Tomie DePola and Witches? Teaching Paganism in 1st grade?

Question

I specifically told my son's teacher in September I didn't want him celebrating Halloween or doing activities with witches or vampires in them (I'm not pagan or wiccan, so why push that on him?) and then I find out she's reading these books every day (Strega Nona is a witch, and there's an entire series on her). My son loves reading, and I think he could read about something other than witches and people like Strega Nona or Harry Potter! I'm tired of public schools pushing their humanism or occult-friendly views on my kids. I'm ready to call the principal at this point, because I already made my feelings clear at the beginning of the year. Comments from parents with similar convictions?

Answer 1

CALL THE SCHOOL.THIS IS WRONG.
IN FIRST GRADE .
GOD HELP ME, I WOULD BEAT THE TEACHER WITH THE BOOK.
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CALL THE TEACHER ON THIS.
MY DAUGHTER HAD THE TEACHER TAKE DOWN HER ASTROLOGY CHART.OR PUT UP THE CROSS.
TAKE A STAND.
PRAYING FOR YOU.

Answer 2

What stories are OK to read? Little Red Riding Hood - oh that has a talking wolf. Certainly not the Wizard of Oz. How about Shrek? Most of the classic fairy tales have witches and fairies - is your son not allowed to hear them? What about the Narnia Chronicles? They are based on Christian stories. Are they OK but what you define as Pagan not?

As a Pagan I can tell you there is a far cry from reading Harry Potter to teaching Paganism. I would have no problem with Narnia in the classroom. There is a difference between fantasy stories and teaching religion.

Is there any type Christmas celebration at the school? I suppose you have no problem with that - though there might be some parents who do not want their children singing Silent Night. If there is then Halloween festivities should be fine too. If one is allowed then the other should be. If you do not want your son to participate then it is up to you to keep him home that day. That way he wont have to see all the other kids having fun while he isn't allowed. Or the best would be to home school - that way you can make sure your son is only exposed to a very narrow world view.

Answer 3

Form a teen's point of view:
I've been growing up in a Chirstian household, and my parents have exposed me to all different forms of literature, even those that my not coincide with what the Bible teaches and I feel I have a more rounded view on the world because of it. They've also taught me since I was young that not everything you read is true and good and that you must rely on God to help you make that decision. Sit down with your child and explain to your child WHY you dislike the content of the books. Don't just say "because the Bible says so" or "I just don't like it". These reasons only make people more curious, therefore making it more interesting. If I were in your shoes, I would arrange a meeting with the teacher to explain why I would rather my child not be exposed to the material and suggest alternate activites for him, however I do think it is a little extreme to file a complaint with the principal.

Answer 4

you have the right to speak up and let the teachers know that you are not comfortable with your child being exposed to this. I let the teachers at my daughters school know that I was not cool with Harry Potter being read out loud in the classroom. If they were reading Bible stories you know there would be a huge outrage. Witchcraft and paganism is a religious issue and you have the right to either have the book not read in the class or have your child excused for personal reading time in the library or something while this book is being read. Better that the book not be read aloud because surely there are other parents who feel the same way but are not bold enough to speak out. The schools would have you believe otherwise, but parents need to realize, know and act on the fact that PARENTS are in charge of their children's education, not the government and not the schools.
Never feel intimidated by teachers and school staff- that is YOUR child, not theirs and you, ultimately are responsible for what your child is exposed to and what they learn- you have a voice in the schools and if you are made to believe that you don't then keep talking.
The schools should be at the mercy of the parents, NOT the other way around.

Answer 5

You are overreacting. The teacher is reading a STORY!!!

Strega Nona is a part of Tomie DePola's heritage. He is sharing it with young people. You need to relax.

Being a part of a school is learning to accept other parts of the community.You don't have to agree with it. You don't have to believe it. Just listen and LEARN.

Part of being a part of a school is learning tolerance and acceptance.

Harry Potter is a STORY!!!! Get real! The Harry Potter stories teach friendship, good v. evil and learning to adapt to situations one is not comfortable with. The stories also deal with challenges and peer pressure.

Go to the Principal if you really feel upset about it. But, you have to learn which battles to fight. You are upset about books? Why not be upset if there are not ENOUGH books? Or, not enough teachers?

Do you even know what humanism is? Apparently not.

Answer 6

Of course, you want people to agree with you. Well, first off your part of what's wrong with this country. Keeping your child from reading just because the subject is about something you don't like. How silly. Harry Potter is FANTASY!!! So is everything else they are liable to let him read in school about witches and so forth. Would you also prefer he not learn about the witch burnings in Salem? Or is that OK because they killed the b**ches? You are keeping your child from reading some of the best literature in his reading range if you ban Harry Potter. As far talking to the principle, I hope he laughs in your face you nutter. You would have done great with the Nazi's when they burned all those books. There is nothing wrong with letting a child read about the fantastic. Let him have an imagination. Just because he reads about witches and wizards and magic doesn't mean he's going to become a Wiccan.

