An elementary school principal in Boston apologized after a fake tombstone featuring the name "Don Trump' was displayed at a Halloween-themed school function.
West Parish Elementary's parent-teacher organization had hosted a fundraiser featuring Halloween-inspired games and booths, including a bean bag toss that included fake tombstones -- one of which sported the name "Don Trump," according to CBS Boston.
Some parents at the function understandably took offense and sent pictures to Amanda Orlando Kesterson, a member of the Massachusetts Republican Party, who then shared the photos on her Facebook page with a post blasting the school for allowing the decoration:
"I find it absolutely despicable that the PTO of one of our local elementary schools would bring this political agenda before our children. The parents or teachers responsible for this disgusting display should claim responsibility publicly and apologize publicly as well. If it was an employee of our school system, I expect Dr. Safier to deal appropriately with this individual for this political ploy which has no place in our schools," Kesterson said.
"We should teach our children that the office of the president ALWAYS deserves respect. Our school system is not the place for nasty political agendas," she added.
Following the outcry, Dr. Telena Imel, the school's principal, apologized in a letter sent home to parents.
"Intentionally or not, it inappropriately brought a political agenda into what was designed to be a fun family affair,” she wrote. “Our school, and this includes school events sponsored by related groups, is not the place for politics. In planning future events, it will be made clear to organizers that school is not the place to engage in or to display political agendas or opinions.”
The parents behind the tombstone have also apologized.
While the school rightly apologized for the display, the whole debacle is yet another reminder that in 2017 America, nothing -- not even a children's Halloween party -- is safe from politics.
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(Photo credit: Amanda Orlando Kesterson, Facebook)