We keep ruining things for this generation day by day then I hear the audacity to ask why this generation of kids are the way they are, things like shortening and getting rid of recess, no dodgeball, basic alterations between kids are now elevated to levels they should not be and call everything bullying..... and now this..... we are not giving these kids a chance to be...KIDS!, I am not of generations of Americans and I am the first American in my family so I am not biased when I say this but, we are in America, and we have a culture as well... should we limit ourselves and our norms to promote " diversity"!?.... Irony at its best.

It's a shame we have children's rights taken away! Start early to loosing tradition and values! I'm disgusted!

I always thought valentines day was a
Catholic holiday since its about saint valentine.

Go to Asia, Europe, South America,and see if you can change their customs, beliefs, holidays, in the name of diversity. This is the only country in the WORLD where you can get your own way if you cry loud enough and get paid when "things" hurt your feelings.

This is such a lousy thing to do to children! Let them be kids for the short time they are. Let them enjoy and celebrate holidays and birthdays! Instead of taking things away from them let them share the different culture holidays and celebrations instead of closing every thing out! Kids look forward to holidays especially valentines day! Us it really going to hurt to take 15 min out, even at the end if the day to allow kids joy and fun! I'm so glad my kids are old enough and don't go to salemwood! My kids got the chance to learn about different cultures and have fun being kids! Canceling celebrations just show kids how mean adults can be! This really makes me angry! What's next? I suppose they will kill off the Easter bunny next!

This is a bunch of bull crap. Doesn't anyone have the guts to stand up to these 10% people? They country is ruined by theses 10% ers. Bring back the way it use to be. If They don't like our traditions leave the country. Other countries would not let us do it to them.

I agree with all of you! This is so ridiculous. We live in a diverse world and this needs to be celebrated. I cannot believe that these children are being made to suffer because someone can't handle having a little bit of joy in their lives. I work in child care and in one of my very diverse classrooms, we celebrated every holiday that the parents asked us to. For the ones that I didn't know much about, I learned and asked for parents participation in the celebrations. Is it really that hard and does it take so much time out if their long school day to let the children express a nice gesture in this mean world? I think that many of the adults have a lot to learn from the children and learn to let loose and celebrate whenever there is an opportunity to do so! I wish that my children got to be a kids in my days. We got to celebrate everything and most of us turned out okay!

Well where do you think it comes from, the 10%ers are telling the school officials what they want, Ms Lynette!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! School officials have no guts, they are scared of their own shadows.

Suppression and expression of beliefs is NOT the answer here. Canceling traditions? Why not use this as an education experience? Teach about the customs of the country these people live in? Let's not exclude theirs either! Teach us! Does a country represented in the school have a specific holiday or custom? SHARE! Talk to the teacher and set aside time to TEACH the children about your customs. I don't see anything wrong with having a Christmas tree as long as you don't tell others they can't have a Menorrah. Let's have it ALL! Diversity is GOOD, people...

This is Ridiculous! I have two children that attend the Salemwood and they like many other students are very disappointed. And to receive the letter a day before, is wrong as well, I already purchased my kids Valentine's as I'm sure othe parents have to. I think I as well as others should be reimbursed for the Cards!

Here we go with "politically correct police".

Give me a break, what is the big deal?

These people take the fun out of everything, geez!

valentines day has been a hoilday we have celebrated for years. it should not be taken away from those who enjoy celebrating this fun day. why take the freedom to celebrate a holiday away. whats next???
instead of raising our children that if they dont except a hoilday and it offends them that it should not be celebrated instead why not teach the children to respect other peoples believes and in turn they will respect each others
Carol DeSantis

Valentines Day is just a day for anyone to feel special it is not religious by any means! One day it would be nice to show classmates they care

People, this is so silly to get outraged about. Valentine's Day is a Hallmark holiday, it's not about 'beliefs' and 'taking away a holiday'.

Biggest load of crap I've ever heard. So what their telling us is the Salemwood is the only school in the Malden Public School system that has diversity?? I'd like to know how one school can make this decision on it's own, without the school boards ok? The Salemwood is not it's own entity. It's either a city wide ban or not at all. Not that there shold be a ban, but it's either the whole school system or none at all. Seems like Ms. Keenan still doesn't know how to deal with diversity, so she just cancels things. What a joke. Thank God my kids are out out of tht hell hole.

