No more Christmas, or other holidays, for another school in Minnesota

It’s all or nothing in trying
to please all cultures’ traditions

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Students at a St. Paul elementary school won’t be exchanging valentines this year, or celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and any other holiday.

Bruce Vento Elementary is joining other public schools that have opted out of holiday celebrations as they strive to be more culturally sensitive and inclusive. The elementary school has a predominantly nonwhite student population.

The Star Tribune reported the decision by Principal Scott Masini has drawn criticism and support. Masini says celebrating some holidays and not others is not inclusive of all of the students.

The Vento school is echoing that rationale in its decision to stop celebrating major holidays, to avoid “encroaching on the educational opportunities of others and threatening a culture of tolerance and respect for all,” Masini said in the letter addressed to families. “My personal feeling is we need to find a way to honor and engage in holidays that are inclusive of our student population.”

Other schools have made similar moves. Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan and Wayzata public schools have shifted from holiday parties to seasonal celebrations. Yet, other schools are leaving it up to the discretion of the teachers.