LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (03/09/97)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Public schools and Christmas

Dear Editor:

Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas and the 1997 winter holiday season? Not really - if your child attends the public school system.

This past year the Board of Education of Clifton, N.J., adopted a policy that allowed its schools to display the Nativity scene under a Christmas tree and ethnic customs and traditions during the holiday season. What's so unique about this new policy? You cannot appreciate the accomplishment unless you have personal experience of what it takes to get a policy adopted by a school board or convince the administration that they should not worry about the ACLU or that there is a way of teaching our students about the Christmas holiday and not worry about "breaking the law."

Perhaps the frustration set in 10 years ago, when my wife and I attended our first "holiday" program at our son's elementary school. As the program concluded, we realized that there was absolutely no mention of Christmas or singing of any traditional carols. As parents inquired of their respective principals, the answers were very consistent: "The board policy does not allow..."

After I was elected a trustee of the Clifton Board of Education, it became very apparent what it would take to turn the tide on policy development. The process is not easy, but if aggressively pursued you can be successful.

In our town we were fortunate to have a tenured custodial supervisor and teacher who approached the board and pushed for a holiday policy. This was my opportunity to aggressively pursue this project and find out once and for all what really could be accomplished. There were many obstacles, there were many excuses - even a "special committee" of five principals recommended this subject be dropped - but ultimately a policy was created based on legal parameters and other school district policies. The Clifton Board of Education adopted its own policy for the 1996 holiday season. Thirteen elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school were given permission to set up Christmas/holiday displays.

The philosophy of the newly adopted policy was quite clear. The Clifton Board of Education encourages all students and staff members to learn about and be tolerant of the religious views of other people. The board recognized that one of its educational goals is to advance students' knowledge and appreciation of the role that religious heritage has played in social, cultural and historical development.

Perhaps you are now motivated to accomplish the same goal in your school. To make your task as simple as possible, I will be happy to send you a copy of our policy. Send me a short note with your name and address, and the policy will be on its way.

Board meetings for public hearings are held twice each month, and I strongly encourage readers to go before the board with your request. Do not depend on any school official to carry out your wishes. You have a powerful voice - use it.

Good luck and, if you need any further information, do not hesitate to call.

Stefan Tatarenko
Clifton, N.J.

The writer may be reached at 25 Friar Lane, Clifton, N.J. 07013; telephone, (201) 777-4920.

Proud to see support for Ukraine

Dear Editor:

I enjoyed reading the February 2 article "Positive prospects for Ukraine, 1997."

I am proud to see my dedicated friends, Ukrainian Americans, Americans and others, supporting and developing economic stability and democracy in Ukraine.

A lot was done, a lot needs to be done. Together we can do it. We must be involved.

We in Michigan are privileged to have a first, if not the only, Ukrainian Bilateral Trade Team that was appointed by a state governor, John Engler (one of America's best governors, I might add).

Six members of this team are Ukrainian Americans, of which not all are Republicans.

We have the golden opportunity as the auto capital of the world to set all lines of communication for the present and future in trade with Ukraine.

Roman Kuropas
Warren, Mich.

The writer is a member of the Ukrainian Bilateral Trade Team and the Ukrainian American Republican Coalition, as well as an advisor of the Ukrainian National Association.

Don't shoot the messenger

Dear Editor:

In his lengthy critique of Myron Kuropas' column (February 16), Alexander B. Kuzma appears to have ignored the dictum that one doesn't shoot the messenger simply because he's bearing bad news.

True, Dr. Kuropas has hardly anything complimentary to say about the current situation in Ukraine, but then how can any objective observer fail to report the dismal state of affairs in our homeland? Dr. Kuropas' capsule description of Ukraine as "a socialist basket case," a country plagued by massive corruption and one without a clear national identity, basically agrees with what we see and hear in daily news reports. Even Mr. Kuzma must be aware that "the Emperor wears no clothes."

Of course, let us help Ukraine not only with humanitarian aid but also by promoting national pride and civic responsibility. But denying the realities of present-day Ukraine - as Mr. Kuzma would wish us to do - simply helps to perpetuate the abysmal situation. Publicizing the problem is the first step in rectifying it.

Yurij Hanas
Hamilton, Ontario

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