A Mercer County principal reversed her decision to remove the elementary school’s Halloween and Valentine’s Day celebrations three days later, after parent and community backlash.
Ebony Lattimer, the new principal of Riverside Elementary School in Princeton, told parents in a letter last Tuesday the school’s Halloween parade and celebration and Valentine’s Day celebration would be replaced to make them more inclusive, according to Planet Princeton.
The Halloween celebration would be replaced with a “book bonanza” with students dressing up as their favorite book character for a parade.
The Valentine’s Day celebration would be replaced with “Upstander Day,” which would “highlight our students and the Riverside normative culture, as they display the upstander codes of respect, responsibility, safety, and positivity,” the news site reported.
Three days later, Lattimer reversed course and said the celebrations would remain, attributing the decision to feedback she received.
“The Halloween parade has historically resulted in a few students opting out and staying home for religious or cultural reasons,” she wrote in a letter on Friday. “Therefore, I was striving to create an option that every student could enjoy.
“From the feedback I have received, I realize that this will require a more profound discussion before we can make a firm decision. Our school and district greatly value parent and family engagement in guiding decision-making,” she continued. “Therefore, we will continue with the traditional holiday activities for this school year and have school-wide discussions for potential changes in the future.”
Lattimer did not respond to a request for comment.
Superintendent Carol Kelley issued a statement last Friday praising Lattimer for “proposing new and creative opportunities for learning and inclusivity,” and commending her handling of community feedback.
“However, what’s always tricky as a leader is balancing your ideas with the decision-making process of engaging and involving the people you serve,” Kelley said. “(Lattimer) is not closing the door on the proposed options but pausing to have deeper discussions with Riverside families. Parent and family engagement are the fabric of Princeton Public Schools.”
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Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
N.J. principal scraps decision to eliminate Halloween and Valentine’s Day celebrations after backlash - NJ.com
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