NEW YORK (WCBS/CNN) - An elementary school postponed its traditional father-daughter dance because of the city Department of Education's gender-neutral policy.
Some parents and students support the spirit of inclusiveness, but others say it's a case of political correctness going too far.
Girls at PS65 on Staten Island have been getting ready for the father daughter dance for months.
"You get to hang out with your friends go talk to them, dance with your dads," fifth-grader Victoria Cugini said.
This year's dance was supposed to be on Friday, right before Valentine's Day. The school's principal directed the PTA to reschedule it because of the gender-neutral policy put into place a year ago, which requires school events to include all types of students and families.
"It's kind of a letdown, but at least I can still spend time with my dad," fifth-grader Angelina Lubo said.
"It's supposed to be father and daughter. Father and daughter need to have a little relationship - you know feel good, daddy taking you out on your first date, get all dressed up," said grandparent Traci Javois.
The dance will be held in March and be open to the entire school community - not just fathers and daughters.
Some parents say being politically correct is getting in the way of reinforcing a special bond.
"It's almost as if they're taking it away," Parent Matt West said.
"You have to see my daughters face every time that we walk in," parent Gregorio Rosario said. "It's just like, 'Wow, my daddy's here.' And for us dads that we have the time - I actually make the time for it because I work at night - it's a pleasure."
Both the principal and the PTA president declined a request for an interview.
In a letter, the principal told parents they're now looking for a bigger venue to fit everyone.
"If there's a situation that's going to make a child uncomfortable, feel left out, sad because they can't attend, that's not what we want," parent Roxanne Ingoe said.
While some little girls have their dance shoes ready to go, they don't mind waiting so others can join them.
"It's fair because we also have mother-son bowling, and sometimes if girls want to go bowling, too, besides the mothers they can't," Angelina said.
It's not clear how this will affect other schools.
Nearby PS30 has a flier for an upcoming FUDGE dance - which stands for "Fun with Uncles, Dads Grandpa, Et Cetera."
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