APS no school tomorrow (Wed Apr 10)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's always fun seeing the bigots come out of the woodwork in posts like these.

Why is Christmas a federal holiday though, if we have separation of church and state? Maybe we should remove the fed holiday status then

Many of ya'll are really ignorant when it comes to the demographics of school's staff, which include a lot of Muslims. Maybe not as classroom teachers, but in SPED, assistants, cafeteria staff, bus drivers, janitorial staff, etc.

Function would be massively challenged if Eid were a regular school day. It's not just about the students and having an excused absence - it's about day to day school operations being able to function with so many staff being forced to take leave for a major holiday that, for some biased reason, was not declared a federal holiday.

This bs is why I’m voting for Trump

You’re a fcking ahole is why you are voting for T.

[Anonymous]

There are two reasons a public school system should close for a religious holiday:
1. That holiday is a federal holiday, and/or
2. A large enough number of students/employees celebrate the holiday & would be absent that it would be disruptive. This needs to be a predetermined threshold (eg, 20%?) that is consistently applied. This would be a fair & objective way to determine days off.

Separately, APS needs to get better at putting things like teacher work days adjacent to holidays off so things aren’t so choppy.

[Anonymous]

At my ES I would say that a LOT of the assistant/supportive staff are muslim. So this includes classroom assistants, extended day staff, bus drivers, lunch staff, recess monitors etc.

I think people just think of teachers and students but there are other employees that would call out that would impact school operations. My kids' MS barely has enough bus drivers as it is.

[Anonymous]

Things are going so well, I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't vote for four more years of Brandon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Things are going so well, I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't vote for four more years of Brandon.

Things are going well for those of us who live in reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things are going so well, I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't vote for four more years of Brandon.

Things are going well for those of us who live in reality.

You bet!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spring break shouldn’t be connected to Easter.

And we shouldn’t have off for all of these various religious holidays. It’s all or none and I vote none.

Have flexibility around assignments/testing on those days, if absolutely necessary.

+1

Just because a bunch of humans thousands of years ago made up some stories about God and now people still identify with this based on where their ancestors are from (even though we all know deep down that even if there is a God, religion I just a bunch of made up malarkey) doesn’t mean my kids shouldn’t go to school today. A Wednesday off is so disruptive to the school week and can’t be made into a long weekend. My SN kid was really out of sorts this morning from the change in schedule and I had to pay nearly $500 out of pocket on camps in order to work because a holiday I don’t even celebrate.

I think I could stomach it better if it were cited as a staffing issue (for instance I know there have been bus driver shortages during orthodox Easter). Because then I’m being inconvenienced for a rational, statistical decision regarding school operations.

But being out a bunch of money and dealing with a morning kid meltdown so someone else can practice their religion (I am not religious so I do not seek any sort of inconvenience from others for this purpose) just grates.

And totally agree about separating SB and Easter. I also don’t want to pay higher airfare just so people can travel to take their family photos and post “He Is Risen” all over their FB feeds.

If people want a school year that acknowledges their religion then choose a religious based school. The end.

You're fine with accommodations due to staffing issues because of people observing their religious holidays, but not closing school for religious holidays because of staffing issues from people observing their religious holidays. Got it.

No, I’m okay with accommodations due to staffing issues (which could be related to religious leave).

I’m not okay with days off to recognize religious holidays in some misguided attempt for APS to legitimize religious beliefs. And I think most people agree with this even if they won’t admit because there are a total of 10k+ religions in the world and we are not closing down schools for all of these. Clearly there is an unstated threshold for recognizing a holiday. I would like APS to actually bother having a policy regarding this rather than just pick and choose religious holidays based on some nebulous decision about which holidays matter. It’s not the school’s place to decide this and it opens the door to other groups claiming they are being marginalized.

Bottom line, schools should look at operational metrics, not the merits of religious holidays, and try to consolidate days off to minimize disruption to families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spring break shouldn’t be connected to Easter.

And we shouldn’t have off for all of these various religious holidays. It’s all or none and I vote none.

Have flexibility around assignments/testing on those days, if absolutely necessary.

+1

Just because a bunch of humans thousands of years ago made up some stories about God and now people still identify with this based on where their ancestors are from (even though we all know deep down that even if there is a God, religion I just a bunch of made up malarkey) doesn’t mean my kids shouldn’t go to school today. A Wednesday off is so disruptive to the school week and can’t be made into a long weekend. My SN kid was really out of sorts this morning from the change in schedule and I had to pay nearly $500 out of pocket on camps in order to work because a holiday I don’t even celebrate.

I think I could stomach it better if it were cited as a staffing issue (for instance I know there have been bus driver shortages during orthodox Easter). Because then I’m being inconvenienced for a rational, statistical decision regarding school operations.

