[VTLiving]

I live in Colchester and my DD goes to public school. She learned about some religious holidays in her kindergarten class. We are not religious though. But her teacher touched about a few different religions around the holiday time.

[isis297]

How do you like living there and how does it compare to my "wants"?

[68vette]

I'm a Colchester resident as well. I would say this area does meet most of your needs, but this is Chittenden County. The cost of living can be very high. It will all depend on income. Home prices in this part of Chittenden County have dropped very little if at all. In some areas, home prices have continued to increase. The number one thing is securing a job before deciding to make the move.

Religion is a touchy subject in the schools, many including the board itself consider it taboo. The Board of Education has taken the US Dept Of Educations stand: Students may express their beliefs about religion in homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free from discrimination. The sticking point is that they do not want to appear to be celebrating Christmas (or other similar holidays). From the Vermont ACLU, School officials may not sponsor, facilitate, promote, or participate in religious activities. Teachers may include readings from religious texts, as long as these are presented objectively as part of a secular (non-religious) course, such as in history, world studies, or literature classes.
That's very plain English, isn't it?

[isis297]

Originally Posted by VTLiving

I live in Colchester and my DD goes to public school. She learned about some religious holidays in her kindergarten class. We are not religious though. But her teacher touched about a few different religions around the holiday time.

I know it's been a while, but what do you think about the public schools?

[isis297]

Originally Posted by 68vette

I'm a Colchester resident as well. I would say this area does meet most of your needs, but this is Chittenden County. The cost of living can be very high. It will all depend on income. Home prices in this part of Chittenden County have dropped very little if at all. In some areas, home prices have continued to increase. The number one thing is securing a job before deciding to make the move.

Religion is a touchy subject in the schools, many including the board itself consider it taboo. The Board of Education has taken the US Dept Of Educations stand: Students may express their beliefs about religion in homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free from discrimination. The sticking point is that they do not want to appear to be celebrating Christmas (or other similar holidays). From the Vermont ACLU, School officials may not sponsor, facilitate, promote, or participate in religious activities. Teachers may include readings from religious texts, as long as these are presented objectively as part of a secular (non-religious) course, such as in history, world studies, or literature classes.
That's very plain English, isn't it?

I'd love your opinion as well.