All rights reserved. On the contrary, most public school teachers genuinely wish to be sensitive to each childs individual needs. 3. Building on Schneider's observation, it's fair to say that festivals foster community pride, teach people new things, and strengthen relationships. Holiday celebrations build and strengthen connections between home and school, and among children who share the same holidays. Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA, Natalie Leppard Do Expulsion and Suspension Work in Public Schools? "Given the small size of our team, we will do an in-person Christmas party this year and people can bring their spouses and partners along," he said. Instead of focusing on religious holidays, the school celebrates the different cultures within the student body, hosting a Lunar New Year and a Filipino festival that are reflective of the majority Asian student population, and an African American festival created in response to student requests. Paiges school, Maple Elementary, doesnt have Christmas or Hanukkah parties. News Corp is a global, diversified media and information services company focused on creating and distributing authoritative and engaging content and other products and services. You have successfully saved this page as a bookmark. Are Cell Phones and Public Schools Becoming a More Amicable Union? Its hard to imagine Christmas without seeing Santa at the mall or Thanksgiving without the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. Holiday parties take away from classroom instruction. Instead, students learn about the accomplishments of Indigenous peoples and look at Thanksgiving from both European and Native American perspectives. Children who practice Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism do not celebrate Christmas. Vouchers for Special Education: Are They a Good Idea? Religious significance. However, there are a number of steps that can help these parties celebrate less about a specific religion or social practice and more about the beliefs that are common to many religions and cultural practices goodwill towards others, charity, and family among them. [16]. She has students choose one to three resources, which include songs and videos in addition to stories and articles. "That is, work should simply be a way for you to earn the money to live the lifestyle you want to live. From kindergarteners to middle school students, use this age-specific, sage advice to evaluate and help your child prepare for the next school year. How did your child's school fare this year in celebrating the holidays? When I was a kid, we didnt talk about differences, said Pemberton. Explaining his teaching philosophy, Hassan said a worthwhile history curriculum is one that would have slavery and racism ingrained within it, just as it is in American society. Additionally, many of these individuals rely on school days as childcare for their children. The pros (and cons) that every December . By adding the perspective of Indigenous peoples to that of the European settlers, these educators attempt to give students a deeper understanding our national story. Employee resource groups will help host virtual meetings that support their community members and efforts, Young said. With a large part of this being shopping and gift giving, Statesman discusses the gluttony and capitalism behind holidays, and whether these have taken a toll on traditional holiday values and celebrations. If so, how? Children should have the chance to explore the meaning and significance of each holiday. This autumn, several of my English friends stressed about spending the . Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, in 2014 graded all 50 states and the District of Columbia on how well their public schools taught the civil-rights era to students. document.head.append(temp_style); You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. feelings of belonging improve academic outcomes, school leaders realized they werent meeting their students needs. ", Reece said he feels that having a party is important as a reward for his employees' hard work handling this year's real estate boom. In fact, these voters may be more likely to have to work as a result of a federal election holiday, where they may have had time off previously on a random Tuesday in November. The holiday season is here, and with Christmas music playing and stores decked out in festive decor, its hard not to tell. He believed the heritage and contributions of black Americans was excluded from history, and he saw this knowledge as essential to social change. [25], According to the AFL-CIO, 30 states require employers to allow employees time off for voting. Plus, 60% off clearance with American Eagle promo code, Why Lori Lightfoot Is the First Chicago Mayor to Lose in 40 Years, The Airline Experiment to Make Boarding Less Awful, More Younger People Are Getting Colorectal Cancers, and Doctors Dont Know Why, The 20-Somethings Fueling a Stick-Shift Renaissance, Long-Robust U.S. Labor Market Shows Signs of Cooling, Opinion: Ron DeSantis: Why I Stood Up to Disney, Opinion: The Chips Act Becomes Industrial Social Policy, Opinion: Major Questions in the Student-Loan Forgiveness Case, Opinion: It Doesnt Make Sense to Blame Crime on Poverty, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Loses Re-Election Bid, An Inside Look at Ukrainian Troops Training to Use Western Tanks. Spanking in Public Schools: The Ongoing Debate. Siegel acknowledges holidays year-round through stories, songs, and games, connecting them by their common themes. Learn about what you can do as a parent to improve your child's public school. But this means that teachers have to work hard to ensure that each child experiences, Questions? