TELL US: Does 'Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer' Condone Bullying?

Does the lovable children's holiday classic send the wrong message? Tell us your thoughts.

In October, Patch asked readers how they felt about one parent's view that "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" condoned bullying. Specifically, blogger DadCamp wrote that the show sends the wrong message to children because of its "continuous teasing and bullying" It's not the first time a parent has spoken out against a classic children's program with such a claim. Last December, news spread that author and special ed professor George Giuliani said that "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was also a program laden with the theme of bullying, considering how much Rudolph was an outsider due to his glowing red nose. Giuliani, as such, wrote a book titled "No More Bullies at the North Pole," which re-tells the story of Rudolph. What do you …

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Betty Smith

8:10 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012

I do see your point.   more ›

Track Santa’s Journey on Patch

Where is Santa? Patch will be offering NORAD's reports about Santa Claus’ whereabouts on Christmas Eve.

Santa Claus is preparing his sleigh and his workshop is putting the final touches on the toys. On Christmas Eve, Santa will make his worldwide trek – and Patch will be there to let you know his location and when he comes to Massachusetts. Check back with Patch on Christmas Eve (Saturday, Dec. 24) and we’ll provide NORAD's latest information about Santa Claus’ location. You can check Santa's current whereabouts with the map above (from NORAD) or by clicking here: http://www.noradsanta.org/en/

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Hardman: Hey Santa, I Believe in You

Columnist still believes in Santa despite no big screen TV.

Dear Santa, How have you been? I hope this letter finds both you and Mrs. Claus in good health. I've been meaning to write you my list for this year, but I've been kinda of busy with this Patch thing. Anyway, for the last 20 years or so, I've asked for a big-screen TV, and I'm still waiting. I know I haven't always been good. Just the other day, a nice police officer pulled me over because I forgot to put my registration sticker on my license plate. It was due in July. Procrastination is a problem. I'm not exactly neat around the house. I have this bad habit of making a mess in the kitchen when I cook breakfast. I know my wife has spoken to you about this on more than one occasion. In fact, I think it has been one of her Christmas wishes. …

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My Norwood

The Magic of the Season

How one man embodied the spirit of Christmas for the town year after year.

The magic of Christmas is all around us. Tomorrow night, children will go to bed with that feeling of such innocent, uncontainable excitement. I wish I could bottle up that feeling and take it out every once in awhile. There is nothing like the feeling those few minutes before falling into dreamland on Christmas Eve. The most magical night of the year is less then twenty four hours away, and Santa Claus is coming to Norwood. When I was a child I would get so excited on Christmas Eve, yet I was always so afraid that because of my excitement I wouldn't fall asleep and Santa wouldn't come. But he always did. In fact, for about twenty years, Santa made sure to stop in Norwood three times during the Christmas season; once at the St. Catherine's…

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Santa Claus is Coming to Your TV

NPA-TV airs its yearly live special with the jolly old elf tonight.

Santa Claus is coming to Norwood. Tonight NPA-TV will continue its annual tradition of inviting Santa Claus in for a one hour live special aired on NPA's town channel. This is the fifth year in a row NPA-TV has had Santa in the studio before Christmas, and the jolly man in red will sit with NPA host Jack McCarthy starting at 6:30 p.m. McCarthy and Claus will again be taking phone calls from Norwood children who have questions to ask. The show will last until 7:30 p.m. Parents can call the studio TV line at 781-352-2605 to have their children talk with Santa. Claus and NPA are asking that parents snap a photo of their child while on the phone with Santa and email it to karen@npatv.org by tomorrow morning. NPA will edit the pictures in to …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today, Dec. 20

Like the fact that Santa Claus is, in fact, coming to town.

1. Yesterday's predicted snowstorm may have blown out to sea, but the National Weather Service is now saying that snow is likely for Tuesday night into Wednesday this week. Keep watching Patch for updates - we may yet see a white Christmas. 2. For the fifth year in a row NPA-TV has invited Santa Claus back to the studio to take phone calls from Norwood children. Tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. parents can call the NPA-TV studio phone line at 781-352-2605 to have their children talk with Santa. 3. Norwood Patch wants to know the best places in town to grab last minute gifts. If there's a shop you count on every year for great present ideas, let us know! Email kelly.glista@patch.com. 4. Norwood hockey had a strong weekend, with both the …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today, Nov. 29

The Monday after a holiday weekend is always tough, so here's the important stuff.

1. Winter classes at the Civic start today! 2. The School Committee will meet today at 4:00 p.m. at the Savage Center. Discussion will center on the budget for the next fiscal year. 3. Only today and tomorrow left in the Morrill library's Food for Fines program. Pay your overdue book fines with donations of non-perishable food items for the food pantry. 4. The Circle of Hope Luminary Night is this coming Saturday, but you can buy a luminary bag ahead of time from the Circle of Hope for $5 from any Foundation board member by calling 781-762-3549 or mailing a check and messages to The Circle of Hope Foundation, 24 Myrtle St., Norwood, MA 02062. 5. Headed to the mall for some holiday shopping? Santa Claus is now at the Walpole Mall. Be sure …

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