmas, Easter, Ramadan, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, and other religious holidays.
At the same time, we try to strike a balance in acknowledging the religious and secular holiday traditions celebrated this time of year. We expect that our schools may, over the next few weeks, have holiday parties and activities, programs that may include holiday music, and holiday displays that may include Christmas trees and "giving trees," Santa, reindeer, elves, and similar seasonal symbols. So long as such activities pass Constitutional muster, we welcome them. The District's paramount concern is to honor and protect the traditions of all students in an appropriate manner without promoting any particular set of beliefs over another. The District remains sensitive to parent and community input, and we welcome all comments and questions.
Posted by DSBabble.com at Tuesday, November 24, 2009 8:28 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: dripping springs christmas
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: dripping springs christmas
c'mon, ds, don't you lose your sense of humor like the rest of the country. it's just a tree!
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