Yay! Another religious holiday!

[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:Kids do NOT need the breaks. School is already so easy. Academics are at all time low. It's pathetic that parents think their kids can't handle 5 days/week of school.

Speak for yourself. My kid is doing just fine. And I absolutely think they need breaks. You point to academics only but the stress on these kids is at an all time high and that is due to many reasons discussed ad nauseum on here. They need a break and can still have consistency w/o their a---es in a seat 5 days/week. College, grad school . . . they won't be in class 5 days/ week. By HS, they for sure do not need to be 5 days a week all day.

School (FCPS) is not stressful. If your kids are stressed, it's because of something else.

Your kid must go to Mount Vernon or something.

+1

+2. Varsity athlete, 2 Clubs, all honors, 1 AP (in lower grade HS). HW every night plus practice. Kid needs a break. I'm fine with some days off and a longer winter break. But would prefer no explicit recognition (days off) for religious holidays. Religion does not belong in public schools, Christian, Jewish, Muslim or anything else. Re: winter break and Christmas, you can dispense with that if you want, we won't be in school over the holidays and most people want. So your school days won't see much new material anyway. Have at it . . .

You’re contradicting yourself.

You’re holidays matter but other peoples holidays should not belong in public school? How about we move winter break to the end of the quarter? Would you still not show up to school for two weeks around Christmas?

Can you read? Christmas matters to me. I don't give a rat's behind if it is celebrated in school. How is that a contradiction?

We would not be in school for the week between Christmas and New Years, no. And a lot of other people wouldn't either, including teachers. THAT is why winter break is what it is (at some point it doesn't make sense to proceed b/c of lack of attendance). But, break changed, our plans wouldn't.

I think PP is objecting to a full two weeks off for Christmas. You not being there between Christmas and New Years makes sense. Needing the full week before Christmas as well is ridiculous, especially when complaining about one day off for other religious holidays. By the way, many Jews celebrate two days of Rosh Hashanah, so it's not even like they got their full holy day off. Diwali is five days, but they only got one day off to celebrate. Christmas, meanwhile, is one day, and we get a whole week for it. Not to say that Winter Break shouldn't be the full week between Christmas and New Year's, given that New Year's is so close to it, but just pointing out that it's hypocritical to complain about four single days off for other faiths.

It's not hypocritical. They can give NO religious days off if they choose and I'd be fine with it. I simply would not go on Christmas or the days around that as it is family time, we travel, etc. There should be no days off for any religion. And if they have given for some, they should for all and they have not done so.

I also think those of you making the comparison to Christmas are ridiculous. Christmas is not, and never will, be an open day for schools. Too many people celebrate it, secular and religious aspects in varying degrees. It's cultural as much as religious (and we do not celebrate the religious aspects in any way). School is closed because so many people will be out and traveling for those two weeks (esp in this area with lots of families having to travel back to home states and countries). It's logistics, not religion dictating the winter break. That will never change.

Christmas is not secular or cultural. The "as much as religious" is the problem. I'm not arguing to have school on Christmas, because (as you point out) it would be a logistical impossibility, and because I have no objection to Christians celebrating one of their holiest days as a day off from school regardless. Even Jewish Day Schools have Winter Break at the end of December in this country, because that's when our society takes a break. But it's hypocritical to say "I would just take Christmas off if it were a school day" because a. you know you won't actually ever have to do that, and b. Winter Break is structured around Christmas to give it as a day off, so religion is inherently in the school calendar and the only thing minority religions are asking is for a few additional days off of our own.
xoxo,
Jewish FCPS parent

Why? You want time off, take it. But why halt a huge school system for a day off? Can we agree the calendar as it has been this year doesn’t work!! It’s not doing justice to anyone-especially kids. There are too many days off!

There are EXACTLY the same number of days off as any other year. You don’t like how they are allocated. Deal with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one complains about multiple days off for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving isn't a religious holiday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one complains about multiple days off for Thanksgiving.

Do you think anyone would return to school on the Friday after Thanksgiving? Or Teachers?

[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:Kids do NOT need the breaks. School is already so easy. Academics are at all time low. It's pathetic that parents think their kids can't handle 5 days/week of school.

Speak for yourself. My kid is doing just fine. And I absolutely think they need breaks. You point to academics only but the stress on these kids is at an all time high and that is due to many reasons discussed ad nauseum on here. They need a break and can still have consistency w/o their a---es in a seat 5 days/week. College, grad school . . . they won't be in class 5 days/ week. By HS, they for sure do not need to be 5 days a week all day.

