An Albertan elementary school has cancelled its winter concert before Christmas break after deeming it wouldn’t be inclusive enough.
True North’s Rachel Parker revealed that some students and parents were upset about Pat Hardy Elementary School’s decision to cancel the concert “because not all students celebrate Christ’s birth.”
The Whitecourt school’s principal released a statement on the decision, which she said follows discussions with the Pat Hardy School Advisory Council and school staff.
“Not all students celebrate Christmas, and their families may or may not choose to have them participate in the Christmas concert. Other families celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday but do not want children engaging in the non-religious parts such as Santa, Christmas trees, etc.,” she wrote in the since-deleted statement.
Despite arguing that Christmas is a non-inclusive time, the entire school has Christmas break and no school between Dec. 23 and Jan. 7.
The principal added that while some students celebrate Christmas traditions such as Santa, trees, and gifts, they do not participate in the religious aspect of the holiday.
“Preparing for a concert involves months of preparations and daily practice in the final weeks prior to the event. As a result, students who are not participating are excluded from multiple music lessons and classroom practices for an extended period of time,” wrote the principal. “We work hard to find ways to ensure our events are as inclusive to as many students and families as possible.”
The principal explained that the music teacher is currently covering a grade 4 classroom and cannot facilitate this year’s concert.
She said that a spring concert would be more inclusive.
Northern Gateway Public Schools superintendent Kevin Bird said in a statement to True North that the principal’s initial statement poorly expressed the reason for the concert being moved, which was due to the music teacher’s unavailability.
He said the decision was made weeks ago and was supported by numerous parents.
Bird added that various Christmas events, including Christmas choir, tree decorating, gift making, and more, are still taking place at the school.
“While I am not happy with the move of the concert, I am heartened by the scheduled events and the reality of Christmas activities for the students that seem reflective of the true meaning of Christmas,” said Bird.
He added that he has not once heard a recent immigrant or refugee to Canada express concerns about a Christmas concert, and is frustrated that the school may have contributed negatively to the narrative.
“While I know that what was published in the newsletter was done with the best of intentions, that doesn’t mean it was done the right way or in the right place,” said Bird.
He added that some students do not participate in some or all Christmas activities, but that no families have ever asked for a school-wide change.
Various Canadians noted their outrage in replies to an X post.
“No, if the people who don’t celebrate Christmas cannot appreciate the concert, then let them just not attend. Why are we erasing our customs and traditions because some people might not feel ‘included.’ We are including them; it’s them who don’t want any part of it,” said one user.
“Ah, yes, because the true spirit of inclusion is making sure no one gets to enjoy anything!!!! Forget celebrating diversity or teaching kids to appreciate different traditions, better to just cancel everything and call it equality!” said another.
The principal said in the initial statement that spring would be a better time for a concert because it’s generally a less busy period, citing financial stresses and family conflicts that sometimes affect people over the holidays.
Bird acknowledged these stressors but said they might actually be more of an incentive to have holiday events rather than the other way around.
“I would see some of the items discussed in the school newsletter as reasons to have Christmas concerts rather than the other way around; providing perhaps a momentary reminder of peace and goodwill in what for some (including me at times) can be a very difficult season,” he said.
Note: This article has been updated to include comments from Northern Gateway Public Schools superintendent Kevin Bird.