Happy holidays, Chelmsford kids

The entire concept of the gift shop is ridiculous. The children and families feel obligated to purchase items so they will not be left out when their entire class goes to the gift shop. A child in my daughter's class was in tears last year because she did not have any money to purchase anything. Regardless of which holiday item is represented, school is not a place to open a store.

This is what happens when you have a bunch of liberal PC types calling the shots! What exactly are the "holidays" anyway if we have to hide your traditions? Christmas celebration is being forced underground like some type of illicit underground society. This is beyond silly ... shame on you Chelmsford.

These two parents need to find a full-time job. This is a waste of energy on their part. Perhaps both of them could become bell ringers for the Salvation Army. Get a life!
Thank goodness we're through with the 'public school life'. Two people can control an entire town? School officials need to stand up to these parents. This is easily solved, just don't purchase any Christmas themed items. Don't FORCE others to do the same!

lets really get their goat and cancel the day off make them go to school on December 25th see what happens then

While I'm not shocked about that anything "holiday" holiday related has been banned, I am shocked at people's reactions to the parents.
I think people are missing the point here. If for religious reasons one does not participate in a particular holiday or they don't believe in it, don't participate, it's that easy. Why make it miserable for everyone else? As a nation we've become too concerned about being "politically corect".

Things like this really want to make me scream! These two parents are totally out of control! I SO agree with Don- make them go to school on December 25th and see what happens. Wow- what insanity.

I think all of these different cultures that come to this country, should either celebrate however they want in their own homes, but leave OUR ways of celebrating alone. Don't come here and try to change the way we have always done things. Don't like it, go back where you came from. This is really getting out of control.

LMK wrote:

While I'm not shocked about that anything "holiday" holiday related has been banned, I am shocked at people's reactions to the parents.
I think people are missing the point here. If for religious reasons one does not participate in a particular holiday or they don't believe in it, don't participate, it's that easy. Why make it miserable for everyone else? As a nation we've become too concerned about being "politically corect".

I agree.

If you can't have christian themed items, then don't call it a holiday gift shop. From my understanding children of non-christian beliefs are allowed to take the school day off for their religious holidays with no repercussion.

If December 25th was a school day I'm sure a good number of students wouldn't be in school, as would a number of teachers also utilizing their religious freedom. Having the day off, designated, just makes financial sense if a good number were unable to attend school for a religious observance and traveling to see family.

Having friends who were not Christian in their beliefs, they never really had a problem with the time off from school. One friend growing up told me, they used the day to clean house top to bottom. They made plans to do other things, much like February winter vacation.

If I lived in an area in which my faith wasn't as widely celebrated, I would be respect of others and that time (even in a public school), knowing that my beliefs would also be acknowledged and accommodated.

" Christmas" as in Christ's Mass is a pagan holiday stolen by the Christians called the winter solstice.
The point is to keep religion and its symbols out of the public arena, not celebtare diversity.
Dr. Yeoman and the principal stand on firm constitutional ground. Do we have to go over this again?

Celebrating diversity??? Is it their thinking that unity comes from uniforminty? In reality, our strength as a nation for the past 233 years has come from the many differnt threads woven into our national fabric. Another PC fanatic run amuck? How about some COMMON SENSE!!

Why are we, all of a sudden, after many, many, many ,many years of celebrating all of these holidays, is it offensive to all those people who never found it offensive before? Why can't we teach the kids about all of the holidays? What if a child went up to the teacher and asked if he could tell the kids in his class about his holiday traditions that have NOTHING to do with Christmas? That is diversity- kids teaching kids about their own holidays and traditions and religious beliefs. Kids who have no idea why Santa has been banned from the school store. Kids who do not care about being politically correct. Innocent kids who are not out to offend the world, but just want to share their own stories with their fellow classmates and friends. Children are not stupid- they see and hear everything. What they do not see or hear is WHY- why is Santa wrong? why is a driedel wrong? Well kids, there is no answer to your question because we have no answers. At then end of the day, people will still celebrate their traditions and religions and holidays and they will not even blink twice at the giant blow up Santa with the blinding christmas lights shining off the house next door. Those same people who found him to be offensive in a school store. Seriously?!?!?!

Christmas trees are pagan symbols. Candy-Cains are not related to Christianity. I don't understand the obsession with banning these symbols. They are in no way related to any kind of religion. I can understand the schools banning crosses or immages of Jesus, even certain christmas carols. It is very clear to me that too many people confuse the celebration of Christ's birth with Santa Clause! They are mutually exclusive! One need not be Christian to have a Christmas tree or to enjoy candy cains. As for the 2 parents who insist on allowing these items...they would have a better shot at reversing the decision if they aregued that those symbols are not religious. Clearly they don't get it.

Angie thinks the gift room has been operating this way without complaint? I guess he hasn't been listening. I can't tell you how many parents spent their time and or money on gift items (25 each) only to have the items rejected by Mrs. Gilmore. Even red table clothes were banned.
But please do not blame non-Christian parents for this one. This is all Jane Gilmore.

I like the fact that these two stood up. Celebrate all religions all holidays. Give me a break, I think a new superintendanet as well as PTO president is needed. If you don't like it don't participate it's that simple but don't tell me that my son/daughter can't celebrate their holidays in the f-ing school system that I pay for. These woman don't need to get a job or life, about time someone had the b@lls to say/stand up for something they believe in.

NO God, Morals removed from school in banning school prayer and posting of ten commandments.More than half the kids are stone cold in their hearts, without pity, remorseless, and belligerent to teachers and parents alike. Has Chelmsford become that totally messed up? it is becoming Cambridge MA. No wonder the town is having so many financial woes, your children are being taught by atheists, witches and green peace morons and your a bunch of idiots for not kicking yeoman out on his behind... You will all reap what you have sown, thats your only truth....

Easy fix - close the gift shops.

Geo wrote:

Angie thinks the gift room has been operating this way without complaint? I guess he hasn't been listening. I can't tell you how many parents spent their time and or money on gift items (25 each) only to have the items rejected by Mrs. Gilmore. Even red table clothes were banned.
But please do not blame non-Christian parents for this one. This is all Jane Gilmore.

I absolutely agree. Gilmore is ridiculous - it is her way only - no input from parents allowed. Yoeman is a pathetic joke - he needs to be replaced. The SC are gutless wonders, who all seem to relish in their ignorance. Why in the world would you ban SANTA from a holiday gift room? Forget the religious angle - absolutely ZERO common sense in Chelmsford school dept. These 2 Moms should be thanked for standing up for common sense. Yoeman, Gilmore and the SC are drowning in a pool of PC crap.

I don't normally comment on articles because of the argumentative nature that it brings out but here's my 2 cents. I grew up in neighboring Lowell. I always thought of as Chelmsford being a step ahead of the pack. This just goes to prove that while times change mentalities do not. Children are social creatures and want to learn. Some children also want to learn about why some of their friends don't have a Christmas tree or why their friends get 8 days of presents versus their one. Why not take this issue and treat it as a learning tool. Stop being so close minded and show the children it is ok to be different and that all are equal, especially during this time of year. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, etc.

Oh thats my town... pointing the finger and TELLING the taxpayers how its going to be... and upper level Superintendent of schools not listening to the people either. So many stories about this town just make me so proud to be living here.... when is this town going to realize they are not God and we live in a country where people have say... oh yeah and we are the ones paying the killer taxes that don't seem to cover anything....Byam get a clue teach these kids don't stiffle their learning.