School (FCPS) is not stressful. If your kids are stressed, it's because of something else.

Your kid must go to Mount Vernon or something.

+1

+2. Varsity athlete, 2 Clubs, all honors, 1 AP (in lower grade HS). HW every night plus practice. Kid needs a break. I'm fine with some days off and a longer winter break. But would prefer no explicit recognition (days off) for religious holidays. Religion does not belong in public schools, Christian, Jewish, Muslim or anything else. Re: winter break and Christmas, you can dispense with that if you want, we won't be in school over the holidays and most people want. So your school days won't see much new material anyway. Have at it . . .

You’re contradicting yourself.

You’re holidays matter but other peoples holidays should not belong in public school? How about we move winter break to the end of the quarter? Would you still not show up to school for two weeks around Christmas?

Can you read? Christmas matters to me. I don't give a rat's behind if it is celebrated in school. How is that a contradiction?

We would not be in school for the week between Christmas and New Years, no. And a lot of other people wouldn't either, including teachers. THAT is why winter break is what it is (at some point it doesn't make sense to proceed b/c of lack of attendance). But, break changed, our plans wouldn't.

I think PP is objecting to a full two weeks off for Christmas. You not being there between Christmas and New Years makes sense. Needing the full week before Christmas as well is ridiculous, especially when complaining about one day off for other religious holidays. By the way, many Jews celebrate two days of Rosh Hashanah, so it's not even like they got their full holy day off. Diwali is five days, but they only got one day off to celebrate. Christmas, meanwhile, is one day, and we get a whole week for it. Not to say that Winter Break shouldn't be the full week between Christmas and New Year's, given that New Year's is so close to it, but just pointing out that it's hypocritical to complain about four single days off for other faiths.

It's not hypocritical. They can give NO religious days off if they choose and I'd be fine with it. I simply would not go on Christmas or the days around that as it is family time, we travel, etc. There should be no days off for any religion. And if they have given for some, they should for all and they have not done so.

I also think those of you making the comparison to Christmas are ridiculous. Christmas is not, and never will, be an open day for schools. Too many people celebrate it, secular and religious aspects in varying degrees. It's cultural as much as religious (and we do not celebrate the religious aspects in any way). School is closed because so many people will be out and traveling for those two weeks (esp in this area with lots of families having to travel back to home states and countries). It's logistics, not religion dictating the winter break. That will never change.

Christmas is not secular or cultural. The "as much as religious" is the problem. I'm not arguing to have school on Christmas, because (as you point out) it would be a logistical impossibility, and because I have no objection to Christians celebrating one of their holiest days as a day off from school regardless. Even Jewish Day Schools have Winter Break at the end of December in this country, because that's when our society takes a break. But it's hypocritical to say "I would just take Christmas off if it were a school day" because a. you know you won't actually ever have to do that, and b. Winter Break is structured around Christmas to give it as a day off, so religion is inherently in the school calendar and the only thing minority religions are asking is for a few additional days off of our own.
xoxo,
Jewish FCPS parent

Why? You want time off, take it. But why halt a huge school system for a day off? Can we agree the calendar as it has been this year doesn’t work!! It’s not doing justice to anyone-especially kids. There are too many days off!

There are EXACTLY the same number of days off as any other year. You don’t like how they are allocated. Deal with it.

DP. No one likes it except the teachers. But even some of them hate it too. It’s hard to find a rhythm when the scho year starts like this. Going into the holidays and things are a mess.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:Kids do NOT need the breaks. School is already so easy. Academics are at all time low. It's pathetic that parents think their kids can't handle 5 days/week of school.

Speak for yourself. My kid is doing just fine. And I absolutely think they need breaks. You point to academics only but the stress on these kids is at an all time high and that is due to many reasons discussed ad nauseum on here. They need a break and can still have consistency w/o their a---es in a seat 5 days/week. College, grad school . . . they won't be in class 5 days/ week. By HS, they for sure do not need to be 5 days a week all day.

School (FCPS) is not stressful. If your kids are stressed, it's because of something else.

Your kid must go to Mount Vernon or something.

