School division says no bad intentions behind Oxbow musical performance

The public school division in southeastern Saskatchewan says there was no political agenda behind a holiday concert that has sparked anger in Oxbow.

Last Thursday, students at the Oxbow Prairie Horizons School performed the musical Santa Goes Green.

The show has set off outrage, much of it online, with many people viewing it as a dig at the oil and gas industry. Some online users have been calling for school staff to be disciplined.

Inciting anger was not the intent, according to the board chair of the South East Cornerstone Public School Division, Audrey Trombley.

“We know that the school had no intent to bash the oil industry. We support the industry in southeast Saskatchewan and the oil industry has supported our schools,” said Trombley.

“There was no intention to insult anyone. As I say, we live in an area where we have a very, very environmentally-controlled industry. We have lots of regulations.”

Trombley said the musical set was chosen for its musical qualities, specifically its rhythm and tempo.

The show was put on by students from kindergarten to Grade 5.

“I’m disappointed that it turned out this way for the kids and for the staff,” she said.

There’s no indication the controversy will change how holiday concerts would be organized in the future. Trombley couldn’t say if schools would be advised to stick to generic Christmas themes.

Santa Goes Green was composed by John Jacobson and Mac Huff, and is suggested for students in Grades 4-8.

The suite includes seven songs:

• The Greenhouse Effect
• It’s Our World
• Merry, Merry Christmas
• Power To The People
• Recycle The Fruitcake
• Turn Off The Pump (And Plug In The Sleigh)
• We’re Goin’ Green

Many people online, particularly on Facebook, have found the song, “Turn Off The Pump,” particularly offensive.

The following are lyrics from the first two verses:

Turn off the pump and plug in the sleigh

It’s gonna be a green holiday

We’re powered up now and we’re ready for flight

So, please don’t forget to turn off the lights

Just look to the sky and you ought to see us

We’re pulling a sleigh that runs like a Prius

While some deer get by eating green grass

We’re powered instead by clean burning gas