Cambridge Public School ....Update

[The Cobra]

Cobra.....
Thanx to the original post by whiteheather I`ll try and keep you all updated on the fight re closing of Christmas festivities by a Cambridge Ont. PUBLIC school. Public schools are funded by taxpayers money and every parent everywhere should be furious that the decision made was done so without public approval. The decision was made NOT to have the traditional Christmas concert by the principal-----MHAIRI ROWLAND.....figures!!!

I absolutely hate myself for thinking the way I do at this moment...but it figures!!!


CP

Christmas Parents’ anger as Ontario school replaces Christmas concert with non- denominational February fest

Postmedia News Dec 2, 2011 – 9:22 AM ET | Last Updated: Dec 2, 2011 10:47 AM ET


The school said in a newsletter sent to parents this week that the annual Christmas concert is being moved so every student can participate


By Matthew Pearson

OTTAWA — Parents have criticized a decision by an Ottawa-area school to cancel its annual Christmas concert and replace it with a non-denominational winter fest – in February.

Much to the dismay of some families, there will be no Christmas concert at Cambridge Public School this year.

Instead, the school — in Embrun, Ont, southeast of Ottawa — will host a holiday-themed craft night later this month and hold a concert in February.

Kelly McParland: Ottawa school right to ban Christmas concert

The school said in a newsletter sent to parents this week that the annual concert is being moved so every student can participate.

“As our school community continues to grow, we welcome more families who do not celebrate Christmas. It is our belief that these students deserve the opportunity to take part in the concert experience too,” says the email, signed by principal Mhairi Rowland.

Nevertheless, traditionalists have balked, saying that the school’s concert was a prime source of Christmas cheer.

“For me and my kids, Christmas is really important,” said Mary Ellen Schellenberg. “I don’t think we should lose out on what we believe in, especially when it’s a small group of people who sit out by choice.”

“If we accept their cultures and beliefs, our culture and beliefs should be accepted as well,” she said.

The mother of three Cambridge students — who also attended the school and remembers with fondness the annual Christmas concert — emailed the principal as soon as she heard about the decision.

Ms. Schellenberg isn’t a religious person, and said people in Canada celebrate the holiday for different reasons. “We can appreciate it without it just being religious.”

Laura Bond said she is shocked by the decision.

For her and her family, the school’s Christmas concert kicks off the holiday season and puts everyone in a festive mood. “It’s just something I thought would never go away,” she said.

Ms. Bond wondered why the concert couldn’t just broaden its musical horizons to include everyone’s traditions. “I have no problem with them putting on a ‘holiday’ concert and celebrating every culture; I would welcome it actually,” she said.

Neither parent is pleased by the school’s alternate plan and say they have no intention of attending the December 15 craft night. “If I wanted to do crafts, we could just do crafts here,” Ms. Bond said.

And while she and Ms. Schellenberg both admit it’s too late to plan a concert this year, they want the school to reconsider bringing it back next year. “I don’t want it to be gone completely,” Ms. Bond said.

A small number of the school’s 206 students don’t celebrate Christmas, the parents say.

That means these children must sit out, sometimes in the principal’s office, while the rest of the students rehearse for the concert — something the principal and staff seem to think is unfair.

Ms. Rowland could not be reached for comment Thursday. But Caroll Carkner, the Upper Canada District School Board trustee for the area, said she supports the school’s decision.

“They’re just taking a different approach,” she said. “They have the children’s best interests at heart.”



BTW....Gary Goodyear is the MP of the Cambridge area

[The Cobra]

I`ll refrain from any comment as I`m sure it very well will be deleted as per site rules regarding religion or politics. I`ll just post a quick set of facts and YOU decide what`s going on in Cambridge, Ontario CANADA.
Mr Mhairi Rowland, principal, cancelled Christmas celebrations at a Cambridge PUBLIC school and opted for a "festival in February".

