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Teacher Forced to Remove Christmas Decoration

Catherine Gordon posted about the incident on Facebook

A Maine schoolteacher said she was forced to remove a pink "Hello Kitty" Christmas tree from her classroom, a move that she argued shows society has reached a troubling "turning point."

According to Catherine Gordon's Facebook post, the school's principal told her she was no longer allowed to put up the tree. It was the first time in 30 years that she was told the holiday display had to go, she wrote. [[363232181, C]]

Gordon explained "the tree had no religious symbols on it whatsoever. No crosses or angels - just pink Hello Kitties and my students really enjoyed it and it cheered me up during the day."

Gordon was not told that there had been a change in the policy regarding classroom decorations, the Bangor Daily News reported. The paper was not successful at reaching the school's principal for comment.

Necn left a message for Principal Butler in response to the decision to remove the tree as well.

Gordon put the tree up on Wednesday and was told to take it down Friday, prompting questions from her students.

She explained that the students were just as disappointed as she was.

"It just sucks the joy out of everything," she wrote.

Gordon's Facebook post has gained widespread attention on social media.

Maine Congressman Bruce Poliquin posted on his Facebook page as well to criticize the decision.

"Displaying a Christmas tree is a longstanding tradition in our country. It should not be condemned, especially in our classrooms," he wrote. [[363233021, C]]

The congressman released a statement encouraging the Bangor School Department to reconsider their decision to remove the tree.

Gordon wrote that she used to be able to throw holiday parties for her students right before break but that is no longer allowed as well.

She added, “I feel that this is definitely a turning point in our society - when everything offends everyone all the time.”

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