The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously voted to pass a resolution supporting the passage of an Assembly bill, which would allow school districts to teach about traditional winte
FREEHOLD — The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously voted to pass a resolution supporting the passage of an Assembly bill, which would allow school districts to teach about traditional winter celebrations.
The freeholders’ vote in favor of Assembly Bill 4481, sponsored by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer (R-12), took place at the freeholder regular Dec. 10 meeting.
”School districts should be awarded the freedom to teach about winter celebrations and decorate their schools and classrooms for the holidays,” said Freeholder John P. Curley. “The winter holidays are a part of our culture and promote peace, joy, generosity and love. These are excellent values to instill in our children.”
The bill as proposed provides school districts with the option of educating students about the history of traditional winter celebrations and allows students, faculty and staff to offer traditional greetings regarding the celebrations such as ‘Merry Christmas,’ ‘Happy Hanukkah’ and ‘Happy Holidays,’ according to the release.
The measure would also allow a school district to display scenes or symbols on school property associated with winter celebrations, including a Menorah or a Christmas image such as a nativity or Christmas tree.
”The bill states that more than one religion, or a secular scene, must be included in every display to ensure that the display is not partial to one religion,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “The purpose of this legislation is to bring the holidays back into our schools, but in a manner that is respectful to everyone.”
In addition to holiday displays, the legislation would allow school districts to include musical selections with religious themes at winter or holiday programs if the winter or holiday program includes musical selections of more than one religion or one religion and music secular in nature.
The measure has previously been endorsed by Robbinsville Mayor David Fried, who made headlines earlier this month when he wrote an open letter to residents affirming the township tree lighting event’s strong bond with the Christmas holiday by officially designating it a Christmas tree and Menorah lighting celebration.
”I have received feedback from members of our community offended that the Christmas tree lighting … has been advertised as a ‘Tree Lighting Ceremony,’ with no mention of Christmas,” Mayor Fried wrote.
He noted further that the township had historically held the event that subsequently became known as a “Holiday Tree Celebration” and ultimately a “Tree Lighting Ceremony” due to “concerns of political correctness.”
”Personally, I feel the politicization of Christmas has gone too far,” he added, noting the township is respectful of every religion represented in the community.
The mayor’s stance also comes on the heels of controversy in nearby Bordentown, where religious songs in a school concert became a topic of debate.
The MacFarland Intermediate School’s winter concert, ironically scheduled for the same evening as Robbinsville’s tree lighting, was originally scheduled to include the songs “Bring the Torch,” “Los Reyes de Oriente” and “We Sing Gloria.”
Initially, the district banned the songs after a parent had brought the attention to the building principal who in turn went to Superintendent Dr. Constance Bauer.
The songs were briefly re-introduced to the concert before the district opted to leave the decision to staff organizing the concert.
Ultimately, a list of songs to be performed at the concert did not include the original three songs, but did include “Silent Night” and “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” both of which have lyrics referring to Christ as savior.
The Bordentown Regional Board of Education will examine its policy on the matter, but was unable to do so prior to the concert.