Frosty shares top billing at "Breakfast with Santa" fundraiser at Sanfordville Elementary School in Warwick
Frosty the Snowman is sharing top billing this year with Santa at the annual "Breakfast with Santa" fundraiser at Sanfordville Elementary School in Warwick, New York, and the theme has been changed to a "Winter Wonderland Breakfast," sparked by one parent wanting to exclude religious inference and include all students. The parent, who did not wish her name to be used, said she and others in the community were offended by the PTA sponsoring an event geared toward one religion. She said Santa is a religious figure, a figure that represents Christmas, a Christian holiday, and that a public school, by law, is not allowed to do that. When PTA members agreed to change the theme and include Hanukkah traditions, the parent said she felt this still wasn't fair because it included religious traditions. In a letter to Superintendent Frank Greenhall, attorney Kathy Ann Wolvorton of Girvin & Ferlazzo, PC, advised that the PTA stick to a more neutral theme in order to avoid litigation. The PTA members who have planned this event counter that while Santa is a symbol of Christmas, he is not a religious figure at all. Still, he represents Christmas and that is a religious holiday. Dr. Greenhall told the PTA he would take the blame for this ever coming to pass. "When I reviewed the calendar in July, I should have caught the 'Breakfast with Santa,'" he said. The parent suggested Frosty the Snowman as an alternative icon, and Dr. Greenhall volunteered to dress up as Frosty himself in an effort to resolve the situation. "If you say yes to Santa tonight, I will have to do more research, call the board, spend money," he told the PTA. "The board may turn around and say, 'Sorry PTA, we can't rent you the space.' Think about this: If you haven't walked in their shoes, you don't know."
But the PTA was adamant that the event is a success in large part because of Santa and, since it is on a Saturday and attendance is optional, no one is being discriminated against. Dr. Greenhall consulted with the lawyers again, proposing the compromise that Frosty the Snowman would appear at the event as well as Santa. The lawyers agreed that having Frosty and Santa would make the event more inclusive. Scott Bamberger thinks this would be a great opportunity to learn about other people, rather than eliminate the traditions. "We have all different religions. With the separation of church and state, you must know the content of the law and the intent of the law. I see the next step coming—the Village of Warwick will not be able to put up lights soon. It is sad. This takes the joy out of the season." That certainly wasn't the purpose of the woman who spoke up. Her husband attended the PTA meeting and read a letter his wife had sent to Dr. Greenhall. "I look forward to sponsoring an event that is within the law and inclusive of all," she wrote. "This is not an argument about religion; it is about the law of our land. Discrimination is simply detestable."
Warwick Advertiser
[Link to full story]
[Editor's Note: The parent's letter to Dr. Greenhall, published at her request in the Warwick Advertiser below, explains her position and laments the reaction in her community. For other reactions, see the CNSNews story. See also the December 2004 special issue of Legal Clips, which was devoted entirely to holiday controversies and included links to free resources.]
[Parent's letter to superintendent]
CNSNews.com
By Randy Hall
[Link to full story]
[NSBA School Law pages on controversies over religious holidays]