A US primary school principal has been placed on leave after a memo leaked revealing she had banned candy canes from her school.
Jennifer Sinclair, the principal at Manchester Elementary School in Nebraska, claimed there’s a hidden religious meaning behind the Christmas treat.
Fox News reported that Sinclair sent out a memo to teachers outlining what Christmas decorations could be used in classrooms. She claimed that candy canes were not appropriate and did not want to offend people who did not celebrate Christmas.
According to the memo, Sinclair believed the “J” shape stood for “Jesus”, adding that the red and white colouring represented his blood and resurrection.
“I feel uncomfortable that I have to get this specific, but for everyone’s comfort, I will,” Sinclair wrote.
The principal claimed acceptable Christmas-themed decorations included gingerbread, snowmen, penguins, polar bears and Olaf from Disney movie Frozen.
According to CBS News, the School District attorney apologised to parents, informing them that the principal had since been placed on leave and that her views did not align with the district’s policy.