However, they can't require kids to attend school over those holidays, particularly those kids who observe those holidays. Improved Morals Public schools are dealing with some very heavy issues in the recent years. Religious education should not be a compulsory subject in public schools because this requirement can violate the rights of both students and policies. Are the people planning a culture night, for example, representatives from the cultures being celebrated? Typically, major national holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother's Day and Father's Day are discussed and celebrated, with affiliated presentations, parties, and at times art or writing projects affiliated with them. GOVERNMENTS . In the U.S., public schools may educate students about holidays with respect to cultural education but may not actually celebrate a holiday if it is a religious one. Legally, they technically can't. Dear public schools: Not everyone is Christian. As in, technically, no Christmas or Easter parties, that sort of thing. Read more: There is nothing wrong with wanting to highlight them in schools. However, according to this CBC article, it doesn’t prevent teachers from neglecting to inform parents their kids are exempt on those days to observe their holiday. Is the pandemic to blame for lower college enrollments? Certain cultures and religious traditions, for example, do not celebrate holidays such as Halloween and Christmas, and some students may need to excuse themselves from the classroom during holiday parties and activities. Religious Freedom The constitution dictates that every person has the right to practice whatever religion they would like, at anytime and anywhere that they would like. I’m not arguing that all religious dates should be holidays for staff and students. Could this also be the case with holidays being celebrated in schools? A: Teachers must be alert to the distinction between teaching about religious holidays, which is permissible, and celebrating religious holi-days, which is not. How kids of other faiths are getting shortchanged. Public school administrators have to consider numerous factors when deciding when class ought to be in session. The CCSS state: "Students appreciate that the 21st-century classroom and workplace are settings in which people from often widely divergent cultures and who represent diverse experiences and perspectives must learn and work together. Schools should recognize non-Christian religious holidays – … Religious Holidays in 8 the Public Schools 108 Tips for Planning Religious Holidays in Public Schools Before planning a religious holiday activity in a public school, ask the following questions: 1. Many, if not most, educators hold these celebrations as a welcomed break from academics, and as a way to introduce students from other countries and cultures to the cherished traditions and celebrations of the United States, and introduce students from the U.S. to other cultures, their traditions and celebrations. 36. Why is my tween suddenly interested in faith?>. Is this activity designed in any way to either promote or inhibit religion? 2. Editor’s note: The following section on religious holidays contains consensus guidelines drafted and endorsed by a broad range of 17 religious and educational groups. In terms of celebrations and holiday traditions, what purpose are they serving? Which cultures and traditions, then, are celebrated and discussed, and which aren't? Dr. Jerry Falwell, president of the Faith and Values Coalition, in an interview with CNN commented that he had a list of 40 areas where “other holidays may be talked about, such as Kwanza or Hanukah, et cetera, but Christmas has be berated.” Ultimately, we need to carefully consider the consequences of any actions taken in schools. However, schools may consider closing when large numbers of student and teacher absences are anticipated. Erick Herrmann How does this activity serve the academic goals of the course, or the The voices of the people who represent specific cultural traditions should be included in these discussions and planning, so we do not inadvertently misrepresent a cultural tradition or holiday. Wednesday, November 15, 2017. On Monday he discussed the issue on the Brian Lehrer Show, declaring that he planned to move forward with closing schools for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha , as well as for the Lunar New Year. These questions are critical to take into account. The job of public schools is to not to celebrate religious holidays, but to teach students about Christianity and other religions in history, literature, art, and music or wherever in the curriculum study about religions is necessary for a good education. They have. September 11, 2015. As public schools in the United States continue to increase in ... alienate children who do not engage in such celebrations and offend parents whose Why we go to synagogue, even though I’m an atheist> Another consideration is the amount of time being spent on holiday traditions and celebrations. Religious holidays. For example, when our local elementary school planned a trip to the Toronto Islands during the Jewish high holiday, the kids were exempt—but putting parents in the position where their kids miss out on class fun and bonding experiences in favour of a staid day at the synagogue or dinner with extended family isn’t fair. Given these mixed feelings toward cultural and holiday celebrations and presentations, educators should take the following considerations into mind as they plan and celebrate the cultural and holiday traditions of the country and the populations they serve. Holidays and cultural celebrations are an important part of every society and culture. What does God mean? : Answering the tough questions>, Why is my tween suddenly interested in faith?>. Students may have family and ancestors from various parts of the world, and may have grown up in the United States, but are not necessarily ambassadors or representatives of the culture that their ancestors come from. This Monday, September 14, is Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), one of the two most important holidays in the Jewish calendar. At other times a "culture night" may be celebrated, with teachers, parents or students sharing cultural artifacts or traditions in a variety of ways. Your Industry Needs YOUR Expert Voice Every December, public school students, parents, teachers and administrators face the difficult task of acknowledging the various religious and secular holiday traditions celebrated during that time of year. In fact, the Common Core State Standards emphasize the ability to understand other's perspectives and cultures as a key college and career readiness skill for the 21st century. While the main purpose of schools might be considered as academic in nature, some celebrations take time away from this purpose. Should Religious Education be a compulsory subject in all schools, including public schools? Just like language, it is difficult to imagine a society without them. Depending on how the cultural tradition or holiday is being celebrated, students may be having fun and practicing academic skills, through writing, reading or discussing the topic, for example. Canada, especially its larger cities, is becoming more ethnically and religiously diverse. MPR News Staff January 28, 2016, 9:18 AM Jan 28, 2016. Every educator wants classroom and school celebrations to be just that — celebratory. But that is not necessarily the right way to solve the "December Dilemma." Celebrations of other cultures are also sometimes a part of school celebrations and traditions. How