I think the best way to teach our children about diversity is to explore each others customs, not hide them. How can we teach our children tolerance when they are sheltered from other traditions and told it is wrong to express your beliefs? By letting these celebrations take place, we can better understand our peers. My family enjoys partaking in different religious or ethnic celebrations and learning what other cultures do to celebrate their heritage. In the end the real lesson sometimes becomes that we are not really all that different.

"My son is DEVASTATED"

You've got to be effing kidding me, really? I'm sure the kid is disappointed, but if that's not an exaggeration by an outraged soccer mom and this is what he gets DEVASTATED over, he must have a pretty darn good life.

Here's something for Ms. Keenan to chew on? By doing this she is actually creating hatred amongst the students. By this I mean that the kids that were looking forwrd to Valentines Day are now going to be looking at the kids from other cultures and blaming them for this decision, because it may not be part of their culture. Which in turn could create problems within the school. Then who is Ms. Keenan going to blame?

"65 different cultures and languages represented there" means they'd have to accommodate for the traditions and holidays of 65 different cultures. That's a pretty significant amount of time diverted AWAY from curriculum.

People who move here from other countires should have to decide if they want to participate in this countries traditions. If they want to fine, if not, that's fine to. But to start taking our customs away because of them is absolute bull !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@Diana; I do agree with most of your post. Whoever. No one is loosing track of what school is really for. Last I checked though school was still also supposed to be fun for kids of this age.

Another example of bending and abandoning our own traditions while embracing and requiring others. Some cultures don't use toilet paper, so should we remove it from the school too? Maybe Salemwood principal should concentrate on getting the grades and MCAS performance up to acceptable levels and curb bullying rather than condemn a US tradition based on LOVE!

This is insane, enough is enough, I know all about diversity I see it everyday. But listen people have to start speaking up. If you have immigrated here. That is fine!!! But STOP!!!!!!! TRYING TO CHANGE OUR CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS. They choose to come here. And need to accept, our holidays, customs and traditions. This has nothing to do with religion including the religious holidays. We are losing our own Country and it must stop!

wouldn't diversity mean you celebrate holidays of all cultures so you learn about diversity, and so immigrants learn about the culture of this country? Seems like they don't want diversity and everyone becomes part of the Borg with no diversity...., you will be assimilated into the non nondescript non cultural homogeneous mix

not remembering or celebrating Valentines sounds like a death wish in my house LOL

Yes and this is MA and you reap what you... Keep electing the same liberal PC politicians and what do you expect. Chances are 60 to 70% of us on here keep voting for the same people who put the judges in who empower that 3% of the population. The school administration is just trying to avoid those 3% lawsuits. That means more money for education and not for some money grubbing ambulance chasers. This is what we have come to.

I totally believe in diversity....I respect other's customs and traditions...but why can't everyone's custom's and tradition's be shared and experienced? I have no problem with my daughter learning about Hanukkah, Ramadan, Yom Kippur, Chinese New Year, etc. Valentine's Day is a day of love and friendship....why can't the kids hand out Valentine cards? If someone doesn't want their child to get a card, then they can send the teacher a message prior to the day. It's not hard to celebrate all the holidays and check with the parents to see if they want their children to participate...the school just doesn't want to make the effort. It's easier to just exclude everyone's traditions and customs and let everyone just become more and more clueless about each other. I'm sure in other countries they wouldn't stop celebrating their holidays if a foreigner chose to live or visit....they would include that person and offer to have them learn about their customs. So why when immigrants come here, they want to change everything??? If you do not want your child to participate, then keep them home or maybe the school should make the effort to occupy those students with something else while the majority (and yes, it would probably be the majority) celebrates. Oh, and by the way, at Walgreens yesterday ALL NATIONALITIES were perusing the card aisle for Valentine's Day.....and they are there for Christmas, Halloween, St. Patrick's Day and Thanksgiving...

This is really pathetic. It's not about culture or religion. It's about a fun expression of friendship and love. Anyone who could possibly claim to be offended should be laughed at, not accommodated. They can opt out, but it shouldn't prevent others from having a few minutes of fun. Yet another reason on the long list of why I am SO thankful I can send my kids to an independent school.