+1

+2. Varsity athlete, 2 Clubs, all honors, 1 AP (in lower grade HS). HW every night plus practice. Kid needs a break. I'm fine with some days off and a longer winter break. But would prefer no explicit recognition (days off) for religious holidays. Religion does not belong in public schools, Christian, Jewish, Muslim or anything else. Re: winter break and Christmas, you can dispense with that if you want, we won't be in school over the holidays and most people want. So your school days won't see much new material anyway. Have at it . . .

You’re contradicting yourself.

You’re holidays matter but other peoples holidays should not belong in public school? How about we move winter break to the end of the quarter? Would you still not show up to school for two weeks around Christmas?

Can you read? Christmas matters to me. I don't give a rat's behind if it is celebrated in school. How is that a contradiction?

We would not be in school for the week between Christmas and New Years, no. And a lot of other people wouldn't either, including teachers. THAT is why winter break is what it is (at some point it doesn't make sense to proceed b/c of lack of attendance). But, break changed, our plans wouldn't.

I think PP is objecting to a full two weeks off for Christmas. You not being there between Christmas and New Years makes sense. Needing the full week before Christmas as well is ridiculous, especially when complaining about one day off for other religious holidays. By the way, many Jews celebrate two days of Rosh Hashanah, so it's not even like they got their full holy day off. Diwali is five days, but they only got one day off to celebrate. Christmas, meanwhile, is one day, and we get a whole week for it. Not to say that Winter Break shouldn't be the full week between Christmas and New Year's, given that New Year's is so close to it, but just pointing out that it's hypocritical to complain about four single days off for other faiths.

It's not hypocritical. They can give NO religious days off if they choose and I'd be fine with it. I simply would not go on Christmas or the days around that as it is family time, we travel, etc. There should be no days off for any religion. And if they have given for some, they should for all and they have not done so.

I also think those of you making the comparison to Christmas are ridiculous. Christmas is not, and never will, be an open day for schools. Too many people celebrate it, secular and religious aspects in varying degrees. It's cultural as much as religious (and we do not celebrate the religious aspects in any way). School is closed because so many people will be out and traveling for those two weeks (esp in this area with lots of families having to travel back to home states and countries). It's logistics, not religion dictating the winter break. That will never change.

Christmas is not secular or cultural. The "as much as religious" is the problem. I'm not arguing to have school on Christmas, because (as you point out) it would be a logistical impossibility, and because I have no objection to Christians celebrating one of their holiest days as a day off from school regardless. Even Jewish Day Schools have Winter Break at the end of December in this country, because that's when our society takes a break. But it's hypocritical to say "I would just take Christmas off if it were a school day" because a. you know you won't actually ever have to do that, and b. Winter Break is structured around Christmas to give it as a day off, so religion is inherently in the school calendar and the only thing minority religions are asking is for a few additional days off of our own.
xoxo,
Jewish FCPS parent

Why? You want time off, take it. But why halt a huge school system for a day off? Can we agree the calendar as it has been this year doesn’t work!! It’s not doing justice to anyone-especially kids. There are too many days off!

There are EXACTLY the same number of days off as any other year. You don’t like how they are allocated. Deal with it.

DP. No one likes it except the teachers. But even some of them hate it too. It’s hard to find a rhythm when the scho year starts like this. Going into the holidays and things are a mess.

I know a lot of parents who like it. In fact, some of them commented in this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one complains about multiple days off for Thanksgiving.

Do you think anyone would return to school on the Friday after Thanksgiving? Or Teachers?

Same rationale for the Christmas break. Both holidays are major travel times of the year.

Same for Chinese New Year back home

[Anonymous]

Another useless day off!!

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids do NOT need the breaks. School is already so easy. Academics are at all time low. It's pathetic that parents think their kids can't handle 5 days/week of school.

Speak for yourself. My kid is doing just fine. And I absolutely think they need breaks. You point to academics only but the stress on these kids is at an all time high and that is due to many reasons discussed ad nauseum on here. They need a break and can still have consistency w/o their a---es in a seat 5 days/week. College, grad school . . . they won't be in class 5 days/ week. By HS, they for sure do not need to be 5 days a week all day.

School (FCPS) is not stressful. If your kids are stressed, it's because of something else.

Your kid must go to Mount Vernon or something.

+1

+2. Varsity athlete, 2 Clubs, all honors, 1 AP (in lower grade HS). HW every night plus practice. Kid needs a break. I'm fine with some days off and a longer winter break. But would prefer no explicit recognition (days off) for religious holidays. Religion does not belong in public schools, Christian, Jewish, Muslim or anything else. Re: winter break and Christmas, you can dispense with that if you want, we won't be in school over the holidays and most people want. So your school days won't see much new material anyway. Have at it . . .

