By Andrea Calcagno
 
December 8, 2009
 
ASHLAND, Ore. - The giving tree recently taken down in an Ashland Elementary School will be put back up Wednesday.
 
Bellview Elementary had the tree removed from its lobby around Thanksgiving. School Principal Michelle Zundel says a family asked to have the tree taken down because it was offensive and uncomfortable for their children. The tree was replaced by two snowmen figures and a table filled with presents. The tree had been decorated with tags with requests from needy families.
 
Zundel says the decision to put the tree back up came after she received multiple emails and phone calls from concerned parents. The principal made the announcement at the beginning of a community meeting about the issue Tuesday evening.
 
"The reason I removed the tree, ironically, was to create a better sense of inclusion. This decision had exactly the opposite affect," Zundel said.
 
The Ashland School District also received hundreds of emails about the controversy from people across the country. The district plans to use Tuesday's comments to create clearer guidelines for teachers and principals in the future. The district plans to form a committee to address the issue.