But being out a bunch of money and dealing with a morning kid meltdown so someone else can practice their religion (I am not religious so I do not seek any sort of inconvenience from others for this purpose) just grates.

And totally agree about separating SB and Easter. I also don’t want to pay higher airfare just so people can travel to take their family photos and post “He Is Risen” all over their FB feeds.

If people want a school year that acknowledges their religion then choose a religious based school. The end.

You're fine with accommodations due to staffing issues because of people observing their religious holidays, but not closing school for religious holidays because of staffing issues from people observing their religious holidays. Got it.

No, I’m okay with accommodations due to staffing issues (which could be related to religious leave).

I’m not okay with days off to recognize religious holidays in some misguided attempt for APS to legitimize religious beliefs. And I think most people agree with this even if they won’t admit because there are a total of 10k+ religions in the world and we are not closing down schools for all of these. Clearly there is an unstated threshold for recognizing a holiday. I would like APS to actually bother having a policy regarding this rather than just pick and choose religious holidays based on some nebulous decision about which holidays matter. It’s not the school’s place to decide this and it opens the door to other groups claiming they are being marginalized.

Bottom line, schools should look at operational metrics, not the merits of religious holidays, and try to consolidate days off to minimize disruption to families.

This. +1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are two reasons a public school system should close for a religious holiday:
1. That holiday is a federal holiday, and/or
2. A large enough number of students/employees celebrate the holiday & would be absent that it would be disruptive. This needs to be a predetermined threshold (eg, 20%?) that is consistently applied. This would be a fair & objective way to determine days off.

Separately, APS needs to get better at putting things like teacher work days adjacent to holidays off so things aren’t so choppy.

Agree, but probably more than 20 percent since that many are apparently absent every day in many of our schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Bottom line, schools should look at operational metrics, not the merits of religious holidays, and try to consolidate days off to minimize disruption to families.

Well said!

[Anonymous]

They could also get rid of the half days for training and combine those with religious holidays. Make a recording and provide copies of materials available to those who miss the session.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spring break shouldn’t be connected to Easter.

And we shouldn’t have off for all of these various religious holidays. It’s all or none and I vote none.

Have flexibility around assignments/testing on those days, if absolutely necessary.

+1

Just because a bunch of humans thousands of years ago made up some stories about God and now people still identify with this based on where their ancestors are from (even though we all know deep down that even if there is a God, religion I just a bunch of made up malarkey) doesn’t mean my kids shouldn’t go to school today. A Wednesday off is so disruptive to the school week and can’t be made into a long weekend. My SN kid was really out of sorts this morning from the change in schedule and I had to pay nearly $500 out of pocket on camps in order to work because a holiday I don’t even celebrate.

I think I could stomach it better if it were cited as a staffing issue (for instance I know there have been bus driver shortages during orthodox Easter). Because then I’m being inconvenienced for a rational, statistical decision regarding school operations.

But being out a bunch of money and dealing with a morning kid meltdown so someone else can practice their religion (I am not religious so I do not seek any sort of inconvenience from others for this purpose) just grates.

And totally agree about separating SB and Easter. I also don’t want to pay higher airfare just so people can travel to take their family photos and post “He Is Risen” all over their FB feeds.

If people want a school year that acknowledges their religion then choose a religious based school. The end.

You're fine with accommodations due to staffing issues because of people observing their religious holidays, but not closing school for religious holidays because of staffing issues from people observing their religious holidays. Got it.

No, I’m okay with accommodations due to staffing issues (which could be related to religious leave).

I’m not okay with days off to recognize religious holidays in some misguided attempt for APS to legitimize religious beliefs. And I think most people agree with this even if they won’t admit because there are a total of 10k+ religions in the world and we are not closing down schools for all of these. Clearly there is an unstated threshold for recognizing a holiday. I would like APS to actually bother having a policy regarding this rather than just pick and choose religious holidays based on some nebulous decision about which holidays matter. It’s not the school’s place to decide this and it opens the door to other groups claiming they are being marginalized.

Bottom line, schools should look at operational metrics, not the merits of religious holidays, and try to consolidate days off to minimize disruption to families.

APE has entered the room. lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They could also get rid of the half days for training and combine those with religious holidays. Make a recording and provide copies of materials available to those who miss the session.

They’re increasing the number of half days next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spring break shouldn’t be connected to Easter.

And we shouldn’t have off for all of these various religious holidays. It’s all or none and I vote none.

Have flexibility around assignments/testing on those days, if absolutely necessary.

+1

Just because a bunch of humans thousands of years ago made up some stories about God and now people still identify with this based on where their ancestors are from (even though we all know deep down that even if there is a God, religion I just a bunch of made up malarkey) doesn’t mean my kids shouldn’t go to school today. A Wednesday off is so disruptive to the school week and can’t be made into a long weekend. My SN kid was really out of sorts this morning from the change in schedule and I had to pay nearly $500 out of pocket on camps in order to work because a holiday I don’t even celebrate.