You’re contradicting yourself.

You’re holidays matter but other peoples holidays should not belong in public school? How about we move winter break to the end of the quarter? Would you still not show up to school for two weeks around Christmas?

Can you read? Christmas matters to me. I don't give a rat's behind if it is celebrated in school. How is that a contradiction?

We would not be in school for the week between Christmas and New Years, no. And a lot of other people wouldn't either, including teachers. THAT is why winter break is what it is (at some point it doesn't make sense to proceed b/c of lack of attendance). But, break changed, our plans wouldn't.

I think PP is objecting to a full two weeks off for Christmas. You not being there between Christmas and New Years makes sense. Needing the full week before Christmas as well is ridiculous, especially when complaining about one day off for other religious holidays. By the way, many Jews celebrate two days of Rosh Hashanah, so it's not even like they got their full holy day off. Diwali is five days, but they only got one day off to celebrate. Christmas, meanwhile, is one day, and we get a whole week for it. Not to say that Winter Break shouldn't be the full week between Christmas and New Year's, given that New Year's is so close to it, but just pointing out that it's hypocritical to complain about four single days off for other faiths.

It's not hypocritical. They can give NO religious days off if they choose and I'd be fine with it. I simply would not go on Christmas or the days around that as it is family time, we travel, etc. There should be no days off for any religion. And if they have given for some, they should for all and they have not done so.

I also think those of you making the comparison to Christmas are ridiculous. Christmas is not, and never will, be an open day for schools. Too many people celebrate it, secular and religious aspects in varying degrees. It's cultural as much as religious (and we do not celebrate the religious aspects in any way). School is closed because so many people will be out and traveling for those two weeks (esp in this area with lots of families having to travel back to home states and countries). It's logistics, not religion dictating the winter break. That will never change.

Christmas is not secular or cultural. The "as much as religious" is the problem. I'm not arguing to have school on Christmas, because (as you point out) it would be a logistical impossibility, and because I have no objection to Christians celebrating one of their holiest days as a day off from school regardless. Even Jewish Day Schools have Winter Break at the end of December in this country, because that's when our society takes a break. But it's hypocritical to say "I would just take Christmas off if it were a school day" because a. you know you won't actually ever have to do that, and b. Winter Break is structured around Christmas to give it as a day off, so religion is inherently in the school calendar and the only thing minority religions are asking is for a few additional days off of our own.
xoxo,
Jewish FCPS parent

Why? You want time off, take it. But why halt a huge school system for a day off? Can we agree the calendar as it has been this year doesn’t work!! It’s not doing justice to anyone-especially kids. There are too many days off!

There are EXACTLY the same number of days off as any other year. You don’t like how they are allocated. Deal with it.

DP. No one likes it except the teachers. But even some of them hate it too. It’s hard to find a rhythm when the scho year starts like this. Going into the holidays and things are a mess.

I know a lot of parents who like it. In fact, some of them commented in this thread.

Mhm. Probably parents who are teachers. Parents that have to actually work on Mondays, like normal people, are pissed. Have had to reschedule way too much this month to accommodate this and our kids think it’s just normal to be home from school an extra day every week at this point. And here comes the holiday season. Joy. Maybe they’ll get into a routine in the spring.

[Anonymous]

Black Friday is a secular religious holiday.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids do NOT need the breaks. School is already so easy. Academics are at all time low. It's pathetic that parents think their kids can't handle 5 days/week of school.

Speak for yourself. My kid is doing just fine. And I absolutely think they need breaks. You point to academics only but the stress on these kids is at an all time high and that is due to many reasons discussed ad nauseum on here. They need a break and can still have consistency w/o their a---es in a seat 5 days/week. College, grad school . . . they won't be in class 5 days/ week. By HS, they for sure do not need to be 5 days a week all day.

School (FCPS) is not stressful. If your kids are stressed, it's because of something else.

Your kid must go to Mount Vernon or something.

+1

+2. Varsity athlete, 2 Clubs, all honors, 1 AP (in lower grade HS). HW every night plus practice. Kid needs a break. I'm fine with some days off and a longer winter break. But would prefer no explicit recognition (days off) for religious holidays. Religion does not belong in public schools, Christian, Jewish, Muslim or anything else. Re: winter break and Christmas, you can dispense with that if you want, we won't be in school over the holidays and most people want. So your school days won't see much new material anyway. Have at it . . .

