Maryland Schools Consider Floating Holidays

[kwillia]

A state education department committee says public school students in Maryland could be given up to two "floating holidays" for religious observances.

The idea was developed after the Muslim community objected to a decision by Baltimore County schools to close on two Jewish holidays. Muslim leaders asked that the schools also close for two sacred Muslim holidays, or not at all.

The proposal must still be formally submitted to the state school superintendent and will likely require a legal review.

The president of the Baltimore County Muslim Council, Bash Pharoan, calls the proposal "a step in the right direction."

 

[vraiblonde]

Want to hear my great idea? Let's close offices and schools EVERY day! I mean, it's a religious holiday somewhere, right?

Actually, their idea of floating holidays is a good one. That way everyone can get their holiday off, whether you're Christian or Muslim or Wiccan or whatever.

 

[Ken King]

How would it work if the teacher was Jewish and the students weren't would they have to bring in a sub for the teacher on Jewish holidays? Or is it that the teachers religions don't count?

 

[ylexot]

That sounds like a good idea to me. I assume they would have to declare their religion and the days of the holidays at the beginning of the year.

Also, do atheists just get the last two days off or do they just get screwed?

 

[huntr1]

That sounds like a good idea to me. I assume they would have to declare their religion and the days of the holidays at the beginning of the year.

Also, do atheists just get the last two days off or do they just get screwed?

screwed