A notice sent to Wallingford-Swarthmore School District bus drivers not to have Christmas displays on buses has stirred up some controversy there, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Times.

The notice went out Friday after some parents objected to school bus Christmas decorations and clothing on the bus. 

“If you have decorated your bus with anything specific to the Christmas Holiday or any other decorations relating to a specific religion, please remove them immediately,” the notice read.

Employees were also instructed not to wear Christmas or religious-themed clothing or to play Christmas or religious-themed music.

Many on social media who saw the notice did not react well.

“Where did common sense go,” asked one person on the Wallingford PA Group on Facebook. “How does denying what is all around us help anyone?”

“This is absolutely insane,” said another.

School Superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille said after community complaints were raised about the district’s religious neutrality, he only reminded the transportation supervisor, Patti Diaferio, to find a balance and be inclusive of a diverse range of holiday traditions.

“We are committed to continuously improving our communication and fostering an inclusive environment for all,” he said.

Find out more about these school bus Christmas decorations in the Daily Times.

A decorated school bus (location unknown) back in 2020.

Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on DELCO Today in December 2023.