Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should keep religious holidays. APS screwed up here by 1) allowing schools to plan end of year activities around a holiday that can move, and 2) NOT clearly commutation to parents that there could be a calendar change. The note from Duran on Wednesday didn’t even explain why the change was being proposed so late in the year.

Poor planning. Poor communicating.

I agree with your numbered points 1 and 2 completely. But I also think religious holidays (except the federal holiday of Christmas Day) need to go. The only way to respect everyone's religious traditions is to offer a certain number of excused absences. If they hold school on Christmas Eve (assuming that is even operationally possible), so be it, we can use an excused absence.

I think they should try this and see how many Muslims come to defend the rights of Christians to have their holiday off.

Why should they have to? When we have religious holidays for SOME people, yeah, of course others want to be included. I get that. But since we can't accomodate everyone and since some holidays can't be planned in advance, the religious holidays just need to go. Excused absences should be the accommodation for all.

I strongly disagree with the bolded. I think this is the kind of sentiment has been disproven again and again each time a hegemonic group learns they are better and stronger when they are inclusive. We just need to figure out how to make space for everyone. I'm not saying it will be easy every time, but I do think it is possible, and I think history supports this conclusion.

It IS inclusive to give excused absences. Why is a day off the only accommodation?

I was responding only to PP's assertion that "we can't accommodate everyone." I said nothing about days off.

The last sentence of the post you responded to said "Excused absences should be the accommodation for all."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is any other district considering this? Why is APS doing this?

*EquItY*

Even Fairfax isn’t doing it. Not sure who decided to die on this hill at APS.

Syphax did. They wanted another paid holiday. But they didn’t get it this time.

No I think this is more about proving how progressive we are, rebuking Trump, getting DEI street cred. Operational efficiency was not mentioned so it wasn’t staff requesting off. They did not expect a fight which is why it wasn’t going to go up for a vote initially

These folks are detached from reality not understanding this would be a big deal. Which is not great.

Agreed. They moved this last minute to a no–consent item? Initially Duran (?) was just going to have this quietly approved?

They really have no idea what happens in school buildings, do they? They really thought they could cancel school 2 weeks before the end of the year without cancelling a ton of events that are important to people.

Reminds me of when we had a snow storm on a Thursday so they went ahead and closed school buildings all weekend. Not a single person at Syphax considered that would mean cancelling sports, a school play, cultural school, etc.

This is exactly why we need someone who has been a school employee on the school board. Anyone from janitor to principal can tell you how packed the last few weeks of school are.

+1

Dems messed up again.

Fck off

I truly don’t understand this response. The Dems had a candidate who is not only extremely liberal, but is a parent, educator, and works extremely closely with teachers in the school board already. But they went with the person who was apparently “easier to work with“.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should keep religious holidays. APS screwed up here by 1) allowing schools to plan end of year activities around a holiday that can move, and 2) NOT clearly commutation to parents that there could be a calendar change. The note from Duran on Wednesday didn’t even explain why the change was being proposed so late in the year.

Poor planning. Poor communicating.

I agree with your numbered points 1 and 2 completely. But I also think religious holidays (except the federal holiday of Christmas Day) need to go. The only way to respect everyone's religious traditions is to offer a certain number of excused absences. If they hold school on Christmas Eve (assuming that is even operationally possible), so be it, we can use an excused absence.

I think they should try this and see how many Muslims come to defend the rights of Christians to have their holiday off.

Why should they have to? When we have religious holidays for SOME people, yeah, of course others want to be included. I get that. But since we can't accomodate everyone and since some holidays can't be planned in advance, the religious holidays just need to go. Excused absences should be the accommodation for all.

I strongly disagree with the bolded. I think this is the kind of sentiment has been disproven again and again each time a hegemonic group learns they are better and stronger when they are inclusive. We just need to figure out how to make space for everyone. I'm not saying it will be easy every time, but I do think it is possible, and I think history supports this conclusion.

It IS inclusive to give excused absences. Why is a day off the only accommodation?

I was responding only to PP's assertion that "we can't accommodate everyone." I said nothing about days off.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should keep religious holidays. APS screwed up here by 1) allowing schools to plan end of year activities around a holiday that can move, and 2) NOT clearly commutation to parents that there could be a calendar change. The note from Duran on Wednesday didn’t even explain why the change was being proposed so late in the year.

Poor planning. Poor communicating.

I agree with your numbered points 1 and 2 completely. But I also think religious holidays (except the federal holiday of Christmas Day) need to go. The only way to respect everyone's religious traditions is to offer a certain number of excused absences. If they hold school on Christmas Eve (assuming that is even operationally possible), so be it, we can use an excused absence.

I think they should try this and see how many Muslims come to defend the rights of Christians to have their holiday off.