I understand the whole cultural diversity when it comes to religious holidays. We do not it to look like we are "forcing" beliefs on children, even though that is not what is happening, some parents could misread it in that way. But loving and caring about oen another is a WORLDLY concept. It doesnt matter your religion, nationality, language, a HEART means LOVE. Bottom Line. No strings attached.

sounds anti diversity to me. I wonder if the new Morrocn Market in Malden is selling valentines candy? hmmmmmm

I suggest calling school committee members and the school department and voicing your opinion. Elected officials should listen to constituents.

This is just pure laziness on the schools behalf . Instead of welcoming all holidays from all cultures or at least taking the the opportunity to teach and touch upon what others celebrate in other countries , let's just ingnore holidays all together, including our own and celebrate nothing. Way to go!!!! In America I thought we welcome diversity??? Well wouldn't that include there customs as well, including America's customs??? Like said , this is laziness and a way to take the easy way out by ingnoring all holidays. Isn't Valentines Day about showing Love for one another ? Does this school ban love as well or showing kindness to one another ? This was a very poor decition and it makes me sad for our kids and America.

Oh brother, the day I get my knickers in a knot over my kid not being able to give a valentine's day card to the class, I'm hoping someone will take that card, tear it up into little pieces, stuff it into a bullet and shoot me in the head with it.

Why don't we take all of the "fun" things out of our children's school day and turn our schools into educational prisons. Traditions are important parts of a child's life and many holidays are far removed from their historical origin. We should be looking for ways to share cultures and traditions and celebrate the diversity of our communities, not ban them from the school environment that takes up a majority of our children's day. Most cultural traditions and holidays send out very positive social messages which, when presented fairly, can only add to the positive development of our children. Education is not about closing doors, its all about opening doors.

I am getting a huge kick out of the diversity fans here.

I'm sure nobody here gets upset that sometimes you have to press "1" for English. :)

Are all the schools using this policy

This topic is part of a larger discussion that is extremely important to our country's future: The Global economy and the Global Society. Our future economic success depends on US citizens and businesses becoming part of a "Global" economy, so we have expanding markets to sell US products to. If we don't start placing value on the cultures and beliefs beyond our borders, we will only end up alienating ourselves from the rest of the world. Appreciating all of our neighbors cultures and beliefs is the first step to becoming part of the Global society in which we live. We can't bury our heads in the sand and hope that it will all go away. It won't. Intolerance will only hurt us, not protect us.

I heart diversity

I would like to know more from the decision-makers about how letting the kids celebrate Valentine's Day would offend some of the kids or make them feel marginalized before I form my opinion. The article doesn't give specific information about that. Maybe if we had it, we would either understand the decision better or come up with another solution. But I agree with other posters who say that the way to promote appreciation of diversity is to share and celebrate our cultures rather than sanitize them. What do they know of England who only England know?

Who are these other people we keep talking about? This is the United States of America. My desendents came from Italy. My childhood friends families migrated to this country from Ireland, France, England, Germany, Africa, Spain, Holland, Denmark, Poland, Greece, Russia, Sweden, etc, etc, etc. Later when my children were going to school they had friends that came from China, Japan, Korea, South and Central America, Middle East, Eastern Europe etc, etc, etc. My point is this: We came here for many different reasons but by doing so we are or will all become Americans. That is what we wanted and that is what we got. My grandparents came from Italy, my friends grandparents came from Ireland, my son's friends parents or grandparents came from East, now we are in America, we are Americans, each and everyone of us. If there is another world war, we better be fighting for America and our allies and no one else. It is and should be practical to celebrate American Holidays and customs when living in Americam, DON'T YOU THINK! On Halloween didn't all the kids want candy? So what's the problem? When in Rome do as the Romans do! In America, you are an American, so the old rule stands out loud an clear. You got what you wanted, your now American. I think most old and new Americans will agree to that because anything else is ENTIRELY IMPRACTICAL. We can't celebrate the customs of the entire world and it's not only true here but everywhere else is this world. Am I missing something?