Quick Facts
Milad un-Nabi is a gazetted holiday in India and marks the Prophet Muhammad's birthday.
Name
Milad un-Nabi
Alternative name
Prophet's Birthday
Milad un-Nabi 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Milad un-Nabi 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Note: During a gazetted holiday, government offices and most businesses are closed so people have a day off work.

Maybe a coincidence????????????...this Canadian thinks not.

Staff........sorry if I bent rules but Cobra wouldn`t be Cobra if he kept quiet about this travesty. I`ll of course respect any decision you make re this post.

[whiteheather]

I agree with cobra. it is a shame that our traditions are interfered with, i applaud the parents in their objections........Christmas is the spirit of giving. so to you all from Whiteheather I give you All A Merry Christmas. and a safe one

[Willow]

This really upset me, I always loved going to the kids Christmas Concerts they were a big part of our Christmas's. So I have c/p ed this to my FB page and have e-mailed it to all my contacts asking them to forward it too. This is something everyone needs to know. First I saw of it was here..so Thanks for informing us

[hutch]

thank you Cobra & Anyonomus

[Night_Predator]

I`ll refrain from any comment as I`m sure it very well will be deleted as per site rules regarding religion or politics............................sorry if I bent rules but Cobra wouldn`t be Cobra if he kept quiet about this travesty. I`ll of course respect any decision you make re this post.

Cobra I just re-read the rules again and I didn't find anything about prohibiting posting on religion or politics. Am I missing something?

Anyway I fully agree with you. We have had these same issues here in the US and especially CA and NY.

[Terryl]

It's an unwritten rule, best not to discuss religion or politics amongst a group, anywhere, as the discussion will get way out of hand and some feelings may be hurt.

One example is a feud between me and one of my brother-in-laws over politics, it got out of hand, thus I am staying home by my self for Xmas, so the family's can gather and enjoy Xmas with out me accidentally throwing him under a bus or something else just as nasty.

[jr33]

All I can say is unbeleaveable!...looks like we are going to loose our country.

[The Cobra]

All I can say is unbeleaveable!...looks like we are going to loose our country.

Only if WE allow it to happen. APATHY is our worst enemy.

[The Cobra]

This really upset me, I always loved going to the kids Christmas Concerts they were a big part of our Christmas's. So I have c/p ed this to my FB page and have e-mailed it to all my contacts asking them to forward it too. This is something everyone needs to know. First I saw of it was here..so Thanks for informing us

To my own personal knowledge there have been over 1,000 emails to MP Gary Goodyear`s office pulling their votes next time around.

[The Cobra]

Thank you "Any"---tough call I know.

[The Cobra]

thank you Cobra & Anyonomus

thanks belongs to whiteheather for posting the original story...

[The Cobra]

Cobra ...Just a little article I picked up on and that it seems many are interested...instead of printing my own biased (LOL) opinions I decided to print from News alerts..


Farzana Hassan

Author
GET UPDATES FROM Farzana Hassan

The Ban on Christmas Begins
Posted: 12/10/11 11:59 AM ET

Read more
Cambridge Public School , Mhairi Rowlands , Christmas Concert Cancelled , Non-Denominational Christmas , Ottawa Christmas Concert , Ottawa School , Religion In Schools , Canada News


An Ottawa school recently DECIDED to cancel a Christmas concert in favour of a "non-denominational" February Fest, much to the chagrin of many at the school community. The intent behind the decision was "inclusiveness" for certain minority cultures. A craft night will now replace what could have been a beautiful display of the magnificently joyous sounds and sights of Christmas. Principal Mhairi Rowland of Cambridge Public School, Ottawa explained her decision in the following words:

"As our school community continues to grow, we welcome more families who do not celebrate Christmas. It is our belief that these students deserve the opportunity to take part in the concert experience too."

Lovely sentiments, but do members of various minority faith communities even want a concert of their own?

