STUDENTS GIVEN INSIGHT INTO REASONS FOR HOLIDAY SEASON

Over the years the December holiday season has transcended a single religious observance to become a time for recognizing a number of cultural and religious celebrations.

While Christmas is generally recognized in most schools with parties and various crafts, it usually loses its religious significance in the separation of school and state. Other cultural and religious holidays are virtually ignored to keep from crossing the line of religion in the schools. But some local teachers and administrators believe they are able to walk the fine line between church and state in teaching their students about the various reasons for the holiday season.

"I want the children to know not everybody celebrates the same things, and many different types of celebrations take place around this time," said Janice Meyer, owner and director of the Cape Girardeau Montessori School.

Meyer said this year Montessori students will learn about Hanakkuh, a Jewish religious celebration, and Kwanzaa, an African American cultural holiday, and they will discuss Christ and Santa Claus. "You have to get really childlike because there are so many different religions," she said. "So many children just know Santa Claus. We discuss it like it's a birthday party, and Jesus' birthday gift to everybody was Santa Claus."

Students at Treasured Moments Child Development Center in Jackson will learn about a number of holidays this season. "I did a lot with the customs, but I had to leave the religious side alone," said April Garner, the school's program director. She said she wants Treasured Moments' curriculum to properly represent the multiculturalism found in the United States.

"We focus on the customs, and I have to respect the side of people's religion," Garner said. "But I wanted to let them know that not everyone celebrates Christmas."

This month students at Treasured Moments are learning about various holidays that occur during this holiday season. Students also learn about different Christmas observances throughout the world. "We teach them that it is a holiday, and we give them an overview of why it's celebrated," Garner said.

Garner said a good example of this was Sinterklaas Day, a holiday from Holland which students celebrated on Friday. This holiday is used to explain the legend of Santa Claus, she said.

"We explain the Santa Claus name, and students make wooden shoes, which are also associated with the holiday, she said. Surprise gifts are left around the room, and elves also come and throw gifts in the doorway for the students," she said.

"We try to do things they can relate to and show or explain to others," Garner said. "The children have really grasped the idea about other customs. This is part of the United States, and we all need to know it."

Garner said public schools have a harder time with the holiday season because teachers are limited in what they can say to students.

"We try to stay away from religious holidays," said Dr. Barbara Kohlfield, principal at May Greene Elementary School.

Most of the teachers in Cape Girardeau's elementary schools were not planning activities centered around the holidays. However, one Jefferson School kindergarten teacher has planned Kwanzaa activities, and Washington School sixth-graders are planning an activity involving various December holidays.

Southeast Missouri State University students also have the opportunity to learn about various holidays. The University Center is hosting Home for the Holidays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Wednesday featuring a series of theme days.

On Friday students attended a Kwanzaa celebration featuring African music, harvest fruits and an open microphone for Kwanzaa readings and performances. Native fabrics and other materials were provided so that students could make picture frames to be given as gifts.

"We are serving fruits symbolizing harvest and fellowship, and trying to provide activities keeping within the meaning of Kwanzaa," said Amy Mitchell, one of the organizers for the Kwanzaa celebration. "We want this to be a demonstration day for the principles of Kwanzaa."