Why should they have to? When we have religious holidays for SOME people, yeah, of course others want to be included. I get that. But since we can't accomodate everyone and since some holidays can't be planned in advance, the religious holidays just need to go. Excused absences should be the accommodation for all.

I strongly disagree with the bolded. I think this is the kind of sentiment has been disproven again and again each time a hegemonic group learns they are better and stronger when they are inclusive. We just need to figure out how to make space for everyone. I'm not saying it will be easy every time, but I do think it is possible, and I think history supports this conclusion.

It IS inclusive to give excused absences. Why is a day off the only accommodation?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should keep religious holidays. APS screwed up here by 1) allowing schools to plan end of year activities around a holiday that can move, and 2) NOT clearly commutation to parents that there could be a calendar change. The note from Duran on Wednesday didn’t even explain why the change was being proposed so late in the year.

Poor planning. Poor communicating.

I agree with your numbered points 1 and 2 completely. But I also think religious holidays (except the federal holiday of Christmas Day) need to go. The only way to respect everyone's religious traditions is to offer a certain number of excused absences. If they hold school on Christmas Eve (assuming that is even operationally possible), so be it, we can use an excused absence.

I think they should try this and see how many Muslims come to defend the rights of Christians to have their holiday off.

Why should they have to? When we have religious holidays for SOME people, yeah, of course others want to be included. I get that. But since we can't accomodate everyone and since some holidays can't be planned in advance, the religious holidays just need to go. Excused absences should be the accommodation for all.

I strongly disagree with the bolded. I think this is the kind of sentiment has been disproven again and again each time a hegemonic group learns they are better and stronger when they are inclusive. We just need to figure out how to make space for everyone. I'm not saying it will be easy every time, but I do think it is possible, and I think history supports this conclusion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should keep religious holidays. APS screwed up here by 1) allowing schools to plan end of year activities around a holiday that can move, and 2) NOT clearly commutation to parents that there could be a calendar change. The note from Duran on Wednesday didn’t even explain why the change was being proposed so late in the year.

Poor planning. Poor communicating.

I agree with your numbered points 1 and 2 completely. But I also think religious holidays (except the federal holiday of Christmas Day) need to go. The only way to respect everyone's religious traditions is to offer a certain number of excused absences. If they hold school on Christmas Eve (assuming that is even operationally possible), so be it, we can use an excused absence.

I think they should try this and see how many Muslims come to defend the rights of Christians to have their holiday off.

Why should they have to? When we have religious holidays for SOME people, yeah, of course others want to be included. I get that. But since we can't accomodate everyone and since some holidays can't be planned in advance, the religious holidays just need to go. Excused absences should be the accommodation for all.

I strongly disagree with the bolded. I think this is the kind of sentiment has been disproven again and again each time a hegemonic group learns they are better and stronger when they are inclusive. We just need to figure out how to make space for everyone. I'm not saying it will be easy every time, but I do think it is possible, and I think history supports this conclusion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should keep religious holidays. APS screwed up here by 1) allowing schools to plan end of year activities around a holiday that can move, and 2) NOT clearly commutation to parents that there could be a calendar change. The note from Duran on Wednesday didn’t even explain why the change was being proposed so late in the year.

Poor planning. Poor communicating.

I agree with your numbered points 1 and 2 completely. But I also think religious holidays (except the federal holiday of Christmas Day) need to go. The only way to respect everyone's religious traditions is to offer a certain number of excused absences. If they hold school on Christmas Eve (assuming that is even operationally possible), so be it, we can use an excused absence.

I think they should try this and see how many Muslims come to defend the rights of Christians to have their holiday off.

Why should they have to? When we have religious holidays for SOME people, yeah, of course others want to be included. I get that. But since we can't accomodate everyone and since some holidays can't be planned in advance, the religious holidays just need to go. Excused absences should be the accommodation for all.

I strongly disagree with the bolded. I think this is the kind of sentiment has been disproven again and again each time a hegemonic group learns they are better and stronger when they are inclusive. We just need to figure out how to make space for everyone. I'm not saying it will be easy every time, but I do think it is possible, and I think history supports this conclusion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should keep religious holidays. APS screwed up here by 1) allowing schools to plan end of year activities around a holiday that can move, and 2) NOT clearly commutation to parents that there could be a calendar change. The note from Duran on Wednesday didn’t even explain why the change was being proposed so late in the year.

Poor planning. Poor communicating.

I agree with your numbered points 1 and 2 completely. But I also think religious holidays (except the federal holiday of Christmas Day) need to go. The only way to respect everyone's religious traditions is to offer a certain number of excused absences. If they hold school on Christmas Eve (assuming that is even operationally possible), so be it, we can use an excused absence.

I think they should try this and see how many Muslims come to defend the rights of Christians to have their holiday off.

Why should they have to? When we have religious holidays for SOME people, yeah, of course others want to be included. I get that. But since we can't accomodate everyone and since some holidays can't be planned in advance, the religious holidays just need to go. Excused absences should be the accommodation for all.

