Bring back holiday parties to District 428

http://www.fix428.org/issues/holiday-parties

This is ridiculous! Never in my life did I think that my kids would never get to participate in the same holiday parties as I did growing up. The only thing taking away holiday parties in schools is doing, is teaching kids that it is NOT okay to celebrate their favorite holidays!!!'

Im appalled at the decisions this school district makes. Really no holiday parties? I wonder if you all enjoyed them when you were children.

Kids deserve these parties!!!

Bring back the class party's.

Here is the response I received from one of the board members: Dear Jill, Thanks for your email expressing your thoughts on the banning of holiday parties at school. As I recall, changes were brought to the board by a committee of administrators late last year in part to conform to new state requirements for schools. Most of those changes were in my view either reasonable or necessary, however I recall specifically asking why we needed to disallow holiday parties. I also asked whether removing parties was a new state requirement...and again in my recollection, it was not. I think your email outlines a very reasonable perspective on school holiday parties. I would encourage you (and any other parents with similar views) to express your concerns to the Board during the public comments section of any Board meeting. As you may know, the Board has many serious items under consideration right now, but as we can make time, I would like to reopen discussion of whether we are on the right track with our recently changed holiday party policy. It may be one of several board policies that need to be amended. Again, thank you for communicating your concerns to us. Kerry Mellott Board Member

We are in the DeKalb school district; I don't know why "Davis Junction" is behind my name.

In addition to this petition, I suggest that you contact the school board members. I sent them the email below, and their addresses are here: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] I also posted the email to the DeKalb Co., DeKalb Chronicle, and Dist 428 FB pages. I sent this email to the principal of my daughter's school and plan on speaking with someone at the district re: the cancellation of the Halloween party at school this year. I think it's ridiculous to cancel something that has been occurring for years that my children have always looked forward to for such reasons. ***** I received a newsletter from my daughter's 1st grade teacher saying that there won't be Halloween parties this year. On further questioning, I was told that it's a non-academic event, some can't afford to participate, and some don't celebrate Halloween. As for it being a non-academic event, I have had 2 children at Malta Elementary every year save one since 2008. There has been a Halloween party each year, so I don't see why this year should be any different: what about this year makes the Halloween party being non-academic relevant? For those who can't afford to participate with a costume, I can appreciate their situation. Therefore, I can see why students dressing up may not be an option. However, the party is donated by the PTO and parents. For those who cannot afford to contribute to the party, they should be exempt. I am willing to provide extra items to make up for those who are unable to provide supplies in my daughter's class. I know other parents would be willing to do so as well. For those who don't celebrate Halloween, and I assume it's a vast minority at the school and district, they can have an extra recess or other play time during party time. I don't see why so many students should be disallowed a fun event at school.

This is so unfair for the children to not have without any of the parents being asked, just told.

Those who do not participate in Holiday events can stay home for the day.

This is not right. They should have the option to participate or not. If they need help with parties I would be willing.

Separate the kids that aren't allowed to celebrate. Did you have parties at school as a kid? Do you remember how much fun it was? I'm all for equality and respecting people's wishes but there's ways around this.

Lighten up 428. Let these kids enjoy being kids! Social skills are very important at this age. It's not like they will be playing lawn darts.

I really hope the district will reconsider. Our children deserve these fun memories that all of us had growing up. It's truly unfair they are being robbed of this!

D428 ruins childhoods

Should never have been eliminated in the first place. Along with that, the parties shouldn't be rice cakes and water bottles. Lame! Let kids be kids and enjoy some junk on a few special party days a year. Too many restrictions by this school district!!!

Bring back all parties and treats. Holiday, birthday, and award parties as for our children work hard and deserve a party once in awhile.

Kids don't learn or even care about the religious implications of these holidays. Removing them only stifles creativity, togetherness and joyous memories of childhood. This choice of removing these events, which are more cultural than religious only to demonstrate political correctness and a faint attempt of inclusion only demonstrates the complete cowardice of the DeKalb school board.

Im not even in this district and I think its absurd for children not to have classroom parties for any type of reason. Whoever took these away should really be voted out of office.

If calling them" Holiday parties " is the reason for stopping them make them "Seasonal Parties" so all can be involved..