In an attempt to be more inclusive, one school's bold new policy [1] has ended up sparking outrage [2] among some parents. Albert McMahon Elementary School in Mission, British Columbia, announced that first and second grade students won't be making crafts for Mother's or Father's Day [3] this year.
The school sent students home with a letter explaining that they aren't celebrating the holidays this year in an effort to keep children from different families from feeling left out. "In an effort to celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and also nurture our students who are part of non-traditional families, we have decided to encourage those celebrations to take place at home," the note read. "Due to this, the children will not be making gifts at school to give on Mother's Day [4] and Father's Day. We feel each family knows that best way to celebrate with their own family."
According to Mission Public School District Superintendendent Angus, Wilson, the school came to this decision not as a political statement, but after much thought after a recent event. "The reasoning wasn't some cabal or some political plan," Wilson told King 5 [6]. "Instead, there has been a recent trauma involving a student and its [sic] parents."
Although the new policy was enacted to reflect the diversity of their students' households, some parents are not pleased that neither moms nor dads will be celebrated in school. "I think disappointed is an understatement," Roy Glebe posted on Facebook [7] along with a photo of the school's letter. "I don't understand why we, as Canadians, need to give up our traditions that have been passed through generations. I welcome all races and ethnicities, but forcing us to give up things that are important to us as Canadians is crap. And it doesn't even have anything to do with religion? You can't celebrate your Mom and Dad?"
Do you think this school should be applauded for protecting students or is it going too far in an attempt to keep kids from feeling left out?