Answer 7

I apologize ahead of time if what I'm about to say offends you:

There is no problem with the teacher, or the school system, exposing your child to a work of FICTION. The purpose of reading fictional literature is to broaden a person's perspective and to open their imagination. It is there to present moral and educational problems in a fantastical setting so that it is easier for the person to understand. I have not personally read the Strega Nona series, but if these stories are being read to a group of first graders I highly doubt that there are instructions on satanic rituals. Like some of the other people who answered you, I think you are over reacting. I understand you not wanting your child to be "warped" by something that you view as wrong... but if you're so concerned about what is going on in his little head after hearing these stories, why not try talking it out with him... that way, he not only gets to experience the fantasy that the stories give him, but he gets to spend time talking about it with someone he loves.

It's nice that you want to take part in your child's education, but you need to make sure that your role is one that is supportive to his learning and development. By tellling the fully trained and liscensed teacher what she is allowed to teach you are only hindering his education. That first grade teacher, no matter how long she's been on the job, is fully qualified to determine what is appropriate for your child's EDUCATION. It is up to you as a parent to support that and provide the MORAL education by letting him know the difference between real and make believe, right and wrong.

A few weeks ago the American Library Association released a list of the 25 most banned or challenged books in the public school system. People are banning books in schools for all kinds of "moral" reasons, yet they are taking away the foundation of what teaches us about morals. Take a look at the list, see that they are banning books like "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" These books, although controversial to some, have led many others toward a more open, understanding, and loving life. Do you not want your son to be the type of christian who loves his neighbor? Do you want him to be the one who is on the outside because he doesn't comprehend why this person acts the way they do? Tolerance and love of our fellow man is not taught by sheltering our children from everything that might be offensive... it is exposing them to it and helping them understand it.

And as for not wanting your son to celebrate halloween, why?
Halloween is a "holiday" so old, that there are numerous reasons behind it. It was the old Celtic version of New Year's Eve, the eve of All Saint's day to catholic believers, and to those who observe the wiccan or "pagan" faiths, it is Samhain: the english translation of which is "end of summer". I cannot fathom why someone would want to prevent their child from observing what is clearly a non malicious holiday because of the "bad" things that could be associated with it. Are you going to refuse to let him observe Good Friday because it marks the day of Christ's death? That is a bad association, and one that should be avoided based on your theories...

Basically the point is, if your son truly loves reading, don't limit him. If needs be, keep him to reading at his age level, but within that, let him read whatever it is that will keep him reading... The literacy level in the U.S. is low enough that we can't continue to bar our children from something that may spark their interest... reading promotes knowledge, self awarness, and diversity. As long as your son still enjoys reading, his chances of graduating high school and going on to college will double... reading will be his path to a better future, don't ruin that because you can't sit down and talk to him about whatever he may read.

Answer 8

Well, the only reason I'm answering your question is because you won my heart in your answer to the girl who's materialistically miserable. I hate money. It's filthy and it stinks of human infidelity.
Now on to your question...
My daughter is 5, and has just started public school kindergarten. They sent them home with a note saying they would have "spirit week" and dress certain ways in an effort to "say no to drugs".
Well, I'm all for spirit week, but when she asked me what "drugs" are, I'm at a loss for words. I had to explain ALL the times she's been sick in her innocent little minute life, and tell her that sometimes people want to take medicine because they don't really need it.
"Why?" She of course asks...
What the heck am I supposed to tell her? I agree that you should tell them about it, but don't force it upon them prematurely.
Like you with your issue. I'm sure you're not against good fun and candy giving amongst children to create memories, but why push the whole ghost and ghoul thing?
It's just something we as parents have to deal with unless we home school. ???
Good luck, and know that I feel your frustration, Mommy.

Answer 9

Why hide your child from these things? As long as your child isn't coming home asking to be a satanic priest these stories are harmless. In fact, by reading stories about witches around halloween your child will associate wiccan and other witch related religions with a child's holiday. So once your son grows up he will more than likely think "lame halloween costume" when someone tells him about these cults and their ranks.

Answer 10

don't be so sensitive. Strega Nona is a nice little children's story. I read it as a child and my parents never thought of it as being a story of the occult.

people like you are the reason why there is such irrational censorship.

Answer 11

I think this might be a good opportunity to tell your son that in life, there are people who believe a whole lot of things. Instead of avoiding it or getting upset about it, use it to teach him how to differentiate between that which is of God (the bible) and that which is not. We can't always have things go our way....use what comes your way to instruct your child in the ways of the world, and how to follow the straight path of God.