One must also ask if choral music is part of the cultural heritage of individuals who celebrate Eid, Diwali or Baisakhi? Choral music is traditionally associated with Christmas, but is it also associated with Eid or Diwali? One would imagine not.

Indeed each religious community has its own distinct style of celebrating its religious holidays. The distinctive feature of Christmas is carol singing and choir music among other festivities. It is therefore surprising that Principal Rowland feels compelled to deliver a concert to those who have no tradition of choral music, while denying the opportunity to those who do.

Furthermore, should accommodation of whatever constitutes as non-denominational mean the obliteration of Christian culture? Why can't "inclusiveness" also include Christmas, which signifies peace to all anyway?

Both Christian and non-Christian Canadians welcome the Christmas season each year.

Many secular Canadians and non-believing Christians also celebrate Christmas as part of our Canadian heritage. Non-Christian Canadians know that goodwill is universal, that the spirit of charity and accommodation that pervades Christmas extends far beyond Christian communities. A Christmas concert is simply a beautiful reflection of that ebullient generosity. And while the singing may contain some religious content, songs like "Let It Snow" or "Jingle Bell Rock" can hardly be seen as offending the religious sentiments of minority groups.

Moreover, no one is ever barred from or forced into participating in Christmas festivities or music-making. Cambridge Public School has a small minority of students who do not celebrate Christmas. It seems grossly unfair to deny the majority the right to celebrate its religious and cultural heritage because of a few who don't. Perhaps the minority students can be compensated for their understanding and patience in other ways, but let the school revise its decision of cancelling the concert.

Let Christmas roll! It is truly "the most wonderful time of the year."

[The Cobra]

CP from The Review

Canadian Newspaper Association
Decision to cancel Christmas concert sparks frustration


Dateline:
EMBRUN
Lianne Lahaie

To the dismay of some parents and students, Cambridge Public School has decided it won't be hosting its annual Christmas concert this year because it doesn't want to alienate students and families who do not celebrate Christmas.

Instead, the school is planning to host a holiday-themed craft night later this month and hold a non-denominational concert in February.

In a newsletter sent home to parents last week, school principal Mhairi Rowland said the annual concert is being moved so every student can participate.

"As our school community continues to grow, we welcome more families who do not celebrate Christmas. It is our belief that these students deserve the opportunity to take part in the concert experience too," Rowland stated in the newsletter.

The school noted a small number of its 206 students don't celebrate Christmas. That means these children must sit out, sometimes in the principal's office, while the rest of the students rehearse for the concert, something the principal and staff seem to think is unfair.

Rowland could not be reached for comment, but Caroll Carkner, the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) trustee for the area, said she supports the school's decision.

"They're just taking a different approach," she said. "They have the children's best interests at heart."

On Friday, December 2, Terry Simzer, director of communications with the UCDSB, issued a press release "to correct misleading media reports regarding Cambridge Public School in Embrun."

He said some media mistakenly reported that students will not be able to celebrate Christmas traditions at this time of year.

"The truth is a number of activities are planned including the Christmas tree decorating contest, a family craft evening complete with a drumming session and carol sing-along," Simzer remarked. "Students will also visit a local seniors' residence to sing carols."

Simzer stressed the only change is that the annual school concert has been postponed to February to ensure that all students have the opportunity to prepare for and participate in that presentation.

"This decision supports inclusivity...it demonstrates respect for all cultures," Simzer concluded.

Many parents were angered by the decision, saying the school's concert was a prime source of Christmas cheer.

"For me and my kids, Christmas is really important," Mary Ellen Schellenberg told media. "I don't think we should lose out on what we believe in, especially when it's a small group of people who sit out by choice."

Schellenberg said she isn't a religious person, but said the Christmas concert can be appreciated without being religious.

The popular morning talk show, The Chatroom on 580 CFRA, was flooded with calls on the issue on Friday, December 2. The news radio station also posted link on its Facebook page asking people to share their views on the issue.

