Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think probably the stupidest thing in the world is closing but not saying the real reason you are closing.

The real reason MCPS is closing is because there would be a lot of absences on that day if they didn't. Or do you think that MCPS celebrates Christmas?

You know what a pretext is right? That is a pretext. They have probably never been open on Christmas so how on earth would they have data for that. Yom Kippur yes, Christmas no chance.

I am not going to get all up in arms about this. I would not have a problem if they added a holiday and just eliminated the absenteeism pretext. Take one less professional development day or take one day away from "Winter" break. What I don't like is that the debate has devolved into we can't celebrate your religion if you don't celebrate mine so nobody celebrates anything. I think we can and should celebrate and acknowledge the major religions in this country at a minimum for what they are, an important part of our cultural heritage in this country. The attitude that my display of religion offends you is what bothers me. I think at a basic level that is pretty disrespectful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think probably the stupidest thing in the world is closing but not saying the real reason you are closing.

The real reason MCPS is closing is because there would be a lot of absences on that day if they didn't. Or do you think that MCPS celebrates Christmas?

So what-- are they going to call it "high expected absence day" on the calendar?

Winter Break and Spring Break.

That is the perfect solution. Good for them!

Anonymous wrote:They can always go back to the middle east if they want their holiday-they need to learn "when in Rome.....".

You are really ignorant if you don't know that our country was founded on freedom of religion. IGNORANT!

Anonymous wrote:In this MCPS. Yes, the school will still be closed. But talk about bullying! Just wow.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/11/montgomery-county-school-board-strips-calendar-chr/

This Washington Times link is horrible! Pop ups galore and a video started playing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think probably the stupidest thing in the world is closing but not saying the real reason you are closing.

The real reason MCPS is closing is because there would be a lot of absences on that day if they didn't. Or do you think that MCPS celebrates Christmas?

So what-- are they going to call it "high expected absence day" on the calendar?

Winter Break and Spring Break.

Christmas and Easter were both noted seperately from the vacations that surrounded them. I think this decision is fine. I only look to the MCPS calendar to know when to send my children to school not to notify me of holidays.

Anonymous wrote:What Christian holiday was on the calendar before? Christmas is in the middle of the winter break. There aren't any other Christian national holidays

It listed days off for Easter and said Holidays and other days off for Spring Break. Also, for Christmas it had certain days as Christmas/Holidays and other days off as Winter break.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think probably the stupidest thing in the world is closing but not saying the real reason you are closing.

The real reason MCPS is closing is because there would be a lot of absences on that day if they didn't. Or do you think that MCPS celebrates Christmas?

So what-- are they going to call it "high expected absence day" on the calendar?

Anonymous wrote:To be fair, the Muslims requested Eid be included. The solution was to remove everything. It's stupid and will now direct more hatred toward a Muslim population that never made such a request.

Yup, and the Washington Times' semi-literate readers, like OP, now believe that that's what happened.

What Christian holiday was on the calendar before? Christmas is in the middle of the winter break. There aren't any other Christian national holidays

They can always go back to the middle east if they want their holiday-they need to learn "when in Rome.....".

I am very pleased with this decision and I think the boards decision was much better than what Dr Starr proposed.

Anonymous wrote:I think probably the stupidest thing in the world is closing but not saying the real reason you are closing.

The real reason MCPS is closing is because there would be a lot of absences on that day if they didn't. Or do you think that MCPS celebrates Christmas?

To be fair, the Muslims requested Eid be included. The solution was to remove everything. It's stupid and will now direct more hatred toward a Muslim population that never made such a request.