Anonymous
Post 11/30/2023 09:27     Subject: APS proposed school year calendar up

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.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2023 22:08     Subject: APS proposed school year calendar up

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.”
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2023 18:30     Subject: APS proposed school year calendar up

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.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2023 18:27     Subject: APS proposed school year calendar up

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.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 14:01     Subject: APS proposed school year calendar up

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.


Also, Easter Monday IS a thing; but not something that is actually "practiced" or really observed here.

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 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.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:59     Subject: Re:APS proposed school year calendar up

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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.

But now you have to pay for more random days off throughout the year.

I wish they'd add to the calendar rules that there cannot not be two non-consecutive days off/early releases in a single week.

In 2024 they have an early release on Wednesday (10/30), then a full day on Thursday (10/31), and no school on Friday (11/1, Diwali). It basically kills the whole end of the week. Move the early release to 10/31 and have a full day on 10/30. Don't have non-consecutive closures.


Great - We'll go on vacation starting that Wednesday. And they wonder why absences are so much higher. Add in a bunch of days off and people will turn it into a long weekend away.
My kids don't want to be away and miss Halloween. APS needs to move the early release to 10/31.


All early releases should be on Fridays (or a day immediately before a holiday, such as the 10/31 example).


So Halloween is now a holiday with no school? Seriously, what's wrong with the ER being on Halloween and only having a day and a half off instead of two and a half?

I think you're confused. No one has said that Halloween should be a holiday. We've just said that the current plan of Early Release (Weds)-Halloween (Thurs)-No school (Friday) is stupid. Move the half day to Halloween. Don't make the week so choppy.

Elementary students are distracted on Halloween anyways so it would be a good day for a half day, rather than shortening a day when students are more focused. I'd be fine if APS just cut the half day, but they say they need it for professional learning. If they are going to keep it, they should at least choose a less stupid date.


Why is Halloween a day off next year? The "holiday" is apparently 11/1; so why do they have 10/31 off?


Sorry....misunderstood the comment above. Thought it was saying 10/31 was a day off.
I agree the half day should be moved to Thur 10/31; but APS has this belief that Wednesdays are the preferred early release days, therefore they will not make the exception and move it to Halloween.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:57     Subject: APS proposed school year calendar up

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 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.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:55     Subject: Re:APS proposed school year calendar up

Anonymous wrote:I would like APS to tally how many students observe which holidays. We are required to update the Parent VUE each fall, that would be an easy way to put a checkmark on your family's observed holidays, ensuring that they will receive a response from every family.


That's a good idea.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:49     Subject: Re:APS proposed school year calendar up

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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.

But now you have to pay for more random days off throughout the year.

I wish they'd add to the calendar rules that there cannot not be two non-consecutive days off/early releases in a single week.

In 2024 they have an early release on Wednesday (10/30), then a full day on Thursday (10/31), and no school on Friday (11/1, Diwali). It basically kills the whole end of the week. Move the early release to 10/31 and have a full day on 10/30. Don't have non-consecutive closures.


Great - We'll go on vacation starting that Wednesday. And they wonder why absences are so much higher. Add in a bunch of days off and people will turn it into a long weekend away.
My kids don't want to be away and miss Halloween. APS needs to move the early release to 10/31.


All early releases should be on Fridays (or a day immediately before a holiday, such as the 10/31 example).


So Halloween is now a holiday with no school? Seriously, what's wrong with the ER being on Halloween and only having a day and a half off instead of two and a half?

I think you're confused. No one has said that Halloween should be a holiday. We've just said that the current plan of Early Release (Weds)-Halloween (Thurs)-No school (Friday) is stupid. Move the half day to Halloween. Don't make the week so choppy.

Elementary students are distracted on Halloween anyways so it would be a good day for a half day, rather than shortening a day when students are more focused. I'd be fine if APS just cut the half day, but they say they need it for professional learning. If they are going to keep it, they should at least choose a less stupid date.


Why is Halloween a day off next year? The "holiday" is apparently 11/1; so why do they have 10/31 off?
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:48     Subject: APS proposed school year calendar up

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:20:37??? The rising seniors are in the programs in the summer. The graduating students are impacted by having a shorter break before they go to college.


Therefore, "experiences" aren't an issue for their applications, is my point.
I don't see the big deal in having a shorter break before starting college.

Adding, especially since they'll likely have longer breaks after starting college, with the typical college schedule ending in May. So what that they "lose" a week or two before they start?
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:47     Subject: APS proposed school year calendar up

Anonymous wrote:20:37??? The rising seniors are in the programs in the summer. The graduating students are impacted by having a shorter break before they go to college.


Therefore, "experiences" aren't an issue for their applications, is my point.
I don't see the big deal in having a shorter break before starting college.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:15     Subject: APS proposed school year calendar up

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.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:13     Subject: APS proposed school year calendar up

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.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:05     Subject: APS proposed school year calendar up

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/
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:03     Subject: APS proposed school year calendar up

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.