A Canadian grade school has stopped celebrating Mother's Day and Father's Day in favor of a joint holiday to celebrate families in a new push for diversity.
Sage Creek School in Winnipeg announced its Grade 1 and 2 students would be not individually celebrating the holidays this year, as it would opt for International Day of Families, celebrated on May 15.
'We strive to create learning experiences where all students feel seen, respected, and included,' Principal Jason Dubeau told The National Post in a statement.
'This approach reflects the diversity of family structures in our community and supports all students in participating in a way that feels safe and meaningful to them.'
During activities leading up to the new holiday, students will be able to make cards and other items for any of the three holidays.
Students will also still be encouraged to participate in the holidays that best reflect their own families.
School officials argued that rather than celebrating Mother's Day, where a student with two dads or only a single parent might not be able to participate, the school is focusing on celebrating all families.
However, not every parent is happy with the change, including mother and former Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri, who claimed the school was 'shaming the nuclear family.'
Principal Justin Dubeau said eliminating Mother's and Father's Days for International Day of Families helps 'reflect the diversity of family structures in our community'
The school will now have kids make crafts for International Day of the Families, which is celebrated on May 15
'There’s nothing inclusive about it at all, and I think it’s absolutely absurd,' she told The National Post.
'It’s removing one person’s rights for another person’s, instead of just adding to the conversation and saying: "If your mom’s not in your life, you make a card that fits best to you." But why should you punish a child who wants to celebrate their mother or father?'
Ashley Dolphin, who has children at the school, questioned to the Winnipeg Free Press about where the line would be drawn.
'What is next? At what point are you being more exclusive than inclusive?' she said.
The mother-of-two said she's fine to add more holidays to the school calendar, but not to erase others.
Tiffany Draper, who also has kids at the school, wished the education institution would have asked for 'parent input' before making the decision.
'These are our children’s minds that they’re helping shape,' she told the Winnipeg Free Press.
However, not everyone agreed that the individual holidays should be celebrated separately.
However, not every parent is happy, including former Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri (left), who claimed the school was 'shaming the nuclear family'
Sarah Korzinski, a teacher who worked in a different school district, said she has seen the way the individual holidays affect students, especially those who have lost a parent.
'The shift places the responsibility for celebrating and honoring mothers and fathers where it belongs, within the family,' she wrote in Castanet.
It takes away the pressure from teachers, whose jobs are to teach, she said.
International Day of Families was declared a day of observance by the United Nations in 1993.
This year's theme focuses on families, inequalities, and child wellbeing, the UN said.