The student body has heard about the decision not to put up the Giving Tree this year due to parent's and visitor's complaints. We are concerned that, by taking this display away, we are not following the Harley ideal of being accepting of all religions and of all people. The Harley School has a long standing tradition of religious inclusiveness from World Religions class to the Mandala display to the annual Candlelight celebration. The student body gains so much from being able to learn about all of these different religions and traditions. We also love how celebrating all of these different religions has become a part of the Harley tradition.
The Giving Tree is a long standing Harley tradition, and it has done a great deal of good for charities in the past. The vast majority of Harley students look forward to the tree as a service project just as any other service project that Harley presents us with (such as the pasta dinner, the soup kitchen, hospice, etc.), and we were very disappointed to hear that it is being taken away.
We, the student body, believe that there is a better solution to the concerns about the tree than simply taking it away without any community discussion. Our main proposal is to bring symbols from all of the other religions celebrated at Harley (similar to the Lower School or Candlelight display) and include them in the display with the giving tree. We believe that this solution is much truer to the Harley ideal of being inclusive to all religions, rather than penalizing certain religions because they are more widely celebrated. Because of Harley's commitment to student involvement, we hope to meet with you soon to further discuss this issue and possible solutions. We also hope to include the students more in the gathering and setting up of this display (or whatever solution we agree on), and, of course, donating to charity. The signatures that you see here are a testament to how strongly the student body feels about this issue, and how much we would like to get involved in finding a fair solution and making it happen.
Updates
November 21, 2013
The administration has acknowledged receipt of our proposal regarding the inclusive display. We are currently preparing to meet with representatives to discuss how this tradition can better reflect our school community.
November 21, 2013
The rapid growth of support for this cause highlights a shared commitment to maintaining our school traditions. This momentum underlines the expectation that administration will engage in a collaborative dialogue regarding the future of the Giving Tree.
Reached 100 supporters
November 21, 2013
39 Comments
With such a strong emphasis on mindfulness and empathy at Harley, I am disappointed that this tradition of charity is being taken away from the students.
I gave to the Giving Tree multiple times when I was at Harley, and it is a powerful reminder that there are people who have much less than we do and that we truly should spread the holiday cheer. I think there is a better solution.
There's no justification for removing the poor Giving Tree that would not also take away the other religious opportunities at Harley, like the very kind Buddhist monk who comes in the spring. Besides, the Giving Tree gets its name from a very nice children's book and its meaning is only charity; Christianity is merely a shade of influence on it. Besides, the Christmas Tree and the Giving Tree have very distinct nuances from each other.
The tree was not a symbol of Christianity to me. The tree was always a symbol of the amazing energy and happiness people get around the holiday. It was a symbol go the community coming together and giving back to the community. It was a reminder to the students how they should be humble, and have sympathy, and how there are people who have needs in this world far greater than ours. I loved seeing those tags disappear from the branches with each passing day, seeing the community interacting and trying to give instead of take. I'm sad to see that a good thing is going to waste because we are afraid of supporting ALL religions.
The Giving Tree is not merely a decoration, it is a place charity and giving, and getting rid of the project because not everyone celebrates the holiday the tree represents seems to go against the spirit of the holidays and Harley. If the tradition lives on with different decorations, so be it, but removing it seems foolish.
I loved the tree I was sad when they said they were changing the tradition .
Yeah, trees bitch!!!!
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The student body has heard about the decision not to put up the Giving Tree this year due to parent's and visitor's complaints. We are concerned that, by taking this display away, we are not following the Harley ideal of being accepting of all religions and of all people. The Harley School has a long standing tradition of religious inclusiveness from World Religions class to the Mandala display to the annual Candlelight celebration. The student body gains so much from being able to learn about all of these different religions and traditions. We also love how celebrating all of these different religions has become a part of the Harley tradition.
The Giving Tree is a long standing Harley tradition, and it has done a great deal of good for charities in the past. The vast majority of Harley students look forward to the tree as a service project just as any other service project that Harley presents us with (such as the pasta dinner, the soup kitchen, hospice, etc.), and we were very disappointed to hear that it is being taken away.
We, the student body, believe that there is a better solution to the concerns about the tree than simply taking it away without any community discussion. Our main proposal is to bring symbols from all of the other religions celebrated at Harley (similar to the Lower School or Candlelight display) and include them in the display with the giving tree. We believe that this solution is much truer to the Harley ideal of being inclusive to all religions, rather than penalizing certain religions because they are more widely celebrated. Because of Harley's commitment to student involvement, we hope to meet with you soon to further discuss this issue and possible solutions. We also hope to include the students more in the gathering and setting up of this display (or whatever solution we agree on), and, of course, donating to charity. The signatures that you see here are a testament to how strongly the student body feels about this issue, and how much we would like to get involved in finding a fair solution and making it happen.
Updates
November 21, 2013
The administration has acknowledged receipt of our proposal regarding the inclusive display. We are currently preparing to meet with representatives to discuss how this tradition can better reflect our school community.
November 21, 2013
The rapid growth of support for this cause highlights a shared commitment to maintaining our school traditions. This momentum underlines the expectation that administration will engage in a collaborative dialogue regarding the future of the Giving Tree.
Reached 100 supporters
November 21, 2013
39 Comments
Is not the Mandala a religious symbol? We embrace that event as a learning moment - teaching peace, self realization and charitable works. How does realizing a charitable event using a symbol of Christianity differ? Those who are uncomfortable with this event should implement a new a tradition that can highlight their beliefs to further enhance our children's experience. We are an inclusive community - share and teach - do not take away our water down this positive event. So short sighted in the education of our children.
With such a strong emphasis on mindfulness and empathy at Harley, I am disappointed that this tradition of charity is being taken away from the students.
I gave to the Giving Tree multiple times when I was at Harley, and it is a powerful reminder that there are people who have much less than we do and that we truly should spread the holiday cheer. I think there is a better solution.
There's no justification for removing the poor Giving Tree that would not also take away the other religious opportunities at Harley, like the very kind Buddhist monk who comes in the spring. Besides, the Giving Tree gets its name from a very nice children's book and its meaning is only charity; Christianity is merely a shade of influence on it. Besides, the Christmas Tree and the Giving Tree have very distinct nuances from each other.
The tree was not a symbol of Christianity to me. The tree was always a symbol of the amazing energy and happiness people get around the holiday. It was a symbol go the community coming together and giving back to the community. It was a reminder to the students how they should be humble, and have sympathy, and how there are people who have needs in this world far greater than ours. I loved seeing those tags disappear from the branches with each passing day, seeing the community interacting and trying to give instead of take. I'm sad to see that a good thing is going to waste because we are afraid of supporting ALL religions.
The Giving Tree is not merely a decoration, it is a place charity and giving, and getting rid of the project because not everyone celebrates the holiday the tree represents seems to go against the spirit of the holidays and Harley. If the tradition lives on with different decorations, so be it, but removing it seems foolish.
I loved the tree I was sad when they said they were changing the tradition .
Yeah, trees bitch!!!!
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Is not the Mandala a religious symbol? We embrace that event as a learning moment - teaching peace, self realization and charitable works. How does realizing a charitable event using a symbol of Christianity differ? Those who are uncomfortable with this event should implement a new a tradition that can highlight their beliefs to further enhance our children's experience. We are an inclusive community - share and teach - do not take away our water down this positive event. So short sighted in the education of our children.