You’re contradicting yourself.

You’re holidays matter but other peoples holidays should not belong in public school? How about we move winter break to the end of the quarter? Would you still not show up to school for two weeks around Christmas?

Can you read? Christmas matters to me. I don't give a rat's behind if it is celebrated in school. How is that a contradiction?

We would not be in school for the week between Christmas and New Years, no. And a lot of other people wouldn't either, including teachers. THAT is why winter break is what it is (at some point it doesn't make sense to proceed b/c of lack of attendance). But, break changed, our plans wouldn't.

I think PP is objecting to a full two weeks off for Christmas. You not being there between Christmas and New Years makes sense. Needing the full week before Christmas as well is ridiculous, especially when complaining about one day off for other religious holidays. By the way, many Jews celebrate two days of Rosh Hashanah, so it's not even like they got their full holy day off. Diwali is five days, but they only got one day off to celebrate. Christmas, meanwhile, is one day, and we get a whole week for it. Not to say that Winter Break shouldn't be the full week between Christmas and New Year's, given that New Year's is so close to it, but just pointing out that it's hypocritical to complain about four single days off for other faiths.

It's not hypocritical. They can give NO religious days off if they choose and I'd be fine with it. I simply would not go on Christmas or the days around that as it is family time, we travel, etc. There should be no days off for any religion. And if they have given for some, they should for all and they have not done so.

I also think those of you making the comparison to Christmas are ridiculous. Christmas is not, and never will, be an open day for schools. Too many people celebrate it, secular and religious aspects in varying degrees. It's cultural as much as religious (and we do not celebrate the religious aspects in any way). School is closed because so many people will be out and traveling for those two weeks (esp in this area with lots of families having to travel back to home states and countries). It's logistics, not religion dictating the winter break. That will never change.

Christmas is not secular or cultural. The "as much as religious" is the problem. I'm not arguing to have school on Christmas, because (as you point out) it would be a logistical impossibility, and because I have no objection to Christians celebrating one of their holiest days as a day off from school regardless. Even Jewish Day Schools have Winter Break at the end of December in this country, because that's when our society takes a break. But it's hypocritical to say "I would just take Christmas off if it were a school day" because a. you know you won't actually ever have to do that, and b. Winter Break is structured around Christmas to give it as a day off, so religion is inherently in the school calendar and the only thing minority religions are asking is for a few additional days off of our own.
xoxo,
Jewish FCPS parent

Why? You want time off, take it. But why halt a huge school system for a day off? Can we agree the calendar as it has been this year doesn’t work!! It’s not doing justice to anyone-especially kids. There are too many days off!

There are EXACTLY the same number of days off as any other year. You don’t like how they are allocated. Deal with it.

DP. No one likes it except the teachers. But even some of them hate it too. It’s hard to find a rhythm when the scho year starts like this. Going into the holidays and things are a mess.

I know a lot of parents who like it. In fact, some of them commented in this thread.

Mhm. Probably parents who are teachers. Parents that have to actually work on Mondays, like normal people, are pissed. Have had to reschedule way too much this month to accommodate this and our kids think it’s just normal to be home from school an extra day every week at this point. And here comes the holiday season. Joy. Maybe they’ll get into a routine in the spring.

All the SAHM love the days off. Working parents of course hate them.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids do NOT need the breaks. School is already so easy. Academics are at all time low. It's pathetic that parents think their kids can't handle 5 days/week of school.

Speak for yourself. My kid is doing just fine. And I absolutely think they need breaks. You point to academics only but the stress on these kids is at an all time high and that is due to many reasons discussed ad nauseum on here. They need a break and can still have consistency w/o their a---es in a seat 5 days/week. College, grad school . . . they won't be in class 5 days/ week. By HS, they for sure do not need to be 5 days a week all day.

School (FCPS) is not stressful. If your kids are stressed, it's because of something else.

Your kid must go to Mount Vernon or something.

+1

+2. Varsity athlete, 2 Clubs, all honors, 1 AP (in lower grade HS). HW every night plus practice. Kid needs a break. I'm fine with some days off and a longer winter break. But would prefer no explicit recognition (days off) for religious holidays. Religion does not belong in public schools, Christian, Jewish, Muslim or anything else. Re: winter break and Christmas, you can dispense with that if you want, we won't be in school over the holidays and most people want. So your school days won't see much new material anyway. Have at it . . .