Of the nearly 100 comments on the issue, not one person was in favour of the school's decision to cancel the Christmas concert. Many parents posted the phone number of the school and urged people to call and voice their displeasure.


Cobra ......Terry Simzer sounds to me like he should run for political office and supply all his constituents with hip waders ....

[Night_Predator]

It's an unwritten rule, best not to discuss religion or politics amongst a group, anywhere, as the discussion will get way out of hand and some feelings may be hurt.

One example is a feud between me and one of my brother-in-laws over politics, it got out of hand, thus I am staying home by my self for Xmas, so the family's can gather and enjoy Xmas with out me accidentally throwing him under a bus or something else just as nasty.

I understand completely the possible problems and hurt feelings that might ensue from such posts Terryl. Perhaps it should be implicitly added to the rules so there is a total understanding and no mistakes made. Or even have an area in the forum in which people can post such views and others can decide if they want to view and respond.

[mclovin]

Well Willow my wife and I enjoyed our grandsons Christmas concert last night in which they preformed many different cultures of Christmas from around the world and it was great to see,this is very sad that they chose to go this way at that school and I'd like to say what I really think :tape::tape::tape: but I won't :D


This really upset me, I always loved going to the kids Christmas Concerts they were a big part of our Christmas's. So I have c/p ed this to my FB page and have e-mailed it to all my contacts asking them to forward it too. This is something everyone needs to know. First I saw of it was here..so Thanks for informing us

[The Cobra]

That`s so right Mac, there are many options open to rationally thinking people rather than the road this person chose. This is a school principal who chose this option, one person, you`d think a...

[The Cobra]

This really upset me, I always loved going to the kids Christmas Concerts they were a big part of our Christmas's. So I have c/p ed this to my FB page and have e-mailed it to all my contacts asking them to forward it too. This is something everyone needs to know. First I saw of it was here..so Thanks for informing us


Thanks Willow for your participation by emailing this story out-------I`ve done the same and told them where to let their voices be heard. Apathy isn`t in my dictionary as I`m sure MP Gary Goodyear knows by now. LOL

[The Cobra]

Well kids it looks like Embrun, Ontario, Canada isn`t the place you want to celebrate Christmas. They have gone and held steadfast in their canceling of Christmas festivities.



Dateline:
EMBRUN
Lianne Lahaie

To the dismay of some parents and students, Cambridge Public School has decided it won't be hosting its annual Christmas concert this year because it doesn't want to alienate students and families who do not celebrate Christmas.

Instead, the school is planning to host a holiday-themed craft night later this month and hold a non-denominational concert in February.

In a newsletter sent home to parents last week, school principal Mhairi Rowland said the annual concert is being moved so every student can participate.

"As our school community continues to grow, we welcome more families who do not celebrate Christmas. It is our belief that these students deserve the opportunity to take part in the concert experience too," Rowland stated in the newsletter.

The school noted a small number of its 206 students don't celebrate Christmas. That means these children must sit out, sometimes in the principal's office, while the rest of the students rehearse for the concert, something the principal and staff seem to think is unfair.


Cobra.....Finally Ms Rowland spoke out in a newsletter-----but bent the truth mightily ...in her saying that 206 families didn`t celebrate Christmas she omitted knowingly that only 9 kids didn`t actually participate in the festivities and that only 9 kids had asked to sit in the office during the concert. Nine that is...PLUS Mhairi Rowland to be fair and accurate.

[mclovin]

It's sad how a few can spoil it for the many...:grr:

[The Cobra]

It's sad how a few can spoil it for the many...:grr:

Yeah, that`s certainly right esp in this case Mac.......I hate to say it, but the more I read on it the more I came to the conclusion that Ms Rowland had a personal agenda all along and that she merely used the 9 kids involved to achieve said agenda. She pulled it off it seems despite all the complaints of the overwhelming majority of Canadians----and she did it right here on Canadian soil.---Disgraceful, shame on Embrun.