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. She also teaches them about other holidays from around the world, in order to expose them to cultures and beliefs outside of their own. [7] A handful of states have made election day a state holiday, including New York, Hawaii, Kentucky, and, in Apr. For example, he discusses the history, geography, and cultural influence of China when teaching students about Chinese New Year. A third social benefit of festival sponsorship is stronger relationships within a community. The economic benefits of successful festivals ripple throughout a local economy affecting tourism and non-tourism-related businesses alike. Critical academic skills need daily repetition and teachers know that parents may not be able to carry out practice at home. With the children home for the holidays, with the spirit of love and peace in their hearts, how did their schools celebrate the season? Now in its 40th year, questions remain about the value of commemorating it in classrooms. In many cases, the faces of marketing ploys have become accepted traditions in our own homes. Not all employers are ready to abandon Zoom-based celebrations. The seed of what is now known as Black History Month was planted in the doctoral thesis of Carter G. Woodson, a noted scholar, author, and co-founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. By definition, festivals attract visitors. [8], In the 2016 presidential election, 55.7% of the American voting-age population cast a ballot. "I love a celebration that revolves around a Czechoslovakian pastry," he says. She recently created Google Slide librarieswhich she shared with that Facebook groupto acknowledge holidays her students celebrate, including Christmas, Rosh Hashanah, and Ramadan. According to a study conducted by psychologist Tim Kassner, holidays centered around spiritual or family events are much more enjoyable than ones centered around presents and shopping. The end of the year tends to throw this problem into sharp relief, but of course it extends well beyond December as religious and cultural holidays occur throughout the year. With research showing that feelings of belonging improve academic outcomes, its imperative that all students see their authentic selvesincluding their families culture and heritagereflected in their classrooms and schools. The Debate. The Evolution of American Voting Rights in 242 Years Shows How Far Weve Come -- and How Far We Still Have to Go, businessinsider.com, Sep. 24, 2019, University of Houston Digital History, "Agriculture, digitalhistory.uh.edu (accessed Sep. 24, 2019), USDA, "Ag and Food Sectors and the Economy, ers.usda.gov, Sep. 20, 2019, Legal Information Institute, "5 U.S. Code 6103. What does Minnesota celebrate? For Thanksgiving, Toppen suggests having students compare harvest dances from Indigenous cultures in parts of the world where they have ancestors. This schedule cycles consistently throughout the year while making minor adjustments for major holidays and teacher workdays. New California Law Addresses Issue of School Fees Once Again. More people would vote if they had more time to cast their ballots Furthermore, celebrating our democracy publicly would send the message that we value each others citizenship as much as we value honoring past presidents. [13], Donald Green, PhD, Burgess Professor of Political Science at Columbia University, found that nonpartisan community parties celebrating Election Day in 2005, 2006, and 2016 increased voter participation between 2.6 percentage points and about 4 percentage points. In response to a questionnaire, 87 percent of celebration attendees indicated they had learned new information about lady slippers, while 47 percent said they were more knowledgeable about Native American culture after attending the event. 14, 2019, BBC, "Singapore Election: Governing Party Secure Decisive Win, bbc.com, Sep. 12, 2015, Holly Jackson, "It's Time to Make Election Day a Holiday in Law and Spirit," washingtonpost.com, Oct. 22, 2018, BCP Associates, "India Elections 2019 - Declaration of Paid Holiday on Polling Day, bcpassociates.com, Apr. The levels of excitement and stress that are associated with the build up to Christmas can lead to students feeling distracted and hyper meaning they are less likely to concentrate in the classroom. Pros and cons of holiday breaks. Should Public School Students be Allowed to Pray Before Lunch? The consumerism of holidays can be attributed to the growing amount of commercials and ads that we see in the media. Other popular year-round schedules are the 60-20 and 90-30 calendars, where students are in class for 60 or 90 days with vacations of 20 or 30 days respectively. The Impact of Coronavirus on Public Schools. Some of the most prominent are African-American History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Women's History Month. Should Election Day be a national holiday? State law allows only three parties per school year anyway, and those should be focused on more acceptable events like Christmas. We celebrate a man that was very brave. Over the decades, the week-long celebration evolved into a month-long celebration and year-round observance of African American History as American History. [3] In 1800, 83% of the American labor force was agrarian, but today only 11% of total US employment is agriculture-related. Build specialized knowledge and expand your influence by earning a SHRM Specialty Credential. Attendees at the 2011 Irish Fair of Minnesota, for example, spent an average of $50 at the festival site. InASALH began a tradition of implementing a yearly theme as an additional focus for public attention on areas that are important to focus on as a community. 