Earlier today, Mendon resident, Mike Watson, published a petition through change.org.
In the petition Watson asks the community to “direct any principal who has directed any staff member to stop singing patriotic songs to retract that order and allow those staff members to resume this worthwhile expression of love of country that also serves as a history lesson through song. We also ask that moving forward Christmas or “holiday” concerts in Mendon-Upton be held during the holiday season and not months after and renamed “Harvest Concert” or “Winter Solstice Concert”. Thank you for considering these two important requests.”
Watson also reports on his facebook page, Mendon Upton Public Square, a staff member at Miscoe Hill was directed by the administration to stop singing patriot songs with students in the classroom.
Dr. Maruszczak responded to the allegations and the petition on his facebook page. “Apparently a petition has been started because there is a “ban” on the singing of patriotic songs in the MURSD. I would react to this, however, this is COMPLETE FICTION. In fact, we embrace the teaching of these songs, supporting our local veterans through Memorial Day programs & concerts, and will continue to improve our civic education curriculum.”
Watson claims the superintendents statements are “damage control.” Watson has publicly asked Dr. Maruszczak, “Was one of your Miscoe teachers told to stop singing patriotic songs in her classroom? Yes or no? Was the Clough Christmas concert held last year? Did Christmas parties in the schools change from “Christmas” parties to “holiday” parties? Did Halloween decorations get replaced with “fall” decorations? Were Christmas decorations replaced with snow flakes and “winter” decorations?”
In an email Dr. Maruszczak wrote, “This is completely untrue. There is no “ban” on the singing of patriotic songs. To the contrary, the MURSD prides itself on the fine programming, with the Memorial Day concerts at each of the elementary schools and the Miscoe/Clough Flag Day celebration in June as key examples. Each of these events honor and celebrate our local veterans, and most importantly, teach our children about the values of sacrifice, commitment, and patriotism. We will continue these practices while also striving to improve our civic education curriculum.”
Here is the link to the petition.
UPTON DAILY 
It was handled poorly by the teacher who chose to express her displeasure with orders from a supervisor by sharing it with the kids in such a way that they or their parents interpreted it to be a school- or district-wide ban on patriotic songs, which it was not. Did the petitioner ever ask why the order might have been issued? Did the teacher? Context matters.
It was handled poorly by the petitioner who blew it out of proportion by elevating it to the level he did, without considering how divisive it might become, or that he might be wrong in his interpretation. A petition before finding out if it really was a ban on patriotic songs? And bringing in all the other references to holiday parties, etc.? Simply inflammatory, but consistent with the disdain he has shown for the district.
And the petitioner’s willingness to call anyone who disagrees with him a “sheep” is insulting and shows the levels to which he is willing to sink. The educators and teachers who he apparently knows, and to whom he frequently refers by name, should be running in the other direction for fear of being permanently linked to him. Yikes.
How about you Mike….Are you wrong? Did you gather all your facts before you declared we don’t have a holiday concert because the school is against holidays? Did you ask the band director what a few extra weeks would do for students who are just learning to play instruments? Have you been to a concert at Miscoe where songs represent the holiday season? Could you be wrong in the approach of even asking the teacher? Could you have twisted her words into saying something that YOU wanted to hear? GET A NEW HOBBY…
Personally I think there is a difference between patriotic songs and events and religious songs and events. If you want to get technical about it we have a separation of church and state in this country, therefore technically speaking there should be no reference to religion in any school function or activity, right? Obviously that has not always been the practice in not only our schools but probably many if not all schools. I don’t know why our school district decided to change to more generic terms such as winter party, autumn party and to disallow any references to religions holidays. Is it the church and state issue? Is it the desire to not exclude those who don’t celebrate? I don’t know the answer to that but I do believe there is a distinction that should be made between the two. We are all Americans but we are not all of the same religious backgrounds. And while I am not opposed to having holiday parties, they need to be inclusive and need to steer clear of any “religious messages.” At the same time, however, I see how there is an opportunity to use these to educate and unite but is that the role of public school or not?
I note the superintendent did NOT address the “holiday” issue, only the patriotic one.