The Canceling of Carols at Crow Island School
At Crow Island School, parents recently learned from students that no holiday songs were going to be allowed at the annual “Winter Sing” this year. Songs like “Jingle Bell Rock” were out and only music about “gathering” was in.
One parent who contacted the school said “Honestly, I am fine with having songs that celebrate Hanukkah and other holidays, but that we are pretending Christmas and other holidays don’t happen and can’t be celebrated in a classroom sing is ridiculous.”
The holiday songs were canceled by Crow Island music teacher Carey Crows, who in 2020 wrote “Resources for an Anti-Racist Music Classroom,” featuring social justice language such as “decolonizing the classroom” and “allyship,” as well as pointing to resources such as “Black Lives Matter, Music Ed and Current Discourse,” “Finding Music Resources: Anti-Racist Pedagogy” and episodes of the 1619 Project podcast about music.
But – we bring you good news this holiday season! After parents and Crow Island principal Luke Livingston stepped in – he spent two days observing music classes to ensure balance – holiday music including “Jingle Bell Rock” was reinstated.
We are glad the program again will be a pluralistic holiday celebration, rather than the chance for a teacher to push her political agenda on grade schoolers.
And way to go, Crow Island parents. We hope more will stand up in 2024.
