Commentary; Posted: 12/13/06
Schools can enhance holiday cultural differences
Joe Nathan
Education Columnist
ìThe December debate,î is what we used to call intense discussions about how schools should mention or celebrate holidays that occur at this time of year. Because of parental pressure and fear of lawsuits, some schools ignore the holidays. I think thatís a huge mistake.
As a school administrator, I remember a few intense debates with parents who wanted public schools to ignore these holidays. They felt that the school might impose religious values on students...values that the families did not share. And some families do not celebrate any of these holidays. So celebrating them could make some youngsters feel even more alone and alienated.
Those are fair concerns. However, there are ways to deal with them.
Regardless of what schools do, holidays like Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and the Hmong New Year are on studentsí minds. Advertising makes Christmas, at least almost impossible to ignore. And while many youngsters celebrate Christmas, millions in this country and around the world celebrate other holidays.
This is a great time for schools to help youngsters learn more about their local, state and international neighbors. Some of the best lessons build on student interest. Many students are thinking about at least one of these holidays.
When I was a teenager, our junior high choir sang Christmas carols in December. Some of them are beautiful, touching, and inspiring. But I do not recall singing anything about Hanukkah or any other religious festivals held this time of the year.
More recently I attended winter concerts at our childrenísí schools. The list of songs has expanded dramatically. And in some cases, so has the food served at these concerts.
Sometimes, band and home ec teachers have worked closely with families to include a much greater variety of songs - and worked with families to serve food representing different cultures. So the school has promoted greater knowledge and understanding...exactly one of the goals set for public schools in a democracy.
I remember walking out of one concert, with a full belly and a big smile. The school really respected different kinds of families. Educators worked closely with religious leaders to provide magnificent music representing different cultures. And the food was incredible.
Instead of ignoring cultural differences, the school had used December as a time to learn from and share some of the best music and food from the communities it served.
Of course, not every community has the religious, racial and cultural diversity represented at that winter concert...Jewish, African American, Hispanic, Scandinavian, Irish, Italian, various forms of Christianity, Hmong, Chinese, Muslim, atheist, agnostic and Buddhist.
But courtesy of the Internet, state and national organizations, a vast array of information is available for educators.
So I hope the December debate has been resolved in your community - in favor of inclusion, diversity and respect.
Joe Nathan, a former public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota jnathan@hhh.umn.edu.
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