Bah humbug: Nebraska principal issues ban on Christmas decorations

<p>A principal in Nebraska has been placed on leave after reportedly banning Christmas decorations at the school.</p>

News 12 Staff

Dec 7, 2018, 12:23 PM

Updated 2,195 days ago

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Bah humbug: Nebraska principal issues ban on Christmas decorations
A principal in Nebraska has been placed on leave after reportedly banning Christmas decorations at the school.
Principal Jennifer Sinclair reportedly sent a memo to teachers at Manchester Elementary School in Omaha asking them to avoid decorating their classrooms with Christmas ornamentations in order to not offend people who don’t celebrate the holiday. 
The banned decorations included images of Santa, Christmas trees, reindeer and candy canes. Sinclair said that candy canes they are shaped like the letter “J,” which stands for Jesus.
Acceptable decorations were snowflakes, hot chocolate, polar bears, penguins and snow people. Sinclair said that the goal is to promote cultural sensitivity and inclusiveness.
But many people said that the ban was going too far.
News 12 New Jersey spoke with Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore, a clinical psychologist and author of the book "Growing Friendships: A Kid's Guide to Making and Keeping Friends.” She says that the public needs to include, not exclude, when it comes to differences.
"I think a better strategy rather than trying to ban all diversity is to embrace it,” she says. ‘”So, let's celebrate Christmas, but if you have a kid in the class that celebrates something else, let's all learn about that too."
The Elkhorn School District put Sinclair on leave because administrators say that she didn't consult with them beforehand about the ban. They say her views do not reflect those of the district.