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Unread 25-12-2003, 17:02
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Yan Wang Yan Wang is offline
Ithaca is Gorges
AKA: John Wayne
FRC #0639 (Code Red Robotics)
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Re: Christmas and Schools

Very true Kristina but the schools don't do that. Holidays are mentioned but obviously not all of them can or are covered. And if they were to cover the roots/history of Christmas or some religious holiday, it'd be ok. However, elementary schools don't cover that history. Instead, the activities seem to lean towards one religion. I found out that my sister's class had to bring in tiny little presents for "Secret Santa". Sure, the presents were small (less than dollar store items), but nowhere on the teacher's notice for the event was an option to not bring something due to either financial problems or unwillingness to participate in the Christmas-related event.

Also, the mention of "Christmas" in the song the 12 days of Christmas is not kosher in Ithaca schools (or at the least the high school). As I mentioned, this is an overly-liberal town, and if some employee at the high school said merry christmas or put up a decoration/poster/etc in the hallway, there would be hell to pay. In fact, that happened before and that employee was almost fired last year.

Ken, there seemed to be some bitterness in your argument. I'm not trying to offend. One thing I wanted to mention was that in my Chinese family, we don't actually have a holiday during this time. The only reason we have a Christmas tree and get presents is to entertain my sister, who, from her schooling and society, has come to expect that Christmas is for everyone. I really don't care. My parents care more about Chinese New Year, which is in late January this year - in fact, during my regents testing week. And that is not a break from anything. So if the schools wished to have a true holiday to cover all the holidays, then it should go at least all the way to the last week of January. Our Chinese new year is possibly the biggest in the world (or 2nd to Indian holidays, since their population is also excessively large, and the Jan 1st New Year) and most celebrated. And no, Ken, I don't plan on yelling at the principal as you seemed to suggest. I said I'd be sending him a kind email asking him whether such curriculum is considerate of the various cultures represented by all the students.
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<Patrician|Away> what does your robot do, sam
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