Fox News is Dishonest Once Again

Fox News posted this little piece on its website at the end of November.

School Bans Christmas Colors

A school in Florida has not only banned Christmas - but everything associated with the Christian holiday.
Teachers at Heathrow Elementary School have been ordered to banish images of Santa Claus from classrooms - along with traditional Christmas colors like red and green.

"You can't use red and green," one outraged parent told WESH. "It's ridiculous."

The parent, who serves as a volunteer room mother, said she was recently given a list of guidelines that listed the holiday restrictions.

She said the basic theme of the letter was, "We don't want to offend anyone who doesn't believe in Santa Claus or the Christian beliefs."

Apparently, Fox News never bothered to confirm the story.  Never bothered to communicate the school in question to clarify.  Didn't do anything.  Period.

When the school found out about the article, it sent the following letter to Fox.

November 29, 2010

The school district of Seminole County would like to correct the recent news stories regarding the "ban of red and green" at Heathrow Elementary School in Lake Mary, Florida. The banning of red and green is simply not true

Out of respect for their diverse community, the common practice for December classroom activities has been a winter theme which can include red, green, or any color.

Unfortunately the principal of the school was not contacted by any parent prior to the news stories. Parents are encouraged to contact the principal with any questions relating to school policies and practices.

Regina Murray Klaers
Public Information Officer
Seminole County Public Schools

[Florida has a very broad Public Records Law. Virtually all written communications to or from School District Personnel are public records available to the public and media upon request. E-mail sent or received on the School District system will be considered public and will only be withheld from disclosure if deemed confidential pursuant to State Law.]

How did Fox respond?  To their credit, the posted the contents of the letter beneath the original story, but instead of editing or correcting the original story, the simply placed a question mark behind the headline.

School Bans Christmas Colors?

As if that makes up for their dishonest and incompetent reporting on the matter.


You can see the page for yourself here.