Principal Might Face Legal Charges After Banning Candy Canes Because They Represent Jesus

Schools have the responsibility to respect whatever religious beliefs students have. That is why the reputation of this school Principal is not looking so good after a Christian group threatened legal action over her restriction on Christmas decors like candy canes in her school.

Elkhorn Public Schools was quick to reverse the restrictions that the Manchester Elementary School Principal Jennifer Sinclair had put in place which includes even images of Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and even candy canes.

Jennifer Sinclair apologized to the parents in a letter. However, she was placed on administrative leave for breaking the district policy.

Sinclair was in her first year as principal at the school. The concern with these restrictions started when a memo was sent to the school personnel. The memo included the lists of ‘acceptable’ and ‘not acceptable’ holiday practices on the school premises.

Santas or Christmas items (clipart) on worksheets are number one on the list of the not acceptable practices. This was followed by christmas trees in classrooms, elf on the shelf since these are Christmas-related, singing Christmas Carols, playing Christmas music, and sending a Scholastic book that is a Christmas book because that too is Christmas-related.

The memo goes on to ban making a Christmas ornament as a gift as this assumes that the family has a Christmas tree which assumes they celebrate Christmas. The memo adds: “I challenge the thought of, “Well they can just hang it somewhere else.” Poor Olaf from the movie ‘Frozen’ which most kids love is also not allowed according to the principal.

In fact, even the candy canes were off-limits because as explained in the memo, “Historically, the shape is a ‘J’ for Jesus.”

The memo asked all personnel to adhere to the policy to “prevent the pain of me straight questioning something you have actually copied, published and had your kids do.” According to the memo, the intent of these restrictions was to help develop an inclusive environment for all students that came from diverse religions.

The memo was then signed:
“The (Unintended) Grinch who took Christmas (from Manchester).”

The memo did not sit well with some of the school staff and most importantly the parents of the children who are attending this school. They immediately forwarded their concern to Liberty Counsel.

The Christian advocacy organization Liberty Counsel published it and also sent the school district a “demand letter” that urges the superintendent “to immediately overrule and specifically disavow the sweeping directive banning Christmas holiday items, and require Principal Sinclair to undertake a review of District policy and the law.”

The district responded to the issue by putting Sinclair on leave. They also issued a statement regarding the incident. It reads:

“Elkhorn Public Schools District administration promptly addressed the issue at Manchester Elementary School regarding the memo that was sent by the principal to Manchester elementary staff. The memo does not reflect the policy of Elkhorn Public Schools regarding holiday symbols in the school. The District has since clarified expectations and provided further direction to staff in alignment with District policy. This issue was limited to Manchester Elementary School and did not arise at any other schools within the District.”

No other schools within the district were impacted. Also, the school district has yet to comment about when or whether Sinclair would go back to her post.