A ban on singing “Happy Birthday” lasted all of four days at Chesterfield Elementary School in Missouri after angry parents bombarded the school with complaints.
“Singing is not permitted due to the sensitivity of all student beliefs,” wrote Principal Jodi Davidson in a letter to parents dated August 13.
On August 23 Davidson sent another letter reversing the policy noting that students “are permitted and encouraged to sing the happy birthday song in the classroom.”
However, students will not be permitted to sing the traditional song in the cafeteria and all birthday treats must be individually inspected by the school nurse.
“We have lots of students who celebrate birthdays on the same day and we just didn’t want to have the loud chaos that happens in the cafeteria,” Davidson told KSDK television. “That should be a calming environment so that it’s safe for all students and they can celebrate their birthdays with their classmates and friends.”
Kim Cranston, a spokesperson for the Rockwood School District, told FOX News Radio, the initial ban on the birthday song was meant to protect the students.
“One of the things that she (Davidson) had explained to me is they always want to be sensitive to all ********,” Cranston said. “And there are some ******** in their school – as there are in many schools – who don’t participate in holiday or birthday celebrations.”
Cranston said to her knowledge there had been no prior complaints about the singing of the “Happy Birthday” song.
As for the inspections of the birthday goodies?
“We have to be especially careful with ******** with allergies,” she said.
While cupcakes and other pre-packaged treats are allowed, the school also encourages non-food related items to be distributed for birthday celebrations.
Among the “non-food” related items suggested by the principal are pencils, erasers, book marks, and book donations to the class library.
The school district acknowledged the situation could have been handled a bit more delicately.
“Mrs. Davidson has freely admitted that she didn’t communicate that very well,” Cranston said. “She has apologized.”
