APS proposed school year calendar up

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The proposed 2025/2026 calendar has many Muslim and Jewish religious holidays, but they scrapped Easter Monday...
They really make a point of mentioning all religious holidays by name, but not Christmas or Easter, why?

Easter Monday isn't really a thing. Easter is observed on Sunday.


Incorrect. Easter Monday is a Christian holiday. It's observed as a national holiday in nearly all English speaking countries, including Great Britain, Canada, Australia, as well as in nearly all of Europe.

That's cultural, not religious. Just like if July 4th is on a Sunday, we'll get the day off on Monday. That doesn't make the holiday the Monday. Easter is on Sunday.


Easter Monday is a holiday in the Catholic Church.

https://www.calendar-12.com/catholic_holidays/2024
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2021/03/04/the-catholic-church-celebrates-easter-monday-under-the-title-monday-of-the-angel/

As are Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Assention and Assumption. That doesn't mean they're observed with school closures in the US.


Sure, but I wasn't arguing that. The PP just said it wasn't a religious holiday. I answered it was.

But all those other holidays are observed with school closures in APS during spring break.


Uh...no, they aren't. Maudy Tuesday is merely the day before Lent begins. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Ascension Thursday and Assumption have nothing to do with Easter and are not part of Holy Week. Holy week includes "holy Thursday" and "Good Friday." And Maudy Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are not "holidays." Actually, none of them are - they are considered "holy days."

But[b] I agree with the comment above about not naming Christmas or Easter, but we are sure to name all the other religions' holidays. It's not inclusive to name the Christian ones, apparently. And they are lumped in with long school breaks; so they don't have to name them[/b].


This is truly baffling to me; noticed it more and more the last 5 years or so, or was it always like this? No email, no communication - whether from teachers, schools, or APS even mentions Easter and Christmas by name, ever. But plenty of communication wishing a Happy <other religious holiday>, or explaining things the schools will do for other religious holidays.


It's inconsistent but if Christian nationalism/dominance hadn't been a problem in US schools we wouldn't be in this situation.


The majority of people in a country celebrating certain religious holidays is not a “problem.”

+1
So tired of "inclusion by exclusion." It isn't "inclusive" to merely shift the pendulum to the far side. You become inclusive by putting the pendulum in the middle. They stopped referring to "christmas" many years ago - too offensive to non-Christians (many of whom "celebrate" Christmas anyway with all their decorating and gift-giving). But it's ridiculous to recognize and specifically acknowledge all the other religions' special days and not the Christian ones. "Happy Holidays" is offensive to a lot of Christians I know. But not traumatizing someone by mentioning Christmas is apparently a bigger priority.

You had me until: "Happy Holidays" is offensive to a lot of Christians I know. Why on earth would a Christian be offended by this. There are several Christian holidays in addition to Christmas in December and January. St. Nicholas Day, Epiphany, St. Basil's day (for the Orthodox Christians out there). This is why people refer to the period from end of November to early January as "the holidays". There is no war on Christmas.
Anonymous
I don’t think it’s offensive to anyone to say “happy holidays.” But it does become silly when the superintendent’s message specifically references every other religious holiday that APS observes except Christmas (at least, I don’t recall it being mentioned. I could be mistaken). Name them all, or don’t name any.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The proposed 2025/2026 calendar has many Muslim and Jewish religious holidays, but they scrapped Easter Monday...
They really make a point of mentioning all religious holidays by name, but not Christmas or Easter, why?

Easter Monday isn't really a thing. Easter is observed on Sunday.


Incorrect. Easter Monday is a Christian holiday. It's observed as a national holiday in nearly all English speaking countries, including Great Britain, Canada, Australia, as well as in nearly all of Europe.

That's cultural, not religious. Just like if July 4th is on a Sunday, we'll get the day off on Monday. That doesn't make the holiday the Monday. Easter is on Sunday.


