Dear colleagues,
As an international and inclusive school, we would like to be mindful of what we call our seasonal parties with our students to avoid any misunderstandings. The interpretation of, e.g., the word Christmas varies based on how people celebrate the time of the year, and often their personal histories and backgrounds. In some cases, it has a very little religious connotation and is seen as a more of a generalized term for the season. However, in some cases, people will connect Christmas strongly with the religious time of the year and may have either a very important personal connection to it, or may experience Christmas celebration as an exclusive or mono-cultural lense to view the time of the year.
Therefore, please guide your students, parents, and colleagues to name those open and inclusive parties celebrated in your classroom or otherwise in the school contexts, either as winter party, class party, holiday party, and/or end of term/year party, etc.
Thank you for your support and understanding