You’re contradicting yourself.

You’re holidays matter but other peoples holidays should not belong in public school? How about we move winter break to the end of the quarter? Would you still not show up to school for two weeks around Christmas?

Can you read? Christmas matters to me. I don't give a rat's behind if it is celebrated in school. How is that a contradiction?

We would not be in school for the week between Christmas and New Years, no. And a lot of other people wouldn't either, including teachers. THAT is why winter break is what it is (at some point it doesn't make sense to proceed b/c of lack of attendance). But, break changed, our plans wouldn't.

I think PP is objecting to a full two weeks off for Christmas. You not being there between Christmas and New Years makes sense. Needing the full week before Christmas as well is ridiculous, especially when complaining about one day off for other religious holidays. By the way, many Jews celebrate two days of Rosh Hashanah, so it's not even like they got their full holy day off. Diwali is five days, but they only got one day off to celebrate. Christmas, meanwhile, is one day, and we get a whole week for it. Not to say that Winter Break shouldn't be the full week between Christmas and New Year's, given that New Year's is so close to it, but just pointing out that it's hypocritical to complain about four single days off for other faiths.

It's not hypocritical. They can give NO religious days off if they choose and I'd be fine with it. I simply would not go on Christmas or the days around that as it is family time, we travel, etc. There should be no days off for any religion. And if they have given for some, they should for all and they have not done so.

I also think those of you making the comparison to Christmas are ridiculous. Christmas is not, and never will, be an open day for schools. Too many people celebrate it, secular and religious aspects in varying degrees. It's cultural as much as religious (and we do not celebrate the religious aspects in any way). School is closed because so many people will be out and traveling for those two weeks (esp in this area with lots of families having to travel back to home states and countries). It's logistics, not religion dictating the winter break. That will never change.

Christmas is not secular or cultural. The "as much as religious" is the problem. I'm not arguing to have school on Christmas, because (as you point out) it would be a logistical impossibility, and because I have no objection to Christians celebrating one of their holiest days as a day off from school regardless. Even Jewish Day Schools have Winter Break at the end of December in this country, because that's when our society takes a break. But it's hypocritical to say "I would just take Christmas off if it were a school day" because a. you know you won't actually ever have to do that, and b. Winter Break is structured around Christmas to give it as a day off, so religion is inherently in the school calendar and the only thing minority religions are asking is for a few additional days off of our own.
xoxo,
Jewish FCPS parent

Why? You want time off, take it. But why halt a huge school system for a day off? Can we agree the calendar as it has been this year doesn’t work!! It’s not doing justice to anyone-especially kids. There are too many days off!

There are EXACTLY the same number of days off as any other year. You don’t like how they are allocated. Deal with it.

DP. No one likes it except the teachers. But even some of them hate it too. It’s hard to find a rhythm when the scho year starts like this. Going into the holidays and things are a mess.

I know a lot of parents who like it. In fact, some of them commented in this thread.

Mhm. Probably parents who are teachers. Parents that have to actually work on Mondays, like normal people, are pissed. Have had to reschedule way too much this month to accommodate this and our kids think it’s just normal to be home from school an extra day every week at this point. And here comes the holiday season. Joy. Maybe they’ll get into a routine in the spring.

Not a parent who is a teacher. I'm grateful for these random days off, because it is saving both mine and DD's sanity. Wake up time of 5:30 AM is brutal. There is no getting around that. Doing it 4x a week instead of 5, makes a huge amount of difference to how well we both function.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids do NOT need the breaks. School is already so easy. Academics are at all time low. It's pathetic that parents think their kids can't handle 5 days/week of school.

Speak for yourself. My kid is doing just fine. And I absolutely think they need breaks. You point to academics only but the stress on these kids is at an all time high and that is due to many reasons discussed ad nauseum on here. They need a break and can still have consistency w/o their a---es in a seat 5 days/week. College, grad school . . . they won't be in class 5 days/ week. By HS, they for sure do not need to be 5 days a week all day.

School (FCPS) is not stressful. If your kids are stressed, it's because of something else.

Your kid must go to Mount Vernon or something.

