Sticky Issues
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Sticky Issues Archive >
In this section, principals tell how they handled a challenging situation, how some policy that was in place actually worked, and the lessons learned from dealing with these Sticky Issues. Send your stories to principal@osu.edu. Please indicate if we may use your name in the “contributor” credits.
Responding to Religious Preferences for Holiday Observances
There was a time when we celebrated Halloween with plenty of ghosts and demons and Halloween lore. Over the years certain religious groups made it known that these practices were offensive to them and sought ways to have their children excluded from these “pagan” practices. The first responses to this request was to have an alternate activity for the children affected by the traditional Halloween activities, such as providing refreshments and games in the library. We saw the numbers of those who disengaged from Halloween grow over the years, until the “Halloween” party ultimately evolved into a “Fall Festival,” which we also tied to the curriculum through theme planning across the disciplines.
We have seen the annual “Christmas Program” evolve into a “Holiday Program,” incorporating various cultures and viewpoints into the seasonal celebration. We seem to be able to adjust and add new cultural perspectives as they present themselves in the schools.
One of the highlights of the year was The Multicultural Fair. This was an opportunity for all parents, particularly immigrant parents, to share their foods, their dress, and their customs with their child’s school, thereby enriching all.
Responding to ever widening diversity is challenging, but enriching as all learn that there are many worldviews. The most important lesson, I believe is that we learn tolerance and appreciation for our world. Hopefully, school leadership that responds to and promotes diverse community interests will be a vehicle for peace in our world.
