BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada – A Canadian father is speaking out after his child’s primary school canceled Mother’s Day and Father’s Day activities to “nurture our students who are part of non-traditional families.”
Roy Glebe, father of a youngster in Vancouver, posted an image of a note sent home with his child from McMahon Elementary School in British Columbia canceling Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations this year, as well as his thoughts on the decision, Honey9 reports.
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“As Mother’s Day and Father’s Day approach we have met as a Primary (Grade 1 and 2) team to discuss our core values. 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 school wrote in the note to parents.
“Due to this, the children will not be making gifts at school to give on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We feel each family knows the best way to celebrate with their own family.”
Glebe thinks it’s too much.
“Had to post this. I think disappointed is an understatement. This will be the first year that we don’t get gifts crafted with love from our kids, and since we only have one little one now it makes it all that much worse,” he posted to Facebook.
“I don’t understand why we, as Canadians, need to give up our traditions that have been passed down through generations,” Glebe continued. “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?”
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Glebe’s post sparked public backlash against the school online, prompting a response from the school district superintendent, Angus Wilson.
Wilson told CBC there’s a good reason behind the note, but didn’t elaborate on what it is.
“The intention, as I understand it, has to do with a trauma that has been experienced at the school fairly recently,” he said. “It has nothing to do with the value of Mother’s Day or civic holidays.”
“There’s a few issues with how this was communicated out,” Wilson said. “I’m going to be working with the school on how we communicate things home to parents and have appropriate dialogue with them about things like this.”
Regardless, parents who commented about the change online were not impressed.
“Teachers could embrace the diversity and have the children make a craft for their caregiver. Why take away all the things that make kids happy and smile?” Cassie Prendergast posted to Facebook.
“I agree,” Susan Bourne added. “There are ways to compromise without eliminating completely.”
“Wow … this is just insane and wrong on every level!” Dan Trites wrote.
“This is just sad on so many levels. My most cherished moments are the handmade gifts my son makes me at school,” Tammy Stauffer-Jacobsen posted. “I honestly can’t believe this is even a topic to be discussed.”
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