From a personal perspective, I feel the Principal missed out on a valuable teaching opportunity here (as well as showed a lack of respect for the students & the families by springing this on them all the night before). I attended Malden Public Schools all my life, and was bullied through most of my enrollment. My classmates never let an opportunity go by to make sure I knew I was different, unwanted, ugly, stupid, useless, etc. BUT -- on Valentine's Day, EVERYONE in the class received Valentine's from everyone else. They were not allowed to write nasty things on the cards, or to be exclusive and only give to their friends. It was one day a year when everyone was nice to one another, when teachers turned some attention on being nice to your neighbor and on friendship and manners and equality.

30 years later, and our children are told regularly to be nice to one another, don't bully each other, do a random act of kindness -- but don't give someone a Valentine because it might offend someone?

Ms. Keenan has her own reasons for not allowing this holiday to be celebrated in her school, but I don't believe for one second it has anything to do with the various cultures of the students. Every school in Malden is made up of students from the melting pot that is our city, and from what I've seen, only Salemwood was denied this holiday. Tell us, Ms. Keenan, how many parents actively decried the holiday? How many openly said they'd be offended? I doubt it was any at all.

Ms Keenan is a Tyrannical tool. She's employed by the taxpayers. Time to tell the school committee to put Keenan on the unemployment line. "We welcome and celebrate our diversity"...... Bee Ess! Ms Keenan celebrates diversity like Hitler celebrated free speech!

Wow maybe we should stop all holiday traditions in school, erase them from the books so no one can *(&^^&$&(%^ about their religious beliefs. These people who complain have way too much time ontheir hands.

Leonardo - BRAVO well said. As a christian, just look at Christmas not all traditions came from one nationality, tree, stockings, santa etc. These are our traditions, as Americans, if you don't like them don't participate.

I am not sure what "Malden Schools" are trying to attain. We are in a place where our children are being taught to "the Test", we don't have holiday parties, the school food is so bad that most of it is thrown out and we are considering putting our children in uniforms. If we want kids to perform at their best then we have to reward and honor them. This is not being done; the schools have a terrible sense of morale. But, seriously, canceling Valentines Day. This is probably the one day of the year that everyone tries to "play nice". I am tired of hearing that diversity means that all traditions are traded up in favor of no celebrations. Diversity means being inclusive and everyone gets to play. I thought we were getting it right in Malden and that we were honoring and appreciating all people and sharing different celebrations not omitting celebrations and giving up who we are.

Theodore Roosevelt on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN

Are we "SLOW LEARNERS" or what?

Theodore Roosevelt on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN

"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

We are more worried about the newcomers to our city and making sure they dont get "offended" by our American celebrations. This is America. They moved here for a better life, to be American. Whether they are Chinese American, Spanish American, Japanese American, Russian American, African American, we must not only teach them academics, but show them American Values. This has been missing for the past several years and its getting worse. I think Principal Keenan ought to rethink her strategy. Where is Superintendent DeRuosi through all this?? What a mess Malden is turning out to be. Lets start these kids young out by letting them know that they can not wish a friend Happy Birthday, Happy Valentines Day, or Merry Christmas because of the socialist approach the Principal has taken. Its terrible to think our American Traditional values are not being embraced by these young children because of Principal Keenans socialistic and liberal views. The only way Malden will be in the "top places to live" category again is if they are rated by socialism scale, liberalism scale, and avoiding American traditions scale.

Diversity is a way of life. What are they preparing these kids for? If we don't celebrate it doesn't exist? In the real world these children will have to learn to work and live in a diverse world. It isn't fair to any child whether they believe in something or not, it is life. This principal needs a reality check. First it's Christmas, then it was Halloween, now it 's Valentine's Day. In the real world there is Christmas, Halloween, Valentines Day, Chinese New Year etc...There are people of many colors and relegions, if the children can not learn to accept diversity at an early age by understanding each others celebrations, they might never accept it which will create negative social skills later in life.

People are still failing to read the article.

I will give $100 to anyone who shows me in the article above, exactly where it says that someone was offended by Valentine's Day and American traditions.

Let me give you guys a hint: it's not there, because nobody ever said that.

You guys are attaching the made-up notion that someone was offended by this, and the knee-jerk reaction to that is, well, just about every comment you see above this one.

