By libby kesil
Staff Writer
FAIR HAVEN – The holiday show and music curriculum at Sickles School have been modified in response to concerns raised by parents and teachers.
Superintendent William Presutti said that representatives from Sickles met and developed guidelines for the staff to follow to make curriculum and holiday program selections which offer cultural balance and variety.
He said they took the school’s policy — the recognition of religious beliefs and customs — and went step by step to determine the guidelines to be used.
"I just have to say that the discussion we had with the teachers was really very good," said Presutti. "Everyone is committed to the balance."
He said that "The Little Drummer Boy" was chosen as the song representing the Christmas holiday in the show and it will be introduced by the poem "Star in the Sky."
Jean Buck, a board member and teacher, said that she and her colleagues balance their teaching of the different cultures by incorporating references to supplement educational content throughout the year.
"All year I am doing something to hit the different cultures. Teachers do it September through June. They hit all the cultures. Otherwise, teaching the same thing and applying it to different cultures can take too long."
Buck read the Board of Education policy on the recognition of religious beliefs which states that "no religious belief or non-belief shall be promoted in the regular curriculum or in district-sponsored courses, programs or activities, the holidays throughout the year which have both a religious and a secular basis may be recognized in the school by use of material having secular or cultural significance." It also states that the "instructional program of the school should inform students of the many beliefs and customs stemming from religious, racial, ethnic and cultural heritages," and that "Music, art, literature and drama having religious themes or bases are permitted as part of the curriculum for school-sponsored activities and programs if presented in an objective manner and as a traditional part of the cultural and religious heritage of the particular holiday."
Margaret Graf, a board member said that the first-grade teachers have requested that for next year the first-grade assembly be moved to later in the year. She said they felt that December is not a good month for assembly because of the lack of preparation time with all the half-days and Thanksgiving in November and the additional pressure of the holiday season. In place of the existing show, there would be a holiday assembly for all grades presented by outside groups, such as a play or a musical performance or a sing-along.
"This will enable the students and teachers to enjoy the holiday program with a lot less stress," said Graf.
When asked by a parent if this decision to move the assembly to a different month was made as a result of demands to change the content of the holiday show, Graf said it was not, but that it was a discussion the teachers have had for several years.
Graf also said that the decision to move the assembly was a teacher and administration decision, not a decision of the board. She assured the parent that the students would still be learning holiday songs during the holiday season, despite the rescheduling of the assembly.
Presutti said that he wanted to make a clarification regarding the Christmas song, "La Fiesta de la Posada,’ performed in last year’s show, for which there was a misconception about the lyrics being in Spanish.
"The background of the song is Mary and Joseph were looking for a place for the birth of Jesus," said Presutti. "It is mostly in English. Only six words are in Spanish.
"In my opinion the song represented the tradition of Christmas," he continued. "There are some who agree with me and others who don’t, and I respect that."