Source: Democrat and Chronicle

http://www.rochesterdandc.com/news/1221story6_news.shtml

On December 21, 2002 the Democrat and Chronicle reported that "the removal this week of three decorated evergreen trees from a seasonal display at Park Road Elementary School [in Pittsburgh] has touched off a lively and heated debate about religious symbols and their place, if any, in public schools... The display in Park Road’s foyer, called 'Winter Magic,' was created by volunteers from the Parent Teacher Student Association... Three decorated evergreen trees, snowmen and candy canes were displayed beneath cutout stars and snowflakes hanging from the ceiling... Superintendent Mary Alice Price said the display, specifically the evergreen trees, brought complaints from several parents who cited the trees’ religious overtones and also upset staff members who believed the display breached school policy... Those concerns were brought to the attention of the central office, and the three trees were removed from the display, Price said... Students in the district represent 12 religious faiths, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism... 'What is decorating to some people, others find is religious symbol,' Price said. 'It’s a very fine line, so what we say is that unless it is an educational experience, we should stay away from it. That is what the line has been. We review these things every year, but every time you think that it is clear, someone looks at it a little bit differently, and that’s what happened to us this year.'”