Santa, He's Not Jesus in a Costume

Santa Claus stood behind a curtain on the stage when Fawn Hollow Elementary School threw its annual Holiday Party last year. And as the Board of Education drafts a new religious policy, some worry that St. Nick will become even more marginalized — or disappear altogether.

Jennifer Aguilar, co-president of the Parent Teacher Organization, said the topic of religious observances and displays came up at the last PTO meeting.

"Last year we were told we couldn't have Santa," she said at the Board of Education meeting Tuesday night. "We had it, but we're concerned we wont this year."

Board chairman, Darrell Trump, assured her that revisions are still being made and that a vote on a final policy was at least two meetings into the future.

"Santa is very Americanized," Aguilar said. "He's not Jesus in a costume. If we take it away, we're just a white school with no beliefs. We have to know about the world we live in."

The party also includes Hanukkah.

A Fawn Hollow parent asked that the policy be as open as possible. If other religions or groups had a problem with the party, he said a way should be found to include their beliefs.

Though, he also added that it's rare in life that everyone is happy.

"I don't consider Santa Claus to be a religious symbol," he said, "but it has become important like Hanukkah is and some non-religious holidays like Kwanzaa."

In the spring, the Board of Education's policy committee started crafting a policy on religion in public schools with the help of Assistant Superintendent Richard Canfield, who obtained copies of existing policies to use as a model.

The school board also sought the input from religious leaders of different faiths in Monroe and the surrounding area.