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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

I don't think you know what hypocritical means, number 1.

Number two it absolutely does have secular and cultural aspects to it. You say you are a Jewish FCPS parent. I went to grad school in an area with a large Jewish population, some pretty conservative, and all partook in some aspects of Christmas. Same for our Muslim, Hindu, and atheist friends/family/classmates. So, while there may be some people who do not, you're not being honest with yourself and this board saying it's not secular for many people and cultural for even more.

Claiming it can be celebrated by anyone separate from its religious roots is disingenuous. Being secular/cultural "as much as" religious is the point I was arguing. It's still a religious holiday. Sure Jews do things on Christmas (eat Chinese food and see a movie, because those things are open and we have nothing else to do), but that's not to say we "celebrate" Christmas. It's still not our holiday.

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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

I don't think you know what hypocritical means, number 1.

Number two it absolutely does have secular and cultural aspects to it. You say you are a Jewish FCPS parent. I went to grad school in an area with a large Jewish population, some pretty conservative, and all partook in some aspects of Christmas. Same for our Muslim, Hindu, and atheist friends/family/classmates. So, while there may be some people who do not, you're not being honest with yourself and this board saying it's not secular for many people and cultural for even more.

No one complains about multiple days off for Thanksgiving.

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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

if your goal is to have your religious days off, why don't you go to a religious school? I have Catholic friends who are adamant about the religious instruction and calendar tied to school so they purposefully pay to have their religion incorporated into their kids' school lives. I also work with Muslim colleagues who send their kids to private, religious schools. I totally understand that. But why do we want FCPS to incorporate religious holidays into our kids' school lives? I don't understand that. As OP said, liberals are so adamant about pushing secularism in the public sphere until it comes to minority religions. Why can't we just have fed days off? I'm sorry but if you want off for YK, RH, Sukkot, Eid, Diwali, etc., those days should be taken separately by those families. Likewise, if Catholics want to pull kids to go to mass on Ash Wed, or Orthodox for Easter/Xmas the same would apply.

If you require specific religious observances, that should be done privately. You should not be imposing them on the entire county. The hypocrisy is just too much.

And sorry, Xmas break is engrained in our western calendar. I don't understand how or why people moving here without understanding that. I lived abroad in a non-western country and did not demand Thanksgiving off at my work. Crazy,

if your goal is to have your religious days off, why don't you go to a religious school?

I don't want a religious education. I want my holiest day of the year off, so that my kid will stop missing work that teachers weren't supposed to be assigning on that day in the first place (even before the O day nonsense last year). I'm not asking for a calendar that reflects all of my religious holidays (Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Passover, Shavuot), and if that was important to me, then, yes that's what Jewish Day School is for. We live in one of the best public school systems in the world, which I support with my taxes and should be able to take full advantage of.

But why do we want FCPS to incorporate religious holidays into our kids' school lives?

Again, religion is inherent in the calendar already because our society is built around Christianity. Also again, no one is asking for all of their holidays off. But if we're going to build the entire calendar around 1-2 weeks off in December for Christmas and Spring Break tied to Easter, an extra few days for other religions seems reasonable.

Obviously. This country is 85% Christian, or at least 85+ who celebrate Xmas. Of course it is going to be centered around those holidays. The Jewish population is 2%. It is really just math. The majority dictating the calendar is nothing new in any country. Check out the calendars in W Europe and Latin America - same system. KSA and/or Gulf - all Muslim holidays. Israel - only Jewish holidays built into fed calendar despite having 20% Arab population (both Muslim and Christian).

So an extra few days for religious/cultural observance may seem small to you but when you add them all up, it is incredibly burdensome to the school system (and parents). How many of the multitude of potential days off do you want to incorporate? All 30? Should we just never go to school?

Jewish - YK, RH, Passover, Sukkot, etc.;
Hindu - Diwali, Holi, Ganesh C, Navarati, etc.;
Islam - Ashura, Ramadan, Eid al Fitr, Eid al Adha, the entire month of Ramadan, etc.;
Korean - Lunar New Year, Buddha's birth day, Chuseok,
Christian holidays - Easter, Xmas, Good Friday
Fed - Labor, Columbus/Indig, Veterans, Thanksgiving, Xmas, NY, MLK, Pres, Memorial, 6/19
Not to mention - Election Day, Nowruz, Kwanza, etc.

This is why we should limit it to Fed. We cannot possibly incorporate all of the above. And I am not going to the trouble to think of every possible holiday and/or minority group.

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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!

DP here who is a teacher. I am all for these new holidays off but there were ways to balance it out that the district failed on. Columbus/Indigenous Day and Veteran’s Day should have been school days and TWD should have been by Election Day. That would gave added two full weeks of school this fall.