+1

Lazy! Go to bed earlier if you need more sleep.
+2. Varsity athlete, 2 Clubs, all honors, 1 AP (in lower grade HS). HW every night plus practice. Kid needs a break. I'm fine with some days off and a longer winter break. But would prefer no explicit recognition (days off) for religious holidays. Religion does not belong in public schools, Christian, Jewish, Muslim or anything else. Re: winter break and Christmas, you can dispense with that if you want, we won't be in school over the holidays and most people want. So your school days won't see much new material anyway. Have at it . . .

You’re contradicting yourself.

You’re holidays matter but other peoples holidays should not belong in public school? How about we move winter break to the end of the quarter? Would you still not show up to school for two weeks around Christmas?

Can you read? Christmas matters to me. I don't give a rat's behind if it is celebrated in school. How is that a contradiction?

We would not be in school for the week between Christmas and New Years, no. And a lot of other people wouldn't either, including teachers. THAT is why winter break is what it is (at some point it doesn't make sense to proceed b/c of lack of attendance). But, break changed, our plans wouldn't.

I think PP is objecting to a full two weeks off for Christmas. You not being there between Christmas and New Years makes sense. Needing the full week before Christmas as well is ridiculous, especially when complaining about one day off for other religious holidays. By the way, many Jews celebrate two days of Rosh Hashanah, so it's not even like they got their full holy day off. Diwali is five days, but they only got one day off to celebrate. Christmas, meanwhile, is one day, and we get a whole week for it. Not to say that Winter Break shouldn't be the full week between Christmas and New Year's, given that New Year's is so close to it, but just pointing out that it's hypocritical to complain about four single days off for other faiths.

It's not hypocritical. They can give NO religious days off if they choose and I'd be fine with it. I simply would not go on Christmas or the days around that as it is family time, we travel, etc. There should be no days off for any religion. And if they have given for some, they should for all and they have not done so.

I also think those of you making the comparison to Christmas are ridiculous. Christmas is not, and never will, be an open day for schools. Too many people celebrate it, secular and religious aspects in varying degrees. It's cultural as much as religious (and we do not celebrate the religious aspects in any way). School is closed because so many people will be out and traveling for those two weeks (esp in this area with lots of families having to travel back to home states and countries). It's logistics, not religion dictating the winter break. That will never change.

Christmas is not secular or cultural. The "as much as religious" is the problem. I'm not arguing to have school on Christmas, because (as you point out) it would be a logistical impossibility, and because I have no objection to Christians celebrating one of their holiest days as a day off from school regardless. Even Jewish Day Schools have Winter Break at the end of December in this country, because that's when our society takes a break. But it's hypocritical to say "I would just take Christmas off if it were a school day" because a. you know you won't actually ever have to do that, and b. Winter Break is structured around Christmas to give it as a day off, so religion is inherently in the school calendar and the only thing minority religions are asking is for a few additional days off of our own.
xoxo,
Jewish FCPS parent

Why? You want time off, take it. But why halt a huge school system for a day off? Can we agree the calendar as it has been this year doesn’t work!! It’s not doing justice to anyone-especially kids. There are too many days off!

There are EXACTLY the same number of days off as any other year. You don’t like how they are allocated. Deal with it.

DP. No one likes it except the teachers. But even some of them hate it too. It’s hard to find a rhythm when the scho year starts like this. Going into the holidays and things are a mess.

I know a lot of parents who like it. In fact, some of them commented in this thread.

Mhm. Probably parents who are teachers. Parents that have to actually work on Mondays, like normal people, are pissed. Have had to reschedule way too much this month to accommodate this and our kids think it’s just normal to be home from school an extra day every week at this point. And here comes the holiday season. Joy. Maybe they’ll get into a routine in the spring.

Not a parent who is a teacher. I'm grateful for these random days off, because it is saving both mine and DD's sanity. Wake up time of 5:30 AM is brutal. There is no getting around that. Doing it 4x a week instead of 5, makes a huge amount of difference to how well we both function.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only profession that takes long breaks is teaching

They deserve it

Doesn't everyone deserve it

[Anonymous]

This calendar is brutal on kids. I can hardly believe that next week will be even worse than this week. I am so fed up with this woke school board and their crappy calendar. They're scum. Has anyone counted how many days off the kids have had this Fall??????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This calendar is brutal on kids. I can hardly believe that next week will be even worse than this week. I am so fed up with this woke school board and their crappy calendar. They're scum. Has anyone counted how many days off the kids have had this Fall??????

Oh holy crap, next week why even bother. They should have just condensed all of the extra non-federal holidays and work days into one week.