BOSTON -- Some Medway, Mass., parents reacted with anger Friday after school officials, who were concerned about embracing diversity, had school children refer to Christmas trees as "magical trees."
NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that the move sparked a controversy in the town that carried over into a holiday concert at the elementary school. The Medway Middle School ordered children not to sing any religious songs in Friday's holiday concert.
"It was disappointing. There was a Chanukah song sung, and no mention of Christmas. I feel if you are going to make it a winter program, then make it a winter program and don't have Chanukah mentioned, either," parent Laura Kaplan said.
"In fact, when the children finished singing, many people in the audience yelled out, 'Merry Christmas.' I mean, it is Christmas," parent Dan Baker said.
The students' sixth-grade holiday play was also changed.
"It is just three classes, with no religious base. There happened to be a Christmas tree that they had to call a holiday tree and then a magical tree. They had red and green elf hats, not Christmas hats, just red and green elf hats, and the mother was told that she had to change them to green and white hats," parent Tracy Goldrick said.
Parents said that their children had been practicing songs from the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" for months, but then the school administration decided to yank them.
"I think it's fine to mention Kwanza, Chanukah, Christmas, New Year's and whatever else, because I think the world has enough problems. I think there are more important issues going on," teacher Sue Barard-Goldberg said.
The move came after two parents complained about references to Christmas in the program.
"It's sad that it has to get to this point. A few people are ruining it for the rest of the town," said Millie Duncan, one of the student's grandmothers, said.
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I would say unbelievable, but unfortauntely it is not. I may be wrong, but other than the name, what do Christmas Trees have to do with the religious aspect of Christmas? Even worse, what is wrong with red and green hats?
But worst of all, how do they get away with letting the kids sing a Chanukah song after not allowing any Christmas songs?
The world is going to heck.
