A Halloween party display at a Massachusetts elementary school outraged parents and prompted an apology from the principal.
A fundraiser hosted by the parent teacher organization at the West Parish Elementary School in Gloucester, created some controversy Friday when one of the parents brought in fake tombstones as part of a bean bag toss game, WBZ-TV reported.
It wasn’t the game causing the fright, however, but one of the tombstones which had “Don Trump” printed upon it.
Massachusetts Republican Party committeewoman, Amanda Orlando Kesterson, received photos of the tombstone sent to her by irate parents at the event.
“I find it absolutely despicable that the PTO of one of our local elementary schools would bring this political agenda before our children,” Kesterson wrote on Facebook when she posted one of the pictures. “The parents or teachers responsible for this disgusting display should claim responsibility publicly and apologize publicly as well.”
She went on to say that the office of president should always be respected and schools were not an appropriate place for “nasty political agendas.
“Politics does not belong in an elementary school–any politics,” she told WBZ NewsRadiol. “But it’s particularly egregious to be putting the name of the sitting US president on a tombstone.”
In a letter to parents of the Gloucester school, Principal Dr. Telena Imel offered an apology.
The offending tombstone was meant to be “humorous,” according to the parent who brought it in to the “Haunted Happenings” fundraiser, Imel wrote, noting that others found it disrespectful.
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“And, intentionally or not, it inappropriately brought a political agenda into what was designed to be a fun family affair,” the letter stated. “Our school, and this includes school events sponsored by related groups, is not the place for politics. In planning future events, it will be made clear to organizers that school is not the place to engage in or to display political agendas or opinions.”
The responsible parents apologized and that was apparently satisfactory for Kesterson, according to WBZ-TV.
Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken also made it clear that no political agendas would be tolerated in the district’s schools.
“The City of Gloucester does not condone political messaging within our schools,” she said in a statement Monday. “We share the sentiments outlined in recent school administration statements and have made our expectations clear. We support the Superintendent’s Office in their efforts to provide a meaningful resolution and believe that the school administration is responding appropriately toward our community.”
Twitter users agreed that the tombstone, however it was intended, was offensive and some felt the apology was not enough.
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I agree. Kids are impressionable&shouldn’t deal w/murkier side of politics. As far as they’re concerned he’s Potus. Adults deal w/ the rest.
— T.M.N (@Newfamilyguy) October 23, 2017
APOLOGY NOT GOOD ENOUGH! Elementary school principal sorry for Trump tombstone at Halloween party https://t.co/a4keKEasos
— E Devoe ?? (@elliemae0404) October 24, 2017
Strike up more disgusting behavior out of the looney left.
— DanBuckto (@danholyo) October 23, 2017
Probably the same school that celebrated “Black and Orange Spirit Day”. These schools are becoming a joke. #NoPoliticalCorrectness
— Tim Babbini (@tntbabs) October 23, 2017
If Obama’s name had been on headstone a year ago there would be riots & ppl screaming racism…now it’s ok❓?Hate is hate no matter the color
— NRLA09 (@NRLA09) October 23, 2017
Teaching those children to be disrespectful and wanting our POTUS in a grave….this is sickening and shameful
— Linda?? (@WYVettelvr) October 23, 2017
I REALLY dislike Trump, but this isn’t ok. We need to strive for a respectful discord, especially w/those whom we disagree.
— Tyler D. Phelan (@TylerDPhelan) October 23, 2017
If schools do this in the open, imagine what they teach our kids behind closed doors.
Oh wait, we do…trans sex and Socialism.— William Carson (@TitaniumTestis) October 23, 2017
So inappropriate!!! pic.twitter.com/gCvaUmyGqj
— Luis (@LuisDHern) October 24, 2017
This is EXACTLY the kind of crap that divides this country and indoctrinates our children. Do these people understand the damage this does?
— Scott (@RAWHM1000X) October 24, 2017
New headstone names for things lefties kill:
MORALITY
SANITY
SEXUAL NORMS
JUSTICE
INNOCENCE
LIFE— Black Mesa Research (@BlackMesa1998) October 23, 2017
With all these anti Americans out there im surprised one of the other tombstones didn’t say RIP America.
— Spencer Pisel (@SpencerPisel) October 23, 2017
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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