A Michigan elementary school generated lots of media buzz over its decision to celebrate “Special People Day” instead of Mother’s Day.
School Board member Virginia Jeup confirmed in a social media post that Ferry Elementary School had replaced both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day with a more generic celebration.
“Ferry Elementary has replaced its kindergarten Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations with an event now called ‘Special People Day,’ Jeup wrote on Facebook.
Jeup was concerned that the change was erasing something that was deeply cherished by parents and grandparents in the district.
“The project sent to families never mentions mothers or fathers. It speaks only about those who celebrate, love or support the child, not the other way around,” she wrote. “That shift may seem subtle to some, but to many of us, it feels like a significant departure from something meaningful and good.”
The Detroit News obtained a copy of the letter that was sent home to the parents of kindergarten students.
“We’re excited to announce that our kindergarten classes will be celebrating Special People Day!” the letter read. “In place of traditional Mother’s Day or Father’s Day projects, each child will create a few handcrafted gifts to give to ‘special people’ in their life — someone who makes them feel loved, supported, and celebrated. This could be a grandparent, aunt or uncle, older sibling, family friend, or anyone else your child holds dear.”
School board member Jeup said she understood the sensitivity for children who might have lost a parent, but she said the solution was not to completely eliminate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
“Those little moments, when a kindergartener brings home a card proudly made for mom or dad, are not trivial,” she wrote on Facebook. “They are part of the warmth and personal connection that make our schools feel special. They bring joy and pride. They create memories we treasure for a lifetime.”
Former school board member Terry Collins urged parents to fight back, the Detroit News reports.
“The attacks on family continue in our district,” Collins wrote in a private chat group for parents. “To be clear, the messaging here is not, please choose someone if you don’t have a mom figure in your life. The message is choose someone other than mom or dad.”
The controversy has rocked the community with many parents siding with Collins and Jeup.
“This sounds like another way woke leftists deny the use of the word ‘mother,'” wrote one angry citizen of Grosse Point. “You school administrators make me sick.”
“I absolutely object to the indoctrination of young school age children who are being poisoned by this awful woke agenda,’ wrote another.
It’s certainly understandable to protect a small child who might have lost a parent, but the solution is not to completely eliminate the celebration for everyone else. Although, I’m a bit surprised Grosse Pointe did not simply rename the holiday, “Birthing Parent Day.”
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