I strongly disagree with the bolded. I think this is the kind of sentiment has been disproven again and again each time a hegemonic group learns they are better and stronger when they are inclusive. We just need to figure out how to make space for everyone. I'm not saying it will be easy every time, but I do think it is possible, and I think history supports this conclusion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should keep religious holidays. APS screwed up here by 1) allowing schools to plan end of year activities around a holiday that can move, and 2) NOT clearly commutation to parents that there could be a calendar change. The note from Duran on Wednesday didn’t even explain why the change was being proposed so late in the year.

Poor planning. Poor communicating.

I agree with your numbered points 1 and 2 completely. But I also think religious holidays (except the federal holiday of Christmas Day) need to go. The only way to respect everyone's religious traditions is to offer a certain number of excused absences. If they hold school on Christmas Eve (assuming that is even operationally possible), so be it, we can use an excused absence.

Isn't this how FCC does it? Let's do it.

I'm also totally in favor of a fixed spring break that falls between quarters and doesn't move every year. Pick a week and keep it there.

The problem with that is being out is synch with other districts in the area, where APS teachers live. Then the teachers have childcare issues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should keep religious holidays. APS screwed up here by 1) allowing schools to plan end of year activities around a holiday that can move, and 2) NOT clearly commutation to parents that there could be a calendar change. The note from Duran on Wednesday didn’t even explain why the change was being proposed so late in the year.

Poor planning. Poor communicating.

I agree with your numbered points 1 and 2 completely. But I also think religious holidays (except the federal holiday of Christmas Day) need to go. The only way to respect everyone's religious traditions is to offer a certain number of excused absences. If they hold school on Christmas Eve (assuming that is even operationally possible), so be it, we can use an excused absence.

I think they should try this and see how many Muslims come to defend the rights of Christians to have their holiday off.

Why should they have to? When we have religious holidays for SOME people, yeah, of course others want to be included. I get that. But since we can't accomodate everyone and since some holidays can't be planned in advance, the religious holidays just need to go. Excused absences should be the accommodation for all.

Anonymous wrote:FCPS uncoupled spring break from Easter couple years ago and was disaster. So many teachers with kids in other school districts so where childcare issues and teachers taking vacation to be with their kids who were off on break and not enough subs for the week FCPS had school where other districts didn’t…. Only way works is if all districts did together- state or at least NOVA wide.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is any other district considering this? Why is APS doing this?

*EquItY*

Even Fairfax isn’t doing it. Not sure who decided to die on this hill at APS.

Syphax did. They wanted another paid holiday. But they didn’t get it this time.

No I think this is more about proving how progressive we are, rebuking Trump, getting DEI street cred. Operational efficiency was not mentioned so it wasn’t staff requesting off. They did not expect a fight which is why it wasn’t going to go up for a vote initially

These folks are detached from reality not understanding this would be a big deal. Which is not great.

Agreed. They moved this last minute to a no–consent item? Initially Duran (?) was just going to have this quietly approved?

They really have no idea what happens in school buildings, do they? They really thought they could cancel school 2 weeks before the end of the year without cancelling a ton of events that are important to people.

Reminds me of when we had a snow storm on a Thursday so they went ahead and closed school buildings all weekend. Not a single person at Syphax considered that would mean cancelling sports, a school play, cultural school, etc.

This is exactly why we need someone who has been a school employee on the school board. Anyone from janitor to principal can tell you how packed the last few weeks of school are.

+1

Dems messed up again.

Fck off

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should keep religious holidays. APS screwed up here by 1) allowing schools to plan end of year activities around a holiday that can move, and 2) NOT clearly commutation to parents that there could be a calendar change. The note from Duran on Wednesday didn’t even explain why the change was being proposed so late in the year.

Poor planning. Poor communicating.

I agree with your numbered points 1 and 2 completely. But I also think religious holidays (except the federal holiday of Christmas Day) need to go. The only way to respect everyone's religious traditions is to offer a certain number of excused absences. If they hold school on Christmas Eve (assuming that is even operationally possible), so be it, we can use an excused absence.

Isn't this how FCC does it? Let's do it.

I'm also totally in favor of a fixed spring break that falls between quarters and doesn't move every year. Pick a week and keep it there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should keep religious holidays. APS screwed up here by 1) allowing schools to plan end of year activities around a holiday that can move, and 2) NOT clearly commutation to parents that there could be a calendar change. The note from Duran on Wednesday didn’t even explain why the change was being proposed so late in the year.

Poor planning. Poor communicating.

I agree with your numbered points 1 and 2 completely. But I also think religious holidays (except the federal holiday of Christmas Day) need to go. The only way to respect everyone's religious traditions is to offer a certain number of excused absences. If they hold school on Christmas Eve (assuming that is even operationally possible), so be it, we can use an excused absence.