I commented earlier today about this matter and I also read everyone of the comments . There are only a couple that have said that basically this is no big deal and what is all the fuss about. Not in these exact words of course . I just want to share something ......my little boy came home from school today with a paper bag full of valentine cards from all his little class mates. These class mates come from at least 4 different countries , this I know for a fact . My son was so happy and excited about the day he had. He told me how he gave out " I love you cards " to his friends and how they gave cards to him. My son told me how they made a special art project for valentines day and they even made the moms & dads little gifts . I love my little hand print gift!!!!! What did my son learn today at school ? Maybe not much as far as math or reading etc etc , but he learned and had fun at GIVING , SHARING , CARING and about LOVE FOR OTHERS. These acts of kindness or lessons will carry on forever and be pasted on to his children . So I really do think this is a big deal! I'm so very happy my little boy goes to a school that likes to celebrate special days such as today.....I love you day!

I just think we as America are losing our traditions and culture and who we are in this overcompensated effort to try not to "offend" anyone and " in respect of cultural diversity". I agree with others and reiterate that you don't find any other country changing their practices just because there are some among them who don't necessarily practice the same traditions, practices,etc.
it's not about disrespecting others it's about honoring our own.

and mike it is not just about valentines day,its about everything they have banished in the public schools like christmas,easter,crosses,the wearing of any religous t-shirts,not being able to say merry christmas now without someone saying that it is politically incorrect and you should be saying happy holidays instead.come on mike even you have to take notice of all these changes in the way our children are are being taught about these holidays and beliefs that are being treated like dirt by the school systems

Call it the Day of Love, friendship, kindness and appreciation, and continue celebrating this beautiful holiday. :)

Man, this $100 is burning a hole in my pocket.

It doesn't do any good to complain about this and other things going on in our public schools, the adminitrators make the rules and even though they are public servents they ignore the complaints of the majority. Minorities rule.

Would Salemwood students benefit more from diversity by seeing it as a banquet, or by feeding them pablem?

Obviously the principal is doing it because she likes the attention...Plain and simple...Isnt it supposed to be about the kids not her!

Maybe her feelings were hurt when she didnt get any christmas gifts.

What about American culture?! The only language should be English! I lived in Costarica for 3 years they did Not learn english to understand me I learned spanish to understand them! America has become a country with no backbone out of ethnic fear! And political correctness!

Apparently at 6:00 this VD story will appear as a report on WHDH Channel 7.

Isnt that a decision like the superintendent or school committee should make rather than some Principal with an agenda?

well mike as far back as i can remember,kids were always allowed to exchange cards in school for all kinds of holidays,kids look up to teachers and believe every word they say,they are very trusting of the teachers,so when teachers tell them they are not allowed to celebrate with their classmates on holidays and birthdays but its ok to do it at home,it kind of confuses a kid,and i agree 100% that it is the parents responsibility to teach their kids the culture and holidays of their respective families.and then they go to school and are told it is not allowed here. come on mike these kids have to turn their joy off and on when it comes to being in school around holidays where you cannot celebrate and be in that holiday mood,and then they get home and they can be happy again about being an american and being able to say things like merry christmas again and being excited about the little things that kids get excited about.mike when you went to school ,were you allowed to have fun in schooland enjoy the holidays with your classmates,you telling me that you never sang happy birthday to a fellow classmate in elementary school,mike the answer is yes and that is what people are mad about,they are taking little good things like that away from the kids and it is wrong,i don't care who moved here and doesn't like it,thats what we do here and we should not have to stop it for no one cause it is not hurting any one.

Exactly Lynette. She probably called all the stations so she can say why she is right and thousands of other schools wrong. Probably got her hair done this morning professionally

Well, Lynette...according to your beliefs, Halloween must be a conspiracy perpetrated by the candy companies as well. And St. Patrick's Day, well, that one must be perpetrated by big alcohol, and potato growers everywhere. And last I checked, Lynette, the Hallmark Card company runs year round, so there goes YOUR theory that Valentine's Day is also perpetrated by them. How ridiculous on a whole your post was!

LOL. I don't think so. But she might have her face obscured and her voice changed.
From these comments, things are getting pretty serious. She might even have to go into the protection program.

