ASSOCIATED PRESSEIGHTH-GRADE BOY SENT HOME FROM SCHOOL FOR JESUS CHRIST HALLOWEEN COSTUME
Saturday , November 01, 2008
PARAMUS, N.J. —
Dressing up as Jesus Christ for Halloween turned out to be a problem for a northern New Jersey boy.
Alex Woinski, an eighth-grader at West Brook Middle School in Paramus, was sent home from school on Friday because of his costume.
Alex, who has shoulder-length brown hair, wore a white robe, a red sash, sandals, a fake beard and a crown of thorns.
His mother says Alex was told he could keep the costume on if he removed the beard and crown of thorns, but he declined.
Superintendent James Montesano says the district doesn't want students wearing costumes that could be distracting.
Alex's mother is Catholic, and his father is Jewish.
He recently celebrated his Bar Mitzvah and is studying Bible scripture, according to his mom.
A. The Superintendent's comment is inane - almost all costumes, by definition, are distracting.
B. I wonder if a student dressed as the Devil would be allowed?
C. Will a savvy adult have a chat with Alex about the problems of unintentionally offending others?
This is a "teachable moment" that will no doubt be lost.
der Brucer