Santa Welcome & Morning Pledge Returns After P.S. 169 "Misunderstanding"

Assemblyman Felix Ortiz on a previous visit to P.S. 169 (Courtesy Assemblyman Ortiz)

Talk about a rough start to the week.

The internet exploded on Monday, after news broke that P.S. 169 principal Eujin Jaela Kim banned the discussion of seasonal holidays and the Pledge of Allegiance at the Sunset Park elementary school.

“We definitely can’t say Christmas, nothing with Christmas on it, nothing with Santa,” P.S. 169 PTA president Mimi Ferrer explained to the New York Post. “No angels. We can’t even have a star because it can represent a religious system, like the Star of David.”

In a letter posted to Facebook, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, who often visits P.S. 169 during the holiday season as Santa Claus, reached out to Chancellor Farina to request that the Department of Education step in to help rectify the situation at P.S. 169.

Chancellor Carmen Farina
Tweed Courthouse
52 Chambers Street
New York, NY 10007

Dear Chancellor Farina:

Let’s not spoil the holidays and the happiness it brings our children.

I was surprised to learn that PS 169 Principal Eujin Jaela Kim may have limited or prevented Thanksgiving and Christmas season events and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at the school.

While we carefully maintain a distance from religious observances in public institutions, we are able to celebrate holidays with visits by Santa Claus, menorah displays, singing carols and other similar festivities. Our courts have long recognized these social icons as part of our culture.

Let’s make sure that our students, parents and teachers are able to bring “joy to the world” during this special time of year.

Please clarify the Department of Education’s policy in this area so that there is no further confusion.

Regards,

Felix W. Ortiz
Assistant Speaker
New York State Assembly

According to a representative from the Department of Education, though, the entire situation was just a big misunderstanding, and confirmed on Tuesday that Santa, the Pledge, and other traditional holiday symbols were welcome at P.S. 169.

“We work to foster inclusive communities in our schools that welcome students and families, and celebrate the diverse values and traditions of all New Yorkers,” DOE spokesperson Devora Kaye said in a statement.

“This principal continues to work closely with her school community to ensure PS 169 is an inclusive school, meet students’ and families’ needs, and celebrate the values that make her community and New York City great.”

P.S. 169’s homepage was also updated on Monday, clarifying their position on Santa, Thanksgiving, and the Pledge.

PS169 has sent new guidance to staff allowing the use of Santa Claus as a part of a multicultural display. In addition, the school has never had a policy against any Thanksgiving celebrations in the school. Finally, PS 169 does recite the Pledge of Allegiance in school classrooms as well as at major school events. It will also be recited over the PA system every morning going forward.

Assemblyman Ortiz celebrated the decision via Twitter on Monday night.

https://twitter.com/Felixwortiz/status/676592299518771200

Despite these concessions from P.S. 169 and the Department of Education, the disconnect between Ms. Kim and her school community doesn’t appear to be easing. An online petition seeking to remove Ms. Kim as principal appeared on Monday afternoon. At the time of this post, it has received more than 2,400 signatures.

“The parents and community is tired of their concerns since 2014 being ignored,” the petition stated. “We would also like to see PS169’s great legacy of traditions and celebrations brought back.

“We grow as a people by learning and embracing each other’s cultures and beliefs, we gain nothing by being taught to banish other people’s cultures and beliefs. We gain nothing by being ruled by a dictator.”

We reached out to Ms. Kim for comment, but have not received a response.

What are your thoughts, parents? It’s pretty obvious that Ms. Kim missed the mark on her interpretation of the DOE’s holiday regulations.

Beyond that, though, the lack of communication between the school and its community is disheartening. As one reader commented on Monday, “I really think this is more a story of a new principal who did not show enough respect to the existing PTA president and school community.”

Do you think it’s possible at this point to repair the relationship and move forward, or is the divide too great?