Anonymous wrote:I thought schools were supposed to be separate from religion.

Ooh edgy. *massive eye roll* if you used your brain, you’d realize it’s because there be a staffing issue and many student absences as well, making it a pointless instructional day. Try and do better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s about staffing. There are too many Jewish staff members for the system to be able to function.

That's not the case in LCPS, FCPS, APS where they are also off.

It’s absolutely a staffing issue in FCPS as well.

Anonymous wrote:With respect and appreciation for all families observing Yom Kippur, what would be the practical impact of granting all observing students and employees excused absences and PTO? Would the school system be too understaffed to function?

1. If no instruction is happening, they might as well close

2. Yes, they would be too understaffed to function. They are borderline too understaffed on a regular day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought schools were supposed to be separate from religion.

Well given they give off for Christmas & Easter where is exactly is that line?

You can not be this dumb?

Easter is on a Sunday.

Anonymous wrote:It’s about staffing. There are too many Jewish staff members for the system to be able to function.

That's not the case in LCPS, FCPS, APS where they are also off.

Anonymous wrote:I thought schools were supposed to be separate from religion.

Well given they give off for Christmas & Easter where is exactly is that line?

You can not be this dumb?

Why do we have this conversation every single time there’s a day off? There are 180 days in the school year. The district chooses days within that time frame that students won’t have school. God forbid they choose a religious holiday instead of a random Tuesday in January that holds no meaning for anyone. Get over it.

Anonymous wrote:It's about inclusivity. We recognize Christmas and Easter as major holidays in the US, while jewish people sit around bored waiting for them to be over. You can allow us these two days.

This. I am Christian and find it extremely important that schools are closed for other major religions most special days.

Anonymous wrote:It’s about staffing. There are too many Jewish staff members for the system to be able to function.

+1 I live in Howard County, where, like Montgomery County, there is a movement to be more inclusive in recognizing holidays from different religions and cultures. However, the days off for the fall Jewish holidays have been around for a long time and were originally adopted due to staffing issues.

I thought schools were supposed to be separate from religion.

It’s about staffing. There are too many Jewish staff members for the system to be able to function.

Anonymous wrote:With respect and appreciation for all families observing Yom Kippur, what would be the practical impact of granting all observing students and employees excused absences and PTO? Would the school system be too understaffed to function?

How old are your children? You must be an elementary parent.

It's about inclusivity. We recognize Christmas and Easter as major holidays in the US, while jewish people sit around bored waiting for them to be over. You can allow us these two days.

How would you feel if they did this for December 24-26? Would you be OK with just holding your kid out while instruction kept happening? Having them catch up a little in-between opening their presents and having a slice of Yule log?

With respect and appreciation for all families observing Yom Kippur, what would be the practical impact of granting all observing students and employees excused absences and PTO? Would the school system be too understaffed to function?