To the Media:I am enclosing correspondence that I sent to District 150 asking for a clarification regarding the 2010-2011 calendar and the deletion of Christmas from it. Board member Jim Stowell says that the issue was addressed at the last board meeting and an apology made for the "oversight" of deleting Christmas. Yet I still receive calls and would like to know more myself.
Do any of you have any information which affirms that this issue was addressed and a public apology made or issued? I have received many calls regarding the issue and have nothing to point anyone to. I would prefer the District to make a public statement directly dealing with the issue. Please help if possible. Thanks.
The Letter
Hello,
Hope all is well with everyone.
I have received a number of calls regarding the 2010-2011 School calendar. The majority of the inquiry centers on the removal of any reference to Christmas on the calendar while simultaneously and plainly outlining Ramadan, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah which are all non-Christian holidays.
In fact after doing a review of the calendar there are 11 references to Jewish holidays, festivals and celebrations, 1 African that lasts a week, 1 Islamic that lasts almost a month, 1 Latin, and 2, Christian - protestant (Easter & Palm Sunday) and 4 Catholic (Ash Wed., All Saint's Day, Valentines Day, & St. Patrick's Day) and recognition of Thanksgiving and Halloween.
Does anyone have any idea and or reason why Christmas was deleted from your calendar and replaced by simply saying "Holiday" and "Winter Vacation"? I believe this should be addressed as the "Christ" in Christmas is not a criminal and as it represents Christianity, is as valid of a holiday to be recognized as any of the ones that the designers of the calendar thought to insert.
A public response regarding this issue is in order and will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Pastor Harvey Burnett
(309)688-6599ofc