Easter Monday is a holiday in the Catholic Church.

https://www.calendar-12.com/catholic_holidays/2024
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2021/03/04/the-catholic-church-celebrates-easter-monday-under-the-title-monday-of-the-angel/

As are Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Assention and Assumption. That doesn't mean they're observed with school closures in the US.


Sure, but I wasn't arguing that. The PP just said it wasn't a religious holiday. I answered it was.

But all those other holidays are observed with school closures in APS during spring break.


Uh...no, they aren't. Maudy Tuesday is merely the day before Lent begins. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Ascension Thursday and Assumption have nothing to do with Easter and are not part of Holy Week. Holy week includes "holy Thursday" and "Good Friday." And Maudy Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are not "holidays." Actually, none of them are - they are considered "holy days."

But[b] I agree with the comment above about not naming Christmas or Easter, but we are sure to name all the other religions' holidays. It's not inclusive to name the Christian ones, apparently. And they are lumped in with long school breaks; so they don't have to name them[/b].


This is truly baffling to me; noticed it more and more the last 5 years or so, or was it always like this? No email, no communication - whether from teachers, schools, or APS even mentions Easter and Christmas by name, ever. But plenty of communication wishing a Happy <other religious holiday>, or explaining things the schools will do for other religious holidays.


It's inconsistent but if Christian nationalism/dominance hadn't been a problem in US schools we wouldn't be in this situation.


The majority of people in a country celebrating certain religious holidays is not a “problem.”

+1
So tired of "inclusion by exclusion." It isn't "inclusive" to merely shift the pendulum to the far side. You become inclusive by putting the pendulum in the middle. They stopped referring to "christmas" many years ago - too offensive to non-Christians (many of whom "celebrate" Christmas anyway with all their decorating and gift-giving). But it's ridiculous to recognize and specifically acknowledge all the other religions' special days and not the Christian ones. "Happy Holidays" is offensive to a lot of Christians I know. But not traumatizing someone by mentioning Christmas is apparently a bigger priority.

You had me until: "Happy Holidays" is offensive to a lot of Christians I know. Why on earth would a Christian be offended by this. There are several Christian holidays in addition to Christmas in December and January. St. Nicholas Day, Epiphany, St. Basil's day (for the Orthodox Christians out there). This is why people refer to the period from end of November to early January as "the holidays". There is no war on Christmas.


Personally, I agree. Just saying, I've had Christian friends specifically decry the lack of "Merry Christmas" these days, and feeling that you can't say "Merry Christmas" because you might say it to someone who isn't a Christian and offend them. I'm not offended if someone wishes me a Happy Hannukah or a blessed whatever else. All the bruhaha over freedom of expression and free speech, but people need to refrain from saying phrases that express their religious beliefs.
Anonymous
I do not care what holiday people wish me b/c it's them spreading cheer. They aren't trying to offend me.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The proposed 2025/2026 calendar has many Muslim and Jewish religious holidays, but they scrapped Easter Monday...
They really make a point of mentioning all religious holidays by name, but not Christmas or Easter, why?

Easter Monday isn't really a thing. Easter is observed on Sunday.


Incorrect. Easter Monday is a Christian holiday. It's observed as a national holiday in nearly all English speaking countries, including Great Britain, Canada, Australia, as well as in nearly all of Europe.

That's cultural, not religious. Just like if July 4th is on a Sunday, we'll get the day off on Monday. That doesn't make the holiday the Monday. Easter is on Sunday.


Easter Monday is a holiday in the Catholic Church.

https://www.calendar-12.com/catholic_holidays/2024
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2021/03/04/the-catholic-church-celebrates-easter-monday-under-the-title-monday-of-the-angel/

As are Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Assention and Assumption. That doesn't mean they're observed with school closures in the US.


Sure, but I wasn't arguing that. The PP just said it wasn't a religious holiday. I answered it was.

But all those other holidays are observed with school closures in APS during spring break.


