Post by Blaque on Apr 6, 2007 10:12:56 GMT -5
EUGENE, Ore.-- A Eugene parent is pretty upset with the 4J School District.
She and her child had planned to make up easter baskets for his class, but the district said no.
Administrators says it's for two reasons, religion and the districts new wellness plan.
Stacey Jordan's house says it all.
She's a big fan of the Easter holiday.
"Easter means fun things for the kids easter egg hunts and sharing things with their friends," said Jordan.
Every year she makes easter baskets for students in her son's class.
This year her son's school said no to the baskets.
"I was very upset about it. I mean I've been doing it for six years. It's something my son really looks forward to," said Jordan.
Her ten year old son Mark is new to Gilham, but has been in the 4 J district for years.
To make matters more complicated, Mark is autistic.
"He's a very emotional kid, " said Jordan, "He's planning on coming home and being able to do 35 buckets for his classmates and his teachers and he's going to be very upset about it."
4J says schools in the district, like Gilham, aren't allowed to celebrate religious holidays.
There's also the district's new wellness policy.
"We try to keep snacks healthy and so things that traditionally where there would be lots of little candies and things are just not okay to do any more," said 4J Spokesperson Kelly McIver.
Jordan doesn't just fill her baskets with candy.
She planned to put healthy snacks and knickknacks in them as well.
She believes this is just one more way schools are taking the fun out of learning.
"It's never been an issue because to me it doesn't revolve around any religion it's just something fun for the kids and they're taking away every single thing that's fun."
Jordan and her son will still make the easter baskets.
They plan to take them to the Eugene Mission instead.
She and her child had planned to make up easter baskets for his class, but the district said no.
Administrators says it's for two reasons, religion and the districts new wellness plan.
Stacey Jordan's house says it all.
She's a big fan of the Easter holiday.
"Easter means fun things for the kids easter egg hunts and sharing things with their friends," said Jordan.
Every year she makes easter baskets for students in her son's class.
This year her son's school said no to the baskets.
"I was very upset about it. I mean I've been doing it for six years. It's something my son really looks forward to," said Jordan.
Her ten year old son Mark is new to Gilham, but has been in the 4 J district for years.
To make matters more complicated, Mark is autistic.
"He's a very emotional kid, " said Jordan, "He's planning on coming home and being able to do 35 buckets for his classmates and his teachers and he's going to be very upset about it."
4J says schools in the district, like Gilham, aren't allowed to celebrate religious holidays.
There's also the district's new wellness policy.
"We try to keep snacks healthy and so things that traditionally where there would be lots of little candies and things are just not okay to do any more," said 4J Spokesperson Kelly McIver.
Jordan doesn't just fill her baskets with candy.
She planned to put healthy snacks and knickknacks in them as well.
She believes this is just one more way schools are taking the fun out of learning.
"It's never been an issue because to me it doesn't revolve around any religion it's just something fun for the kids and they're taking away every single thing that's fun."
Jordan and her son will still make the easter baskets.
They plan to take them to the Eugene Mission instead.