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Elmwood Elementary’s Carnival: A Lesson in Inclusion
Last week at Elmwood Elementary in Queens, New York, a rather unfortunate situation unfolded during the end-of-year carnival. While over 900 kids reveled in inflatable slides and tasty treats outside, more than 100 students were stuck inside a dim auditorium, listening to the joyous screams of their classmates. The $10 admission fee meant that many kids, particularly those from low-income families, missed out on the fun.
According to reports, classes from pre-K to fifth grade took turns enjoying the festivities, while those who couldn’t pay were left watching old Disney movies. One teacher expressed her heartbreak over the situation, recounting how a seven-year-old girl was in tears because she was the only one from her class who couldn’t join the others. The kids inside were confused, even asking if they were being punished for something. The principal had made it clear that they wouldn’t change the rules to allow everyone to attend, insisting it wouldn’t be fair to those who paid. To add to the exclusion, teachers received stuffed animals to distribute only to the paying students, leaving others feeling even more left out.
The school made a $3,000 profit from the event, so it’s hard to see how allowing the excluded kids would have hurt them financially. After all, popcorn isn’t exactly expensive. While it’s great to celebrate the end of the year and raise funds for the school, this should never come at the expense of kids’ feelings. An event like this should be about inclusion, especially during school hours. It’s disheartening that a principal would choose to exclude young children in such a way.
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Conclusion
In summary, Elmwood Elementary’s carnival excluded many children due to a $10 admission fee, leaving them feeling isolated and confused while their classmates celebrated outside. It’s crucial for schools to foster inclusion and ensure that all students can participate in such events, especially during school hours.