Santa Claus Won’t Be Coming To This Town: No St. Nick At Elementary School Concert Because A Parent Complained

Parents at a Boston-area elementary school were alarmed to find a rather noticeable absence at this year’s annual “holiday” concert. Santa Claus, who usually makes an appearance at the end of the concert, was absent this year because a parent complained.

Principal Jennifer Ford of the Andrew Peabody School in Cambridge sent out an email to parents on Thursday, telling them that there would be no Santa Claus this year, according to CBS Boston.

“I am writing to you today to inform you of a change in our concert series this winter. Our First through Fourth grade concert as well as our Kindergarten concert will not include a visit from Santa Claus this year.”

The Boston Globe reports that parent reaction to the new “No Santa Claus” policy has been mixed.

Merline Sylvain-Williams was saddened by the cancellation.

“It’s too bad. I like to see to the joy in the children’s faces when they see him.”

Parent Robert Thompson, however, was outraged.

“I don’t think it’s right, and I know a lot of people agree with me. It seems like that’s what’s going on in America – the squeaky wheel gets oil. It’s a shame.”

Other parents, while not exactly agreeing with the “No Santa Claus” policy, can sort-of see the point.

Rachel Begley doesn’t think it’s the school’s duty to provide a Santa at the school, even though her son will be disappointed.

“I think that it’s a shame we can’t all celebrate each other’s cultures and Santa is a big part of Christmas-time.”

Parent Mohammed Hassan seemed to take the view that Santa is less of a religious symbol and more of a cultural one.

“Kids like that, it’s fun for kids, which is good.”

Regardless of the parents’ outrage – or lack thereof – Cambridge schools superintendent Jeffrey Young stands by the principal’s decision.

“Our mission is around education. Santa’s not on the top of my list. I just don’t know why he has to be in the school.”

The variety of cultural and religious backgrounds of the kids in Massachusetts schools has sometimes resulted in consternation among the parents, as schools try to be inclusive while at the same time not appearing to endorse or promote religions. A similar issue came up in the Massachusetts town of Revere, according to this Inquisitr report, when a Catholic parent pulled his kids out of the town’s public schools because he believed a school textbook was too favorable to Islam.

Parents missing Santa in Cambridge, however, needn’t despair: The “No Santa Claus” policy will not apply to the school’s unofficial family singalong on December 23, and Saint Nick will be there.

[Image courtesy of: Free Jupiter]