Update: Teacher’s banned tree allowed back into classroom
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A teacher in Maine had been told she must stop a 30-year tradition in her classroom, a display of a small Christmas tree. But the principal has reversed his decision, The Bangor Daily News reported.
Catherine Gordon, a math teacher at Bangor High School, said that she was told by the principal to take town the tree, WLBZ reported.
There were no religious symbols, Gordon said. It was pink and featured Hello Kitty.
Gordon said the principal said the tree was inappropriate.
She went to Facebook to speak out against the removal order.
I am very sad… After 30 years of decorating my classroom for the holidays, I was told today by the building principal...
Posted by Catherine Gordon on Friday, December 18, 2015
Principal Paul Butler said in a statement released to school committee members and the media that last week someone shared concerns about the tree not showing a balanced approach to holiday observances. He spoke with the teacher about the concerns brought to him.
Butler has since reversed the decision, telling The Bangor Daily News in the statement, "I did review various reasoned perspectives on the topic that have satisfied an important professional responsibility: to ensure that the sharing of any one tradition ultimately highlights the universal nature of holiday celebration."
