We ask you to direct any principal who has directed any staff member to stop singing patriotic songs to retract that order and allow those staff members to resume this worthwhile expression of love of country that also serves as a history lesson through song. We also ask that moving forward Christmas or "holiday" concerts in Mendon-Upton be held during the holiday season and not months after and renamed "Harvest Concert" or "Winter Solstice Concert". Thank you for considering these two important requests.

As signers of this petition we support our schools and our teaching staff sharing a love of and pride in our country with our students and we support long standing American traditions in our schools like Christmas or holiday concerts. We have an outstanding and supportive school district with teachers and staff who are strong and compassionate advocates for our children but in this specific case we disagree with the districts position and policy and seek to have it changed.

This petition is important as it will send a message to our local school district and the Mendon-Upton Regional School Committee that as parents and community members we support long standing American traditions in our schools such as the singing of patriotic songs, the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, Christmas concerts, Christmas parties and other celebrations of different faiths in the classroom, Halloween parties and parades, Veterans Day events, Thanksgiving celebrations, Valentine's Day parties and other long standing traditions in America's schools. As parents of Mendon-Upton students we are proud of our country and its traditions and do not want to see them marginalized or banned in an attempt by school administrators to be seen as politically-correct.