Parents irked after school ditches Mother’s Day

Winnipeg families are decrying an elementary school’s decision to rebrand an annual tradition — making macaroni necklaces and other crafts for Mother’s Day — in the name of inclusion.

Grade 1 and 2 teachers at Sage Creek School informed parents this week that their children will bring home “family gifts” later this spring.

Instead of making items specifically for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, student-made creations will be distributed on May 15, the International Day of Families.

“Where is the line? What is next? At what point are you being more exclusive than inclusive?” said Ashley Dolphin, a mother of two, including a Grade 1 student at the kindergarten-to-Grade 8 school.

Dolphin said she supports schools introducing more holidays and cultural celebrations — not fewer of them.

The change is meant to “respect the diversity of families that are represented in our classroom and community,” her eldest child’s teacher wrote in an email on Monday.

The memo said students are welcome to use quiet and free-choice time to make specific cards or crafts for moms and dads for other upcoming observances.

Parents from four households contacted the Free Press to express their frustration they weren’t consulted about the decision.

“They should be taking parent input. These are our children’s minds that they’re helping shape,” said Tiffany Draper, a mother of two young sons in Sage Creek.

Principal Jason Dubeau defended the school’s approach, which he described as a way to encourage “safe and meaningful” participation among all students.

“We strive to create learning experiences where all students feel seen, respected, and included,” Dubeau said in a statement.

Marty Draper said he understands the school’s well-intentioned rationale, but it won’t prevent children from being triggered if they aren’t from a traditional family.

The father cited his experience growing up in the foster care system. His childhood is one many reasons he feels especially passionate about the importance of celebrating the mother of his children every year on the second Sunday of May, Marty said.

“Mothers have such an important role in raising our children — more so than fathers, it’s just a fact,” he said, adding that women are the ones who give birth, breastfeed and do more than their fair share of domestic labour.

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, Tiffany said she’s sad teachers aren’t using this opportunity to spark discussions about the different kinds of families and each one’s uniqueness.

It’s nice to be specifically acknowledged as a mom with a once-a-year celebration, she said. “Parenting is so hard… It’s just nice for the school to teach about how to appreciate someone and how to show gratitude,” Tiffany said.

Dolphin echoed those comments. Whether it’s preparing meals or taking children to extracurriculars, moms and dads — many of whom juggle full-time jobs — put in a lot of work and their efforts should be recognized, she said.

A similar debate took place in 2023 when an elementary school in East St. Paul introduced a “special someone week” in lieu of the binary celebrations.

One of the students at Dr. F.W.L. Hamilton School had recently lost his mother and grief counsellors had visited the building to provide support.

Backlash about the decision, criticized as offensive and “woke” online, resulted in the school celebrating three different caregiver-related celebrations that spring.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca