On A National Note...

Christmas Ban Angers School Parents
Parent Says Santa, Christmas Colors Not Allowed In Classroom

Courtesy wesh.com

HEATHROW, Fla. -- A school in Seminole County has banned just about everything associated with Christmas.

School board policy indicates employees must be neutral when it comes to religion, and while schools can celebrate some aspects of the holidays, it can't observe or promote holidays as religious events.

But some parents said new guidelines at Heathrow Elementary are a bit extreme.

One parent said classrooms can't show Santa Claus or use traditional Christmas colors.

"You can't use red and green," a parent said. "It's ridiculous."

But some religious leaders said the season should be about teaching kids diversity.

"Are we singing 'Come All Ye Faithful' or 'Frosty The Snowman'? There's the line between religious and cultural, if you will," Congregation Beth Am Rabbi Rick Sherwin said.

There is a tree and a wreath at the Seminole County School Board headquarters.

District officials said Heathrow Elementary has chosen to celebrate the season with a winter theme for years.