Yes, Columbus Day should definitely be a school day.

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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!

DP here who is a teacher. I am all for these new holidays off but there were ways to balance it out that the district failed on. Columbus/Indigenous Day and Veteran’s Day should have been school days and TWD should have been by Election Day. That would gave added two full weeks of school this fall.

This sounds so reasonable!

Anonymous wrote:

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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

if your goal is to have your religious days off, why don't you go to a religious school? I have Catholic friends who are adamant about the religious instruction and calendar tied to school so they purposefully pay to have their religion incorporated into their kids' school lives. I also work with Muslim colleagues who send their kids to private, religious schools. I totally understand that. But why do we want FCPS to incorporate religious holidays into our kids' school lives? I don't understand that. As OP said, liberals are so adamant about pushing secularism in the public sphere until it comes to minority religions. Why can't we just have fed days off? I'm sorry but if you want off for YK, RH, Sukkot, Eid, Diwali, etc., those days should be taken separately by those families. Likewise, if Catholics want to pull kids to go to mass on Ash Wed, or Orthodox for Easter/Xmas the same would apply.

If you require specific religious observances, that should be done privately. You should not be imposing them on the entire county. The hypocrisy is just too much.

And sorry, Xmas break is engrained in our western calendar. I don't understand how or why people moving here without understanding that. I lived abroad in a non-western country and did not demand Thanksgiving off at my work. Crazy,

if your goal is to have your religious days off, why don't you go to a religious school?

I don't want a religious education. I want my holiest day of the year off, so that my kid will stop missing work that teachers weren't supposed to be assigning on that day in the first place (even before the O day nonsense last year). I'm not asking for a calendar that reflects all of my religious holidays (Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Passover, Shavuot), and if that was important to me, then, yes that's what Jewish Day School is for. We live in one of the best public school systems in the world, which I support with my taxes and should be able to take full advantage of.

But why do we want FCPS to incorporate religious holidays into our kids' school lives?

Again, religion is inherent in the calendar already because our society is built around Christianity. Also again, no one is asking for all of their holidays off. But if we're going to build the entire calendar around 1-2 weeks off in December for Christmas and Spring Break tied to Easter, an extra few days for other religions seems reasonable.

If you require specific religious observances, that should be done privately. You should not be imposing them on the entire county. The hypocrisy is just too much

*crying/laughing*

And sorry, Xmas break is engrained in our western calendar. I don't understand how or why people moving here without understanding that.

Why do you assume that minority religions are new to the US? My family has been here for generations. Implying that Jews and other religious minorities aren't part of "our western calendar" is problematic and you may want to take some time to learn about the long-standing multicultural history of our country.

^requiring conferences

I don’t have time to read the whole thread but many teachers are also parents and spouses. Especially in our area. I think teachers should be off for federal holidays. I’m also in favor of honoring major religious holidays. There has to be some balance. Teacher workdays near the end of the quarter are necessary, especially with elementary schools requiring condensation. Some of the other professional development days are a complete waste of our time. I would take those away!

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!

DP here who is a teacher. I am all for these new holidays off but there were ways to balance it out that the district failed on. Columbus/Indigenous Day and Veteran’s Day should have been school days and TWD should have been by Election Day. That would gave added two full weeks of school this fall.

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!

“And sorry, Xmas break is engrained in our western calendar. I don't understand how or why people moving here without understanding that. I lived abroad in a non-western country and did not demand Thanksgiving off at my work. ”

+1
The full week before Xmas off is debatable though. I keep voting against that but the families with $$$ to travel keep insisting on two weeks to do that.

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

if your goal is to have your religious days off, why don't you go to a religious school? I have Catholic friends who are adamant about the religious instruction and calendar tied to school so they purposefully pay to have their religion incorporated into their kids' school lives. I also work with Muslim colleagues who send their kids to private, religious schools. I totally understand that. But why do we want FCPS to incorporate religious holidays into our kids' school lives? I don't understand that. As OP said, liberals are so adamant about pushing secularism in the public sphere until it comes to minority religions. Why can't we just have fed days off? I'm sorry but if you want off for YK, RH, Sukkot, Eid, Diwali, etc., those days should be taken separately by those families. Likewise, if Catholics want to pull kids to go to mass on Ash Wed, or Orthodox for Easter/Xmas the same would apply.

If you require specific religious observances, that should be done privately. You should not be imposing them on the entire county. The hypocrisy is just too much.

And sorry, Xmas break is engrained in our western calendar. I don't understand how or why people moving here without understanding that. I lived abroad in a non-western country and did not demand Thanksgiving off at my work. Crazy,

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

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.