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WEBVTT >> FRANKLY, IT WAS THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS MEMO WE’D EVER SEEN ON CHRISTMAS. REPORTER: IN A TWO-PAGE MEMO SENT TO TEACHERS AND STAFF AT MANCHESTER ELEMENTARY, PRINCIPAL JENNIFER SINCLAIR LAID OUT H LIST, HIGHLIGHTING "NOT ACCETABLE PRACTICES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON." THAT LIST, BANNING CHRISTMAS IN THE CLASSROOM, INCLUDING CANDY CANES BECAUSE THEY SYMBOLIZE A "J" FOR JESUS. NO SANTAS OR CHRISTMAS TREES ALLOWED, EITHER. ON THE ACCEPTABLE ITEMS LIST SNOWMEN, PENGUINS, AND HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD. IN HER MEMO, SINCLAIR CALLS THE LIST INCLUSIVE AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVE TO ALL STUDENTS, AND SHE SIGNED IT, THE UNINTENTIONAL GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS FROM MANCHESTER. >> BUT FOR THE FACT THAT SOME SCHOOL STAFF GOT US INVOLVED, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE GRINCH IN MANCHESTER AND WOULD HAVE SENT A VERY TERRIBLE MESSAGE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. REPORTER: MAT STAVER IS THE FOUNDER OF LIBERTY COUNSEL, AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ADVANCING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. HE SAYS THE LIST VIOLATES THE SCHOOL DISTRICT’S POLICY AND FIRST AMENDMENT LAWS. THE COUNSEL SENT A LETTER ADMINISTRATORS LAST FRIDAY. >> WE WERE PREPARED HAD THE SCHOOL NOT RESPONDED APPROPRIATELY TO FILE SUIT THIS WEEK. REPORTER: THE ELKHORN SCHOOL DISTRICT RELEASED A STATEMENT, SAYING ADMINISRTRATION PROMPTLY ADDRESSED THE ISSUE. AND, THE MEMO DOES NOT REFLECT THE POLICY OF ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. A DISTRICT SPOKESPERSON TOLD KETV NEWSWATCH 7 THE SCHOOL IS RECEIVING A HIGH VOLUME OF PHONE CALLS FROM CONCERNED PARENTS. AND, AN OFFICER WILL BE PRESENT AT SCHOOL IN THE COMING DAYS. WE KNOW SINCLAIR IS NEW TO THE SCHOOL. NO WORD HOW LONG SHE COULD BE ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE. NO PARENTS WOULD SPEAK TO US ON CAMERA WHEN SCHOOL DISMISSED TODAY, BUT SOME SAID THEY SUPPORT PRINCIPAL SINCLAIR AND THAT SHE MADE A MISTAKE. BACK TO YOU. JULIE: RIGHT NOW, WE’RE TRACKING SOME OF THE COLDEST WEATHER OF THE SEASON. ROB: METEOROLOGIST SEAN EVERSON IS IN FOR BILL RANDBY TONIGHT. HE’S HERE WITH THE UPFRONT FORECAST. SEAN: DEPENDING ON THESE GLOVES CLEARING OUT TONIGHT,

Advertisement Elkhorn elementary principal put on leave for banning Santa, candy canes, and other Christmas decorations An international law firm focused on religious freedom successfully asked the district to reverse the principal's ban. Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The principal of Manchester Elementary in Elkhorn is on administrative leave after sending a directive to staff to ban certain religious Christmas decorations in the classrooms.District spokesperson Kara Perchal said Jennifer Sinclair is a new principal and did not consult with administrators about school policy concerning the handling of religious holiday themes.The organization, Liberty Counsel got wind of the principal's memo and sent a demand letter to the superintendent of Elkhorn Public Schools asking the district to lift the Christmas ban.The list of "not acceptable" practices include:Santas or Christmas items (clipart) on worksheetsChristmas trees in classroomsElf on the Shelf - that’s Christmas-relatedSinging Christmas CarolsPlaying Christmas musicSending a Scholastic book that is a Christmas book - that’s Christmas-relatedMaking a Christmas ornament as a gift - This assumes that the family has a Christmas tree which assumes they celebrate Christmas. I challenge the thought of, ‘Well they can just hang it somewhere else.’Candy Cane - that’s Christmas-related. Historically, the shape is a ‘J’ for Jesus. The red is for the blood of Christ, and the white is a symbol of his resurrection. This would also include different colored candy canes.Red/Green items - traditional Christmas colorsReindeerChristmas videos/movies and/or characters from Christmas movies” (emphasis added)The principal’s “acceptable” list included:Gifts to studentsSnowmen, snow women, snow people Snowflakes Gingerbread people Holidays Around the World Sledding Hot chocolate Polar BearsPenguins Scarves, boots, earmuffs, and hats “Yetis” and “Olaf” (the snowman from the movie Frozen.)Perchal said Sinclair's memo "did not reflect district policy." She sent us this statement:"Elkhorn Public Schools District administration promptly addressed the issue at Manchester Elementary School regarding the memo that was sent by the principal to Manchester elementary staff. The memo does not reflect the policy of Elkhorn Public Schools regarding holiday symbols in the school. The District has since clarified expectations and provided further direction to staff in alignment with District policy. This issue was limited to Manchester Elementary School and did not arise at any other schools within the District."Perchal said, "As of this morning, Principal Sinclair has been placed on administrative leave. Due to the fact that this is an ongoing personnel issue, the District cannot comment further."Perchal also said the district is receiving a "high volume" of phone calls from people with "concerns." She said the calls do not rise to the level of hate calls or threats and police have not been called.However, in an email to parents the district said, "As an added safety measure and in an act of extreme precaution, Officer Miller will be present at the school throughout the coming days."