It's Christmas time and Scrooge is alive and well, as school officials in Westford, near Boston, Massachusetts, told students to leave the cookies, cakes and Christmas sweets at home, and bring fruit, juices, popcorn and raisins instead.
But school officials have denied that they are being Scrooges denying children the Christmas spirit.
Scrooge officials claim the reason behind the Grinch decision is to promote a healthy lifestyle and stop children getting fat.
The school superintendent, Everett Olsen, said, "We are greatly limiting the kinds of drinks and sugary snacks that are allowed into the school with students or being served by us outside of the school food program."
(sounds like gobbledegook to us)
Everett Olsen wasn't finished: "We aren't trying to take the Christmas out of Christmas. We're not trying to take the enjoyment out of children's lives. We're just trying to act responsible."
(translated, that means: "We are trying to take the Christmas out of Christmas. We're trying to take the enjoyment out of children's lives.")
Students are instead being told to bring healthy snacks like fruit, raisins and juices to school parties.
The school's goal, is to limit the kinds of treats that pile on empty calories and contribute to obesity among youngsters.
(and may we add: trying to take the Christmas out of Christmas, and take the enjoyment out of children's lives.
Officials also said that they want to protect the growing number of children who suffer from allergies to various kinds of food.
Excuse us, but these people really want to take the Christmas out of Christmas and take the enjoyment out of children's lives.
They might as well just tell the kids to leave Christmas at home as well.
