Alexandra Eanes could not believe it when she heard Kootenai Valley Head Start would no longer celebrate holidays in their classrooms. Like many people, Eanes found the decision misguided if the aim was inclusion. After all, her Early Head Start program acknowledges holidays.

Eanes serves as the executive director of Families in Partnership, an umbrella organization that runs Libby’s Early Head Start Center. She runs a program that cares for children from birth to three years of age. Early Head Start meets the parents or guardians of about 40 children in their homes, helping adults develop skills to educate their children. A group of eight students attend the Libby Early Head Start Center Monday through Thursday.

“We follow the exact same regulations,” Eanes said. “I’m gobsmacked. I can’t fathom how they can take the guidelines we have and strip the program of its values.”

A November letter to parents said Head Start would “not celebrate holidays in the classroom.” Parental reaction has been mixed, but both Eanes and Kootenai Valley reaction has been mixed, but both Eanes, and Kootenai Valley Head Start Director Peggy Rayome agree the decision has reflected poorly on the program.

“It has created horrible backlash,” Rayome said.

According to Rayome, the decision to not celebrate holidays followed a situation where one staff member pressured others to participate in a holiday program. Rayome said Education Coordinator Ken Foss made the decision in an effort to protect teachers from internal bickering.

The decision faltered when Kootenai Valley Head Start’s policy council and board learned of the change. Neither group was advised prior to the letter being sent.

“We didn’t think it needed to be a policy,” Rayome said. “Looking back, I would start by going to the policy council and board.”

In the most recent Family Times Newsletter sent to parents, a memo from the board reads: “Until a policy is placed, everything will go back to the way it was. This includes birthdays with treats and holiday parties and crafts.”

The crux of the differing interpretations is Performance Standard 1304.40(a)(5), which says Head Start programs “must be respectful of each family’s diversity and cultural and ethnic background.”

The question is: Does no celebration leave no one excluded? Or everyone?

Early Head Start, while limited by the capabilities of infants and toddlers, discusses “Christmas Around the World,” a lesson on various cultural celebrations.

“If we can’t be culturally diverse and teach that acceptance is right and good, I don’t know,” Eanes said.

While Rayome’s program works to establish a policy, she stands firm that holiday celebrations are not what young students need.

“That is not developmentally appropriate,” Rayome said. “The kids stand on stage and don’t even know what they are doing.”

A program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded. Rayome said her program received $684,000 in federal money. Eanes said Early Head Start received approximately $400,000.