Christmas carols usually put people in the holiday spirit. But because Christmas is a Christian holiday, many teachers have opted to forgo singing carols in school. Merry Hyatt is not one of them. In fact, she encourages carols in her classrooms. Merry Hyatt and her brother, David Joseph Hyatt are proposing a state law that would allow all public schools to provide their students the opportunity to listen to or perform Christmas music.
Hyatt told Action News, "It's always been a problem because the kids love Christmas so much and it's just gotten worse. In the last few years they have decided that Christianity is not OK,. and it is my belief that kids need it and just a little bit would help."
The California Secretary of State announced Monday, the duo could begin collecting signatures for the measure. Public schools are currently allowed to play Christmas music for academic purposes, but it cannot be used to promote a particular religious belief. Hyatt said, "What is binding is our freedom to worship They are stifling our freedom to worship, so they are in the wrong and I'm trying to straighten it out."
Chico Unified School District officials say their schools conduct holiday programs each year. They say things have always worked throughout the years because they play music from all religious backgrounds. CUSD Assistant Superintendent Bob Feaster explained, "If a teacher is going to play Christmas music, they need to inform parents and give them a chance to opt out, but as far as I know now, there's a variety of music played during the winter holiday season in classrooms. But music isn't going on all the time because our main focus is kids learning."
The Hyatts have until the end of March to gather close to 433,971 signatures and get that initiative on the ballot next year. If the proposal becomes a law, parents would be allowed to have their child opt out of any caroling.