Mike G, I graduated from Malden High back in 1982. I had ONE Hindu who graduated with me. I had 4 Vietnemese....3 Haitains....and the rest were (gasp) American. So I don't know where you can qualify your 'mainstream' statement, because I certainly didn't experience that. When I was growing up in Malden in the 70's & 80's, it was predominately Jewish, not Islamic, not Hindu, not Chinese, not anything!

Lynette, how about if I donate some of my disposable income to the Hallmark Card Co. While I'm at it....I might just donate to the Russel-Stover Charity as well :)

They are being toatal Jerks and worse. We had Valentines day. Just keep disconecting your kids and they will be nothin but zombies. What's a little love in school mayby showing you may have a crush on someone you like. They are sooooo stupid.All need shrinks somethin wrong with these people in charge at the school. So wonder we are going down the tubes. Idiots !!!!! Fire em they are not worthy of there jobs. This is the most dumbest Ive heard yet! Thety teachers there must be tooo FUGLY to get a box of chocolates so ya take it out on the kids.

According to the Channel 7 report the kids celebrated Friendship Day and exchanged cards outside of school. Don't shoot the messenger.

I wish there was a way to just take away the holiday from the kids who have parents that cry about their Valentine's Day tradition being taken away.

Complete lack of Common Sense........Even the Charter School lets the kids celebrate Valentines Day..........and their policies are one of the strictest around.

If David Mokal was educated in Malden maybe it's a good thing they're are spending less time on holidays and more on writing skills.

I teach first grade at the Ferryway and we exchanged valentines and I read a book about being kind. It was a lovely 30 minutes. Tomorrow we are making Chinese dragons and I will be reading a book about Chinese New Year. Again, I will only spend 30 minutes on this because I do teach punctuation etc. as an earlier post stated. Appreciating their classmates one day and learning about different traditions are great lessons and should be valued in my opinion. For the record, we voted on shadow or no shadow for Groundhog's day, discussed the importance of MLK, and the students were given their first home report about Obama for Presidents day. I love incorporating the holidays into our day. If we don't keep it interesting the students won't love school. I get the best results from my students who are tuned in:)

Freinship Day???This is Comunism in our schools. The most rediculous crap Ive ever heard. The teachers at the Salemwood should take a good enema to clear out their brains. Wha? Salemwood goin yuppy? Politically correct? Something else just has to be taken away from the kids. I say take away the teachers holidays and vacations. See how they crybaby.

Is David Mokal real or just Poe's Law incarnate? http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Poe's_Law

Dan please get a life. The more you take away the more morons you create. I dont read stupid links sorry. Dan face it your a nobody on a blog thats all nothing else just someone who hides behind a phoney name. I laugh at morons like yourself Im bustin a gut right now laughing at you FUN !!!

The superintendent left a message about friendship letters being given out at Salemwood and parents would have had more notice if we didnt have time off due to the storm.The letters sound nice so maybe it's time to move on to bigger and more important issues such as the growing class sizes in our lower grades. Kindergarten had 28 students in each class. I wish the parents would discuss that instead.

This country has cultural traditions also. Halloween,secular Christmas observances, Valentine's day, and Memorial day are part of our cultural tradition. Birthday celebrations in school are not. A politicized school committee making bad decisions leads to stupid administrators.

Today's "friendship celebration" reminds me of George Orwell's Animal Farm!

Mike G from 6:32 PM, 2/14 said "It's not about compensating any country. I never said any of those things. They are a red herring-- Mike how about accommondating for the traditions and holidays of 65 different cultures. You did say that and it means the same thing as the first statement you claim you never said. Your just playing games with words

Mike G from 8:15 AM, 2/14 "65 different cultures and languages represented there" means they'd have to accomodate for the traditions and Holidays of 65 different cultures. That's a pretty significant amount of time diverted away from curriculum".

Mike G. 1:44 PM 2/14--"If you have a party for Valentine's Day, isn't it fair to have a party for every othe tradition/custom/holiday? Or do we only apply the rules to some and not all?

