Stoney Creek elementary school cancels ‘Lightyear’ viewing due to ‘questionable content’

Primary students at a Stoney Creek school will see Sing 2" instead of Lightyear" on their movie trip on Wednesday after the school's principal decided to switch the movie.

This change has been made ... due to questionable content in the movie that we feel is not suitable for all of our students," read a letter to families obtained by The Spectator.

The letter was signed by the principal of St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Elementary School, Michael Mielko, and classroom teachers for students from junior kindergarten to Grade 3, the grades included in the trip.

The letter offers parents a refund if they no longer want their child to join the trip.

Lightyear," an action-adventure animated film that tells the origin story of the character that inspired Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story," has been the subject of controversy due to a single same-sex kiss shared by two women.

The movie, co-produced by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures, has been banned in several countries, most in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Mielko did not respond to The Spectator's request for comment by deadline on Monday.

Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board spokesperson Marnie Jadon cited rude humour" and age-inappropriate content" as the reasons for the switch, but offered no specifics.

The school staff felt that the language and overall content was beyond what was appropriate for four- and five-year-olds," she said in an email. Particularly with younger students, schools would always err on the side of caution."

According to the Hamilton Mountain Cineplex, Lightyear is rated G" for general audiences, meaning it's suitable for all ages. At some U.S. theatres the movie is rated PG" for action/peril."

Kate McCullough is an education reporter at The Spectator. kmccullough@thespec.com