“If you have decorated your bus with anything specific to the Christmas Holiday or any other decorations relating to a specific religion, please remove them immediately,” the memo, which went viral on social media, reads.<\/p>\n
“In addition, employees are instructed not to wear clothing related to Christmas or any other religious holiday.”<\/p>\n
The memo also says all district offices and buses “are to refrain from playing Christmas music” or music affiliated with any religion.<\/p>\n
But a late Friday evening report from FOX 29<\/a> notes Wallingford-Swarthmore officials claimed the memo was a “misunderstanding” and that holiday displays “are not banned.”<\/p>\n They added, however, all employees should be mindful to create an “inclusive environment.”<\/p>\n Interestingly, Libs of TikTok<\/a> reports that back in June the district issued a “Happy Pride Month” message on its Instagram page: “June is Pride Month! […] the purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.”<\/p>\n As noted by the First Amendment Museum<\/a>, non-religious Christmas decorations, clothing etc. such as Santa Claus are entirely permissible in the public sphere. Religious symbols are allowed too, but within certain parameters. For instance, if Wallingford-Swarthmore’s bus drivers hung pictures of nativity scenes along side those featuring menorahs, they’d legally be in the clear.<\/p>\n Superintendent Marseille previously ran the Cheltenham School District where he formally reprimanded<\/a> several teachers for circulating a survey regarding concerns about school violence.<\/p>\n MORE:<\/strong> School district can\u2019t pick and choose which religious speech it allows<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Image\"](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/GBkQzyva8AAs6jT?format=jpg&name=small\")
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