I think it's cool that your school wanted to take a more universal approach, despite being Catholic. You brought up a good point-- even though your school is Catholic, the community around you, and even some of the students aren't. And while your school is Catholic, as an educational facility acknowledging that there are holidays besides Christmas at this point in the year is definitely a worthwhile thing, as it allows students to explore new things and open their minds. It's hard because private schools are pretty much (though most won't admit it) run by parents-- if one parent gets up in arms over something, typically private schools will bend over backwards to accommodate, which may not actually be beneficial to the students. It might be worth opening up an open dialogue session about the variety of holidays and make it an event that families can attend as a whole and potentially gain a new perspective.

The schools in my town have avoided this by having signs that say "Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays", (the public, Christian and Catholic schools all decided to have the same banners).
Honestly I do not know what in the heck people are getting so worked up about. No one "owns" Christmas. If you chose not to celebrate, fine.. but don't get all ticked off when someone wishes you a Merry Christmas. Likewise, people who do celebrate should not get all riled up when wished Happy Holidays.  Isn't it better then being told off?
So much energy wasted over nonsense,

@hectoramemnon@xanga - the parents are suppose to teach their own kids about moral values and the values of life that the parents believe in. its not the schools responsibility its the family's.

@hectoramemnon@xanga - i understand that but schools are not required to the only reason i said wut i did was because you said they are suppose too

Christmas celebrates (or should celebrate) the birth of the savior of the world. Hanukah does not and does not recognize Christ as Christians do and the Jewish faith rejects Jesus as the Messiah which is completely contrary to the core beliefs of Christianity. Kwanzaa has nothing to do with the birth of the savior either, it's a way to "give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society" 

I prefer Happy Holidays, and not only because I'm Jewish, but because that covers New Year's, too. 

@Winged_Paladin@xanga -  have you considered that the savior wasn't born in dec? some people celebrate christmas as a family holiday and not a religious one.

@greene_lily@xanga - I am aware that Jesus was most likely not born around the time that we have designated as a society to celebrate his birth. The day is arbitrary, the holiday is not. Again, it's a private Catholic school, not a public one.

I think it's wonderful that your school had planned on doing the happy holiday event playing music from various holidays. It's important that as people grow up, people learn to be more open and accepting about things that are different from their own. 

I think what your council did was fine, and what the parent did was fine. Discussion and communication on this subject is a good thing.

It's fine with me that people greet me in whatever manner they are comfortable with, or not at all.

Sometimes I do find it comical, but sometimes disturbing if people who know nothing about my faith, or another minority faith in a particular culture, go out of their way to be inclusive. I've seen people with no backround or knowledge of Kwanza trying to teach kids about it, and in doing so, make a mockery of it. Ugh. Same with the winter holidays of other faiths. No one needs to "save" them or the precious feelings of their participants. I'd rather you leave my holiday alone than misrepresent it. If you want to know ask me, if you want to teach the school or church school kids, ask an actual person of that faith to present their own story. I have seen the "inclusive" thing taken to a degree where it was insulting to the faiths it was "including" and to the intelligence of all the people participating.

A joint party, decorating theme, holiday card is not always respectful and appropriate. I truly am NOT upset that you don't go out of your way to recognize my holy day.