BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–On Tuesday night, the Board of Education designated April 21 (which had been a teacher work day) and May 26 (Memorial Day) as make-up instructional time for two of the four days recently missed due to inclement weather this school year.
“Understanding the importance of the Memorial Day holiday and that families may have made plans for one or both of the make-up dates, the district recommended these dates due to the positive impact of each and every day of instruction,” said a district spokesperson on Facebook. “With alternative dates being June 2 and 3–at the end of the school year and after final exams, graduation, and the closing of grades–this schedule change was made in order to best meet the needs of students.”
Some parents were quick to share their disapproval of the district’s decision to have school on Memorial Day.
“No, my children will not be attending school on Memorial Day,” said Amy Wheeler-Baker. “I would rather have them do school on a Saturday than to take away from the fact that this holiday is in observance of the memory of thousands of military service members who have died in the service of this great country.”
The district; however, explained that having school on this particular day will allow students to learn more about the brave men and women who have served our country.
“The district is proud to celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 26 as an opportunity for learning, reflecting, and honoring the memories and sacrifices of the men and women who died while serving and protecting our nation,” wrote the district spokesperson on social media. “Schools across the district will observe Memorial Day with in-class learning projects, assembly programs, and guest speakers. High school students may participate in class projects, and some may also have opportunities to engage in community celebrations involving JROTC, music and art students.”
Some parents still called the make-up day a ‘poor move’ by district officials.
“Memorial Day is too important to be USED as an ice makeup day! I predict few children will be at school that day. Suggest you re-think this,” wrote Dawn Summer Graham.
There were others who supported the district’s move.
“For many years we actually had school on Memorial Day. As a teacher, I want to make the days up before June. As a teacher, I want to make the days up before June. I will plan lessons that will allow us time to honor and reflect on the holiday. Many of us will use this opportunity to teach kids that the holiday is more than a sleep in, cook out day!” wrote said Jenna Savini Thierfelder. “The days we missed were for our safety and now we have to make up the time. As a parent I will teach my kids that even though things aren’t how we expected them to be, we will respect authority and do what’s right.”
Helen Louise Wall Hayes also agreed.
“Realistically people. You are mostly going to char animal flesh and get sunburned,” she wrote. “Your children need the education of the historic importance of the day. Not too long ago this was NOT a holiday. Stop the high and mighty talk, allow your school district to do their jobs to EDUCATE your children and stop fighting them. Every man in my family has been in the military. Observe and appreciate them everyday not just a day the calendar says to.”
According to the school district, In the past, having children out of school meant that 31,000 students stay home unattended while parents are at work with no access to Memorial Day events. Though this year’s holiday, they say, was originally planned to be a day away from instruction, the district values the opportunities children will have in our schools to learn about and celebrate this important day of remembering and honoring.
“We look forward to being able to bring programs to our children in the classroom where they can be part of the curriculum and true learning experiences,” said a district spokesperson.
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