Anonymous wrote:Yes - thanks to the OP!
I would not have known about this if I didn't see this post (and I follow them on twitter!). I was able to get my comments in under the wire last night with an acknowledgment this morning that they were received and shared.
It's ridiculous that they thought this can be passed through without any public input. It seems like a case of accommodating those that scream the loudest as opposed to having some thoughtful discussions with everyone that would be impacted by this decision. There are several much better alternatives that can be put in place until a formal decision is made and I suggested they make a decision, with input, and implement with the 2017 school year. It makes me lose what little faith I already had with the BOE decision making process.
I am so freaking mad at Barclay. (I said this around page 6 or 7.) HE put us in this position without offering any suggestion of a solution. Why couldn't his motion for the holiday/workday have been effective for the 2017-2018 calendar?
And calling it a day of PD is not fair to our Muslim teachers. So if they are going to observe the holiday, they lose out on a needed workday? Way to go, MCPS!
The men who spoke today in support of Diwali... I wasn't sure to laugh or cry. But the precedent has been set by the Eid decision. I think they suggested using a teacher workday, as well!