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I am curious why do public schools close for certain Jewish holidays? I went to Catholic School up until college and never gave it much thought. I mean if public schools are non-secular, why close schools on those holidays. Some schools even have problems with the word "God" stated in the Pledge of Alligence. Can anyone share any real insight. I am just curious and not trying to offend or question anyone's religion here.
I think it's a local decision based on the town's demographics. Our school district, Boonton, did not close on the recent Jewish holidays, but two neighboring towns' schools did. So it's not a state-wide mandate, by any means.
Good Friday seems to be handled the same way. These are not national holidays and can be recognized, or not, on the local level.
Schools with a large number of students or staff that celebrate certain holidays will work said holidays into their calendar. This avoids huge numbers or students/staff taking off on their own on those days. My district gives us off for some Muslim holidays as well, but my sister teaches in another town in NJ and hers does not.
Probably for the same reason they close for Christmas and Easter.
Exactly. If enough students and/or teachers will be taking the day off anyway, what is the point? Imagine trying to find enough substitute teachers if 1/4 or more of the teachers in a district will be absent. It wouldn't be easy, especially considering there are plenty of substitutes who are Jewish too. Christmas isn't an American holiday either, but what would be the point of holding classes so many people wouldn't show up?
Yes, I believe it has more to do with the staff.... it would be pretty difficult to get coverage for the teachers, and also since many students would be out....
And last I checked, no matter what day of the week Dec 25 is, you can be guaranteed that schools are off.
I think it's a local decision based on the town's demographics. Our school district, Boonton, did not close on the recent Jewish holidays, but two neighboring towns' schools did. So it's not a state-wide mandate, by any means.
Good Friday seems to be handled the same way. These are not national holidays and can be recognized, or not, on the local level.
Thanks for the reply. This helps me to understand better. I remember attending NYU and many times tests on fridays used to be postponed because of the large number of religious Jewish students not able to attend class that day. I remember when I had asked about taking off Good Friday, my teacher told me that it would not be possible for me to postpone the test. Institutions are supposed to make reasonable accommodations for religious reasons, yes?
I remember when I had asked about taking off Good Friday, my teacher told me that it would not be possible for me to postpone the test.
That is pretty surprising. The professor was definitely in the wrong. If you would have fought it, you would have won.
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