Mike it certainly sounds a lot like you did say what you claim you never said. If we are not observing a traditional Valentine's Day because we would have to observe the 65 different culture and languages represented there" means in your opinion isn't it fair to have a party for every other tradition/custom/holiday? Your claims don't hold up to scrutiny.

Most of us feel that all those who come to America came here to gain American citizenship and to raise their children as Americans. Why should we have to concern ourselves with the traditions, holidays, etc of other lands. Our Constitution was written for Americans. We need more more unity with new Americans not less.

"Friendship Letters" who do they think they are fooling. Marianne S is right. Stalin and Mao couldn't have done better.

Just remember Michael, "Four legs good. Two legs better"

I wonder if Animal Farm is on the curriculum at MVRCS...

When my son attended pre-school, a letter was sent home stating that they where having a " Fall Fiesta" party at the school, rather than a " Halloween Party " .... I asked the teacher why they where calling it a " Fall Fiesta" party ??? crickets....... I told her that I was offended by the word " Fiesta " !! This is really getting out of hand.. If the parents do not want thier children to be a part of these holidays then keep them home from school... better yet, home school them !

I hear MVRCS has holiday celebrations aplenty, so I'm guessing Animal Farm is read there. Read and heeded. lol

As a parent of a child who attended Salemwood seven years ago, and of one who attends there now, can truly say that it is unfair to blame the recent immigrant population for the principal's decision not to celebrate holidays due to diversity. Cancelling holidays did not happen under previous administrators, and it doesn't happen in any other schools in Malden. If the administrators want to teach equity, then they should acknowledge all celebrations, secular or not. I highly doubt the parents of kids at Salemwood complained. What percentage of the parents complained? America is supposedly embraces everyone including our own culture. So what happened to democracy at Salemwood?

I only have three words to express to Salemwood school........HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

This thread is, frankly, an excellent illustration of why schools should dispense with any number of silly "celebrations" in favor of focusing on teaching literacy and coherent thought.

Also, if Valentine's Day is such a BFD, why are we all arguing on the internet instead of gettin' some?

how shameful america has become so "unamerican" in its schools, and community. what america always celebrated as All American, as apple pie....has been destroyed. ask older immigrants how they assimulated to claaing themselves AMERICANS. it waa because we learned from school and community.

Two words - Charter Schools - the public school system is so fraught with waste and PC propoganda, the best thing we can do for the kids is to take them out of the system and put them in one where the parents (and some semblance of reasoning) have a say ...I bet Mystic Valley Charter School allows valentines

I still have that $100. I think I'll buy up all of the Valentine's Day cards that are left over in all the stores in Malden, and then set them on fire in front of my house. I'll probably have about $50 left over after that, so I'll just use that as kindling.

Itellitlikeitis.....although pretty much what you said is reiterating what I said on Thursday. In Mike G's defense, all he said was some were getting 'worked up' past the point of ridiculous is all. At no point did Mike say he was pandering to anyone.

I don't know if anyone has noticed this, but I was looking at a web link regarding the student ratios of minority students in the Salemwood. 67% of the kids who attend are eligible for the free lunch program. In 2011, the Salemwood reported a student count of 1,117. 67% were eligible for the meals. I wonder if Miss Keenan (whom I graduated with) was perhaps 'confused' her statement. Doing the math, I came out with 748 different ethnic groups (again, the 67% is HER number). I'm sorry folks, but I have a hard time buying into the portrayal by Miss Keenan that there are THAT many and different ethnic groups. We have whites, blacks, latinos, muslims, & hindus. Someone is off their rocker!

i am still in favor Valentines day panties!!!

Were you offended, Antoine? No Valentine's Day card for you!

American Traditions are disappearing and why, is it because we don’t want to offend you! Children learn in school and they learn by what they see, if we continue to take our American Traditions away as our City, State and Country have been doing then our American born children will only know America by what they read and not from experience. Folks this is an American Tradition stop trying to please all, we have to keep our American ways alive as small as this may seem to some it is a American Tradition!
Or you can continue taking our American School Traditions away and make puppets of the future America. Hey here’s an idea, continue with all of our American Traditions and show the children and families that do not agree with our ways how American children of the past celebrated American Traditions. Happy times and smiles on our children’s faces are being taken away because their parents and government officials.
Sick of reasons and excuses!