A California elementary school's principal recently canceled the yearly field trip to meet Santa Claus after a parent complained that the event did not include all religions. This caused some parents to pull their kids from school on December 18, Friday, to take their own special trip to visit Saint Nicholas at a local coffee shop. Many of the school's parents saw the cancellation as a war on Christmas, while others argued that calling off the field trip was the right move.
For 10 years the kindergarten students at Sartorette Elementary School have followed a Yuletide tradition of walking to the Big E Café coffee shop. They would drink a cup of hot chocolate and also meet with Santa Claus.
The San Jose mother Talia who complained to the school district is Jewish and a certified teacher herself. She told KPIX-TV that the school curriculum should be designed for all students and teach about all holidays, according to KEYT.
The district officials did not report the number of students who were absent from class due to the proxy field trip.
Some local residents showed their support for the boycotting families. Jennifer Schachner argued that the school should have waited to change the policy next year because several kids were already excited about the field trip to meet Santa Claus, according to ABC7.
In fact, certain parents have challenged the school board about its decision to cancel the yearly trip, and blamed the Jewish mother for trying to ruin Christmas. Meanwhile, the mother claims that the other parents have bullied her.
In a similar recent controversy, a Kentucky elementary school banned all versions of a Charlie Brown Christmas after receiving one complaint. The school director took the action after getting advice from lawyers.