Uh...no, they aren't. Maudy Tuesday is merely the day before Lent begins. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Ascension Thursday and Assumption have nothing to do with Easter and are not part of Holy Week. Holy week includes "holy Thursday" and "Good Friday." And Maudy Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are not "holidays." Actually, none of them are - they are considered "holy days."

But[b] I agree with the comment above about not naming Christmas or Easter, but we are sure to name all the other religions' holidays. It's not inclusive to name the Christian ones, apparently. And they are lumped in with long school breaks; so they don't have to name them[/b].


This is truly baffling to me; noticed it more and more the last 5 years or so, or was it always like this? No email, no communication - whether from teachers, schools, or APS even mentions Easter and Christmas by name, ever. But plenty of communication wishing a Happy <other religious holiday>, or explaining things the schools will do for other religious holidays.


It's inconsistent but if Christian nationalism/dominance hadn't been a problem in US schools we wouldn't be in this situation.


The majority of people in a country celebrating certain religious holidays is not a “problem.”

+1
So tired of "inclusion by exclusion." It isn't "inclusive" to merely shift the pendulum to the far side. You become inclusive by putting the pendulum in the middle. They stopped referring to "christmas" many years ago - too offensive to non-Christians (many of whom "celebrate" Christmas anyway with all their decorating and gift-giving). But it's ridiculous to recognize and specifically acknowledge all the other religions' special days and not the Christian ones. "Happy Holidays" is offensive to a lot of Christians I know. But not traumatizing someone by mentioning Christmas is apparently a bigger priority.

You had me until: "Happy Holidays" is offensive to a lot of Christians I know. Why on earth would a Christian be offended by this. There are several Christian holidays in addition to Christmas in December and January. St. Nicholas Day, Epiphany, St. Basil's day (for the Orthodox Christians out there). This is why people refer to the period from end of November to early January as "the holidays". There is no war on Christmas.


I disagree that this is the reason we've resorted to "Happy Holidays." We have defaulted to Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas specifically to detract from Christmas per se - to include hanakkah, New years, and other non-Christians participating in Christmas traditions, etc.
Anonymous
Bets on how many kids are in school on Nov. 4th? With Diwali on Fri and Election day/grade prep day on Tues, I bet at least a third of kids will skip on Mon to have a 5 day weekend.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I guess I am in minority bc I am all for more school days and shorter summer breaks. Provided of course they are actually teaching and not just playing for three weeks following SOLs.


I also don't really care about shorter summers. Less summer camp I have to pay for.


Wait til you kids are older and want to do other things — the summer program one wants to do starts week of June 16. The sports camp on a college campus the other wants to do starts the same.


So pull them from school early. Absolutely zero happens in those final days of school for any of the kids, younger or older.


I disagree. My HS kids have had finals on the last day of school in previous years. The last 4 days of school are finals - half day of class plus 1 final on Friday followed by 2 finals M-W the following week. And teachers do not let you move up a final.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Bets on how many kids are in school on Nov. 4th? With Diwali on Fri and Election day/grade prep day on Tues, I bet at least a third of kids will skip on Mon to have a 5 day weekend.


I am already thinking about it! Caribbean here we come. lol
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Bets on how many kids are in school on Nov. 4th? With Diwali on Fri and Election day/grade prep day on Tues, I bet at least a third of kids will skip on Mon to have a 5 day weekend.


Definitely planning it here!
Anonymous
Also planning for a vacation here.
Anonymous
Kids will always get all of the federal holidays off because there are so many government workers in this area.
Anonymous
Did anyone watch yesterday’s meeting? I can’t find online if they voted for the calendars as-is or changed something.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Did anyone watch yesterday’s meeting? I can’t find online if they voted for the calendars as-is or changed something.


I didn't watch it either, but I'll give you one guess which way they voted
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Kids will always get all of the federal holidays off because there are so many government workers in this area.


As a government worker I would rather my kid go to school on federal holidays so I can enjoy a day off to myself lol.
Anonymous
They just sent an email that the proposed calendars were approved
post reply Forum Index » VA Public Schools other than FCPS
Message Quick Reply
Go to: