Assistant Superintendent Jeff Labroad has commented multiple times on how Hopkinton cannot use the federal holiday calendar because we are not “Judeo-Christian-based” in Hopkinton.
However, he does not clarify the educational purposes behind adding new holidays beyond those listed on the federal calendar. Is our school system prioritizing religion over education when it comes to the calendar, because it seems like the nice thing to do?
How much absenteeism has Hopkinton experienced on these days? What is the school district’s plan to address the impact of heat on children and teachers during a prolonged school year? Will high school students be taking finals during a heat wave? Is this the best educational environment for students and teachers?
The starting point for deciding if and when public schools should close on a religious holiday is the First Amendment. Under the Establishment Clause, schools may not close for religious reasons or to accommodate the spiritual requirements of any faith. Public schools may only add a religious holiday as a “day off” if, and only if, there is a legitimate secular purpose for doing so—a purpose that is consistent with the educational mission of public schools.
The most obvious secular reason for closing schools on religious holidays is absenteeism. If a large number of students and teachers are absent, the district can likely justify adding that day to the list of school closures. What constitutes high absenteeism in Hopkinton for any given potential holiday?
It would be interesting to compare historical absentee data for each holiday added to the calendar with the total students enrolled in the district that year. In America today, expanding religious diversity makes it impractical to keep adding religious holidays to the school calendar without strong evidence that classes can’t function well on those days.
And even with such evidence, schools can’t keep adding days off without seriously undermining their educational mission. All public schools can, however, accommodate students of all faiths by having a clear policy allowing every student a reasonable number of excused absences for religious observance—without penalty. And schools can level the playing field somewhat by trying to avoid scheduling major tests and events on religious holidays that are widely celebrated in their community.
Although schools can’t close for every religious holy day, they can find ways to make sure that students of all faiths are treated with fairness and respect.
Hopkinton Parent
LTE: The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of HopNews. Letters may be edited for clarity, grammar, and length.
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Agreed. I too would like to see the data on absenteeism that was used to support adding the additional holidays. Adding more holidays may have been the committee’s attempt to be more inclusive of our diverse student body. However, I think it is in danger of doing the opposite, and is favoring some cultures over others. A better way to honor our diversity while respecting all learners is through providing excused absences and additional flexibility around make-up work for a student’s religious or cultural observances.
Kristin you hit the nail squarely on the head. Excused absences for observances is I believe the solution otherwise where does it stop? We seem to favor some cultures over others and if we observe some cultures holidays then why not all of them? This would not be feasible as the school year would run into July and would violate the teachers contract. Throw in a tough winter worth of snow days and we are up against it as it is! Additionally in speaking to some high school teachers with their current schedule format it can be tough to gain any traction or teaching momentum. Due to days off there is a lapse of sometimes 3-4 days between meeting with a particular class. I’m all for inclusiveness and respecting cultures but sometimes a tough decision needs to be made for the better good of the educational process. I believe less days off and educational continuity benefits both teachers and students alike.
I fully agree with Hopkinton Parent.
It’s disheartening that in a town which prides itself on inclusivity, those with differing opinions are often silenced or shunned—forcing people to share their perspectives anonymously just to be heard. I would imagine this was the reason for the radio silence at the zoom listening session in September.
The last two surveys regarding the calendar garnered 1200 responses from parents and overwhelmingly parents and teacher were for less holidays. Though the calendar responses far exceeded our attendance at many town meetings the school committee continues to go against the families they represent.
I am all for inclusivity and believe it could be weaved into the curriculum. Towns and cities far more diverse than Hopkinton have moved to either only federal holidays or to observe days that most dramatically affect the school attendance.
As usual, parent concerns in this town seem to fall on deaf ears.
Thanksgiving, one week in December, one week in March should be all we need! If you celebrate a holiday take it off – = between the holidays and half days, there is no continuity!! Please don’t come after me – just my OPINION.
As a parent I fully agree that continually adding cultural or religious days off is problematic and not in line with a public school’s mission. As a centrist citizen, I also see religion, especially Christianity, being used as a political tool to an extreme level. One way to add rational balance is to acknowledge and respect our diverse student body, and I’m fine with an extra day off or two to achieve this