This time outside Chicago. From CBS-2/FARK

Oak Lawn Schools May Cancel Holiday Traditions
School District To Discuss Possible Cancellation Or Renaming Of Holiday Celebrations


(CBS) OAK LAWN, Ill. A southwest suburban school district has taken action, responding to the concerns of a parent who is Arabic.

But now, as CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports, other parents are angry that traditional school holidays will be renamed or even eliminated.

"That does not represent all the Muslims, all of the Arabs at that school," said Qais Nofel, the father of a student in Ridgeland School District 122.

There was some heated discussion between parents outside Columbus Manor Elementary School in Oak Lawn on Friday. The thought of no more traditional holiday celebrations has many parents really upset.

For now, children in Ridgeland School District 122 will celebrate fall festival instead of Halloween and winter festival instead of Christmas.

Brenda Elvidge said, "It's not fair to our kids. This is America and that's an American tradition."

The decision affects the children at four elementary schools in Oak Lawn and one junior high school in Bridgeview.

The district has a 30 percent Arabic population. The superintendent says the reason for the change in tradition comes after one parent wanted Ramadan decorations put up inside Columbus Manor Elementary. They were taken down.

Superintendent Tom Smyth said, "I go back to our policy which says that public schools are to remain neutral in this respect."

Meantime, Arab children are being allowed to pray during what's being called their own time, that's lunch time, during Ramadan.

Parent June Quigley said, "They get to pray in our schools. That is religion in a public school."

Arab-American parents have different views on the issue.

Sala Abour said, "To take away Halloween and Christmas from little kids, that is very wrong."

Nofel said, "We go and we celebrate the holidays and traditions here, but we do have the right to be Muslims as well."

Other parents say the controversy is overshadowing what really needs to be addressed at all five schools in the district.

Ronnie Carroll said, "The fact that they are cash strapped. Our classroom size is way above the average mean, 38 children in our first grade classroom. The concern should be our school, not the whole holiday issues."

Those issues along with the holiday controversy are going to be addressed at a school board meeting on Tuesday. Members will decide if holidays will be celebrated or not.

Meantime, the Illinois PTA district director says the state is now investigating this issue and there's a meeting with the superintendent next week.

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South Park. Season 1. Mr. Fuckin' Hankey. Where have you people been?

wow....and that is where I am hoping to work when I decide to move back to Chicago. (within the next 2 years)

This country and it's political correctness has turned us into the biggest bunch of pussies. Maybe that parent should move their child into another school or just stfu and realize celebrating Christmas is more a cultural expression these days than a religious one. And Halloween? Sure, maybe it'd be religious if we were Pagans, and I'm sure that parent would find unsuitable as well. Maybe they should move to Europe where Muslims bitch about everything and get their way.

If I went to their country, I wouldn't bitch about Ramadan and wearing burkas. Why? Because that's what goes on there. Don't like the customs here in The States? Get the fuck out.

You make me want to be a better man.

this is where everyone assails o'reilly and points out his misunderstanding of X-mas and traditional American values of being under siege, right?

I want a pony for Christmas!