I think I could stomach it better if it were cited as a staffing issue (for instance I know there have been bus driver shortages during orthodox Easter). Because then I’m being inconvenienced for a rational, statistical decision regarding school operations.

But being out a bunch of money and dealing with a morning kid meltdown so someone else can practice their religion (I am not religious so I do not seek any sort of inconvenience from others for this purpose) just grates.

And totally agree about separating SB and Easter. I also don’t want to pay higher airfare just so people can travel to take their family photos and post “He Is Risen” all over their FB feeds.

If people want a school year that acknowledges their religion then choose a religious based school. The end.

You're fine with accommodations due to staffing issues because of people observing their religious holidays, but not closing school for religious holidays because of staffing issues from people observing their religious holidays. Got it.

No, I’m okay with accommodations due to staffing issues (which could be related to religious leave).

I’m not okay with days off to recognize religious holidays in some misguided attempt for APS to legitimize religious beliefs. And I think most people agree with this even if they won’t admit because there are a total of 10k+ religions in the world and we are not closing down schools for all of these. Clearly there is an unstated threshold for recognizing a holiday. I would like APS to actually bother having a policy regarding this rather than just pick and choose religious holidays based on some nebulous decision about which holidays matter. It’s not the school’s place to decide this and it opens the door to other groups claiming they are being marginalized.

Bottom line, schools should look at operational metrics, not the merits of religious holidays, and try to consolidate days off to minimize disruption to families.

APE has entered the room. lol

God forbid someone wants the school system to cover its rear end and not leave the taxpayers exposed to a First Amendment lawsuit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spring break shouldn’t be connected to Easter.

And we shouldn’t have off for all of these various religious holidays. It’s all or none and I vote none.

Have flexibility around assignments/testing on those days, if absolutely necessary.

+1

Just because a bunch of humans thousands of years ago made up some stories about God and now people still identify with this based on where their ancestors are from (even though we all know deep down that even if there is a God, religion I just a bunch of made up malarkey) doesn’t mean my kids shouldn’t go to school today. A Wednesday off is so disruptive to the school week and can’t be made into a long weekend. My SN kid was really out of sorts this morning from the change in schedule and I had to pay nearly $500 out of pocket on camps in order to work because a holiday I don’t even celebrate.

I think I could stomach it better if it were cited as a staffing issue (for instance I know there have been bus driver shortages during orthodox Easter). Because then I’m being inconvenienced for a rational, statistical decision regarding school operations.

But being out a bunch of money and dealing with a morning kid meltdown so someone else can practice their religion (I am not religious so I do not seek any sort of inconvenience from others for this purpose) just grates.

And totally agree about separating SB and Easter. I also don’t want to pay higher airfare just so people can travel to take their family photos and post “He Is Risen” all over their FB feeds.

If people want a school year that acknowledges their religion then choose a religious based school. The end.

You're fine with accommodations due to staffing issues because of people observing their religious holidays, but not closing school for religious holidays because of staffing issues from people observing their religious holidays. Got it.

No, I’m okay with accommodations due to staffing issues (which could be related to religious leave).

I’m not okay with days off to recognize religious holidays in some misguided attempt for APS to legitimize religious beliefs. And I think most people agree with this even if they won’t admit because there are a total of 10k+ religions in the world and we are not closing down schools for all of these. Clearly there is an unstated threshold for recognizing a holiday. I would like APS to actually bother having a policy regarding this rather than just pick and choose religious holidays based on some nebulous decision about which holidays matter. It’s not the school’s place to decide this and it opens the door to other groups claiming they are being marginalized.

Bottom line, schools should look at operational metrics, not the merits of religious holidays, and try to consolidate days off to minimize disruption to families.

APE has entered the room. lol

This attitude, right here, is why APS is so messed up. Someone says decisions should be made on operational grounds, with clear policies guiding those decision, and your response is "lol Trumper MAGAT". APS can do no wrong, and anyone who thinks it can do better is somehow a bigot. Deep down, you think that APS belongs to you, and because you think yourself a good person, anyone who disagrees with you must be not just a bad person, but the worst sort of person you can imagine.

It's pretty obvious what the outcome is going to be. Things are going to continue to get crummier until it's too obvious to deny anymore and enough people will come around to actually start fixing things rather than forming a circle and singing "Kum-bah-yah" in the face of any failures. And once it does happen people are going to pretend that they agreed with the critics all along. You won't be able to find a single person willing to admit they were wrong.

But that process will take years, and have real impacts on students' lives and learning. It would be nice if we could skip the years-long decline in school system performance and talk about those issues now rather than have to wait until APS' partisan defenders are too embarrassed to keep defending it.