31, Statesman Sound Station: March Part 1 Mar. What is Race to the Top and How will it Benefit Public Schools? A recent Macys advertisement prompted customers to hurry to their doorbuster sale, where doors opened as early as 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving night. ACLU Says Yes. After a quarter of parents removed their kidsover 100 studentsfrom Halloween events at North Country Elementary School in Antelope, California, school leaders realized they werent meeting their students needs and stopped celebrating Halloween. Siegel connects the themes he covers to other aspects of instruction, sharing lessons on geography and social studies that connect to different cultures around the world. [23], Annie McDonald, Editor of the Berkeley Public Policy Journal, noted that the workers who are least likely to get paid holidays are those who already have less of a voice in the political process: Americans working in retail, hospitality, and service jobs, for example, would most likely not receive the benefit of a paid holiday to vote. You may change your billing preferences at any time in the Customer Center or call On-site spending includes admission fees, parking fees, food, beverage and souvenir sales and more. When we look past the materialistic society we live in and past the glamor, we find the true holiday values we were taught from a young ageand thats something you cant put a price on. How Should Public Schools Make Up for Snow Days? What does Minnesota celebrate? The seed of what is now known as Black History Month was planted in the doctoral thesis of Carter G. Woodson, a noted scholar, author, and co-founder of the Association for the . Why or why not? Please confirm that you want to proceed with deleting bookmark. Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. And yes, while some holidays have been secularized to the public in becoming more of a cultural phenomenon than a religious event, the value and traditions of these holidays, be it about religion or family, are still ones many people believe in. Woodsons dedication to the research and promotion of black history has been memorialized by his actionsin 1926 he declared the second week of February Negro History Weekand his words: If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated. While gifts and presents may be seen as kind gestures, the best gift you can give is the gift of love and companionship. Read More, Election Day is a holiday in Puerto Rico. "The best thing about being involved with festivals and events is the opportunity to help build a community, foster a sense of pride within a community, and engage a community," says Chris Romano, a business consultant with Thrivent Financial Services. Statistics from the National Retail Federation show an eleven percent drop in sales and a 5.3 percent decline in customers. Especially around this time of year, many commercials are advertising new technology and gadgets that would be the perfect gifts for friends and family. What are the Biggest Problems Facing the Public School System? February 22, 2016. This year, she had students complete a group research project about the holidays using the digital libraries she had created. "My team has worked incredible hours not only to recover from the financial impact of the pandemic, but also to take advantage of the massive increase in business we've had. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. While last year's parties were almost exclusively virtual, declining coronavirus cases, rising vaccination rates and the arrival of COVID-19 booster shots are allowing for more in-person experiences this time around, especially at smaller employers. Many Jewish families do not hang stockings or exchange gifts on Christmas day. In addition to having students share their traditionsand using Nearpod, Teaching Tolerance, and Scholastic to offer more background knowledge about the holidaysOfferdahl pairs students who celebrate different holidays and has them write about and discuss their traditions and the commonalities between them. And most of us are probably guilty of paying a little less attention to our December friends' big days than we do to birthdays that fall in other months of the year. Testing Students for Alcohol Use: Violation of Constitutional Rights? This autumn, several of my English friends stressed about spending the holidays with their families, and asked what Id be doing. Here are the proper bibliographic citations for this page according to four style manuals (in alphabetical order): [Editor's Note: The APA citation style requires double spacing within entries. May offend families with different beliefs. In elementary schools, Santa might make an appearance. Cultural festivals are a great way to immerse yourself in a new cultural without needing to invest in a plane ticket, time off, visas, and pre-trip doctors appointments. What is a Magnet School? Pros of Celebrating Holidays: Only shows limited view of a culture. Arizona, for example, allows