difficult is it to not schedule a meeting for a small handful of days a year so that other faiths can observe their sacred events? Certain cultures and religious traditions, for example, do not celebrate holidays such as Halloween and Christmas, and some students may need to excuse themselves from the classroom during holiday parties and activities. (opinion). Muslim families in New York City have been requesting official recognition for Islamic holidays in public schools for years now, but they may finally see some changes under new Mayor Bill de Blasio. However, others believe these celebrations potentially cause more harm than good, taking precious academic learning time from students or "tokenizing" other cultures, creating division and supremacist attitudes, and representing world cultures in simplistic or stereotypical ways. Public schools should not close or reschedule activities solely because of conflicts between the school calendar and religious holidays. When it comes to minority cultures and celebrations, it is especially important to consider who has a voice at the table in terms of planning and delivering these celebrations. Sponsored link. However, the U.S. public school calendar has historically been designed around Christmas / New Years. Breaking down barriers to make career and technical pathways accessible for everyone, How employers are helping employees reduce student loan debt, Report: Only 6% of US companies offer comprehensive child care benefits, For the new school year, relationships first, academic content later, Millions of high school students set for success: Celebrating Career and Technical Education Month, To fight crime, engage kids in quality after-school programs, How often and why college students are dropping out. If you have access to a library, you will find it interesting to note what reference books say about holidays … Every educator wants classroom and school celebrations to be just that, Business Management, Services & Risk Management. © Copyright 2021 St. Joseph Communications. Just 17% think there should be no religious holiday celebrations in … The United States is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world, and one of the most religious of the developed nations in the world. And with this diversity comes questions on how to accommodate different religious holidays. At times, these celebrations and parties are conducted just before holiday breaks, as students are excited and potentially more focused on vacation than doing academic work. Teachers and schools regularly engage in activities during and after school to celebrate the various cultures that are represented in the school, as well as national holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For some families, the winter holiday times can bring anxiety, sadness and fear, as family dysfunction or loved ones who have passed are remembered. First of all, one should bear in mind that some of the learners may not have any religious beliefs. Depending on the school, the particular holidays or celebrations chosen may represent the cultures of the student population represented in the school. The time taken for these celebrations may well be worthwhile to build community, celebrate and have fun with students. Many people are against having prayer in school, why take out prayer, but leave in religious holidays? It is important that we also remember that a student's ethnic heritage is not necessarily directly tied to their cultural practices. It’s even a battle sometimes in the workforce, with many corporations insisting that certain religious holidays be marked down as a vacation day. Is it educational for public schools to celebrate these holidays, or unconstitutional? If some students are excluded from these celebrations, are those goals being accomplished? However, I do think schools have a responsibility to take a closer look at the demographics of their student body and schedule any tests or class events around those significant dates. Emma Waverman is a writer, blogger and mom to three kids. While these celebrations and traditions are a part of the fabric of American society, they have the potential to exclude students for a variety of reasons. Similarly, holidays such as Mother's Day and Father's Day can bring painful reminders of parents who are no longer living, are absent or who have been abusive — not all students have a loving relationship with their parents. Are they meant to bring awareness of the history of the holiday, to bring fun and excitement to the classroom, or to bring unity and assimilation to U.S. culture? by "New York Times Upfront"; News, opinion and commentary General interest Public schools International aspects Social aspects Religion Religious beliefs Circuit Court of Appeals, Koenick vs. Felton. Can you imagine the uproar if people had to use a vacation day for Christmas? In every culture around the world, humans engage in cultural and holiday traditions and celebrations. Both Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr (the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting) join Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Christmas and Easter as holidays for everyone. She has many opinions, some of them fit to print. Some cultural and holiday activities may include academic activities such as artistic activities, reading books or articles about the topic or writing prompts. But at a local level, schools are often oblivious to major holidays. By not letting people celebrate any holiday, Christmas, Hanakuh, And Kwanzaa, It is violating their right as a United States citizen, To the First Amendment in the Constitution of the United States of America. Recognition of and information about holidays may focus on how and when they are celebrated, their origins, histo- The high court has ruled, however, that the government may not erect an explicitly New York City recently added two Muslim holidays to their school calendar. It’s never easy negotiating the Jewish holidays, and I often find myself disappointed that schools (and workplaces) often need constant reminders about Rosh Hashanah. The leading source for targeted, industry specific news briefs. Through reading great classic and contemporary works of literature representative of a variety of periods, cultures, and worldviews, students can vicariously inhabit worlds and have experiences much different than their own.". This article shows teachers how to bring rich cultural content into their teaching in a way that expands students' knowledge, interest, and respect for the group being featured. Perhaps one of the first considerations should be which holidays and traditions are celebrated in school — and why. We should question, then, the purpose of these celebrations in schools. Erick Herrmann is an educational consultant specialized in teaching English learners, and he runs Academic Language Learning Institute, Inc.. Erick has worked with thousands of teachers across the nation to help them improve their instructional practice and increase academic achievement for all students. RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS Teachers should work to ensure that all holiday activities focus on objective study about religion, not indoctrination. Activities, reading books or articles about the topic or writing prompts of awareness. Day for Christmas, one should bear in mind that some of them to. Or unconstitutional should be celebrated in school, why is my tween suddenly interested in faith? > main! People had to use videos to boost your sales acknowledge Christmas have fun students. 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