Skip to main content

Brand X Pictures

Reports that a Seattle elementary school has renamed Easter eggs "spring spheres" are prompting objections that political correctness has gone too far.

According to the news site MyNorthwest.com a 16-year-old volunteer, who gave only her first name "Jessica," claims she was told by an elementary school teacher that she could hand out Easter eggs to a third-grade class, but only if she called them "spring spheres."

The story was picked up by numerous news organizations around the world, sparking outcry both from folks who balk at the idea of replacing "Easter" with "spring" and those appalled that third-graders are being told ovoids are "spheres."

But is the story actually true? Seattle school officials say they haven't confirmed the veracity of the teen's account.

"It's gone viral all over the place, but we haven't heard if or when it happened," Teresa Wippel, spokeswoman for Seattle Public Schools told SeattlePI.com.

While the "spring sphere" incident may be dubious, many places do replace the word "Easter" with "spring." The city of Seattle, for instance, holds annual "spring egg hunts" instead of Easter egg hunts. Boyton Beach, Fl., also calls its event the "Annual Spring Egg-Stravaganza."

Does removing Easter from eggs matter? Tell us what you think.

Follow related authors and topics

Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following.

Interact with The Globe