The Polar Express picture book forbidden to be read to our students...

Can you believe this??? Opinions please. Our assistant principal says it is not politically correct and will not let us read it to our students. Meanwhile that book was given to many staff members years ago(before my time) by the administration. She says it places to much emphasis on a belief system. Everyone at school is outraged. Opinions anyone?

Re: The Polar Express picture book forbidden to be read to our students...

Well, I for one love that book. I was first introduced to it in elementary school. I also look foward to sharing it with my students one day. But, on the other hand, it is Christmas related and many schools are not really allowed to celebrate specific holiday's since not all children are included...

Would he agree to allowing you to read it if you promised to also read books that are related to Chanukah and Kwanzaa?

Re: The Polar Express picture book forbidden to be read to our students...

The funny thing is we do read Kwanzaa books and Hanukaah books. At our school we celebrate the Chinese New Year and they have a dragon come around and give out little red envelopes with a penny in them. We also have a school wide celebration of Cinco De Mayo. I mean this book was a few years ago on Mayor Gulianni's list of classroom library books. I researched this book on the internet and there was so much useful information on how to incorporate this book into your reading writing and math lesson plans. People at my school have been reading it for years and now are told not to. This all started when we asked if we could take the children to the movies to see the film after reading th ebook and doing a lesson or 2 on it. The ap's first response to taking them to the movie was that it wasn't our responsibility, instead their parents should take them on a weekend. Then all of a sudden its not politically correct???? This is causing many argumets because they allowed teachers to take the kids to see 'Hole' and Harry Potter . We have also been allowed every year to take them to a holiday play at the College of Staten Island. So how this is different? Sorry this is sooooo long I am just venting!!!

Re: The Polar Express picture book forbidden to be read to our students...

hmm, then that makes absolutly no sense. What was the pricipals take?

I don't understand how it's politically incorrect... did he give you his reasons?

Re: The Polar Express picture book forbidden to be read to our students...

WEll the ap said its not politically incorrect because it focuses too much on a belief system. Which I think is crazy. Today at a grade meeting we brought it up and the ap said well that whole thing about the belief syytem and we have to woryy about upsetting jehovah's witnesses . I mean come on already. She claims that the principal holds the same views. Some fifth grade teachers are so outraged by this they are going to file a complaint. Today the ap said 'well let's bring the book to next week's meeting and all look at it again. Meanwhile every school in the neighborhood is going to see this movie on class trips.This whole thing just burns me!!!