employees who do not have three consecutive hours before or after work when the polls are open to take paid time off to vote at the start or end of their work days. [28][29], Patagonia, an outdoor clothing retailer, paused operation on Nov. 6, 2018 so that all employees could vote. As a parent, you have ample opportunities to help your child and his or her classmates adopt a multicultural worldview -- around the year. Whatever a festival's theme, it's bound to be instructional and visitors are bound to learn from it. At LA Tutors in Beverly Hills, Calif., celebrations will also be in person for its 58 employees this year, said Eric Kim, the firm's program/HR director. Now a K5 teacher at Symonds Elementary School in Keene, New Hampshire, Siegel is motivated to highlight the cultural history behind a variety of holidays, which he teaches as a means to emphasize commonalities between different cultures. How Chipotle's Stock Price More Than Quadrupled in Five Years, How Repaying Student Loans Is ChangingDramatically. "COVID-19 may have postponed a lot of things, but not the spirit of the holidays. January 25, 2015. But off-site spending related to festivals generates revenue for communities, too. Solutions vary: Some schools have canceled Halloween, for example, as families opted out for religious or personal reasons, and many schools struggle to teach students about Thanksgiving in a way that acknowledges the impact of the European settlers on the Indigenous population. Please note that all such forms and policies should be reviewed by your legal counsel for compliance with applicable law, and should be modified to suit your organizations culture, industry, and practices. All these goings-on are part of what makes Minnesota a great place to live. Is a Major Overhaul Coming to Texas High Schools? With holidays becoming more commercial, Christmas and Chanukah have lost some of their value. Or is it an optimistic idea that would exclude already disadvantaged voters while failing to increase turnout? Preschool theme days have a better chance of being a smashing success if you allow plenty of time for planning and thinking through all of the aspects of the events. Besides being fun, well-managed festivals and events offer a host of economic and social benefits to communities. For the second year in a row, Human Interest, a retirement-plan provider in San Francisco, is holding a virtual celebration called "The Weeks of Wonder." Like many other HR professionals, Pizana believes it's important for her office to commemorate the holidays in person because of the many challenges its staff overcame together in 2021. Thus, espousing the mainstream Christian views of the holiday can serve to alienate children who do not engage in such celebrations and offend parents whose religious beliefs differ from those celebrated at school. Explore which countries have weekend voting with Pew Research. Opponents say it allows only a few states to select the president. Each year, the community of Lindstrom hosts Karl Oskar Days to celebrate its Swedish heritage. While some see the holiday break for a vacation and others for family bonding, the vast majority of us can agree that this time of the year remains alarge part of American culture. However, not all children share the same beliefs. Are Waivers the Answer to the No Child Left Behind Program? Opponents say kids arent mature enough to vote. Its important to embrace these occasions as an opportunity to appreciate what you have been blessed with and take time to spend with family and loved ones. Cindy Yao and Joylyn Yang, Staff ReportersJanuary 25, 2015. [31] Same-day registration boosts turnout by 5%, and universal implementation of it would have added as many as 4.8 million voters in the 2016 election, according to Danielle Root, JD, and Liz Kennedy, JD, from the Center for American Progress. Resources, which include songs and videos in addition to stories and.... Give is the gift of love and companionship Elementary Schools, Santa might Make an.! Own homes believed the heritage and contributions of black Americans was excluded from History, geography, those! The 2016 presidential election, 55.7 % of the holidays visitors are bound to be to... Celebrations build and strengthen connections between home and school, and among children share... 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Spirit of the American voting-age population cast a ballot commercials and ads that see... Many cases, the week-long celebration evolved into a month-long celebration and observance! Maple Elementary, doesnt have Christmas or Hanukkah parties learning and teaching in preK-12 Education George! Their families, and Women & # x27 ; s History Month, Hispanic Month... Who practice Islam, Hinduism, and those should be focused on More acceptable like. High Schools school year anyway, and those should be focused on More acceptable events Christmas! As essential to social change Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade the year while making minor adjustments for holidays! Presents may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server the Macys Thanksgiving Parade... It 's bound to learn from it Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade cindy Yao and Joylyn,., several of my English friends stressed about spending the on school Days as childcare their... The economic benefits of successful festivals ripple throughout a local economy affecting tourism and non-tourism-related alike.