Comments on: Muslim Holidays: On Closing the Schools http://www.adamsweb.us/blog/muslim_holidays_on_closing_the_schools/ Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.-Ronald Reagan Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:31:36 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: randomyak [Member] http://www.adamsweb.us/blog/muslim_holidays_on_closing_the_schools/comment-page-1/#comment-1597 randomyak [Member] Mon, 12 Jun 2006 17:39:07 +0000 http://adamsweb.us/blog/blog/index.php/a/2006/06/10/muslim-holidays-on-closing-the-schools/#comment-1597 Have to agree with you on this one, Adam. The issue is not one of "observing" (if they were truly observing they would have school on the day in question and dedicate the day's lessons to thematic activities associated with the event - at least that's what "observing" means in my book). The issue is also what kind of teaching would accompany these new "days off" - and I share your concern that the Muslim activists would want to require not only days off but also explicit instruction in the reason and observance thereof - during regular school house. Instruction not received (or warranted) for other holy days.<br /> <br /> Another issue, at least in my mind, is the amount of additional time-off this would require for students who, in many cases, would be better off with more hours in the classroom rather than less. Of course, one could also make a case for more "effective" hours - but then, you read my blog and you know how high I think the likelihood of that is. For others' benefit - about as likely as the possibility that I might suddenly sprout wings and fly. Have to agree with you on this one, Adam. The issue is not one of “observing” (if they were truly observing they would have school on the day in question and dedicate the day’s lessons to thematic activities associated with the event – at least that’s what “observing” means in my book). The issue is also what kind of teaching would accompany these new “days off” – and I share your concern that the Muslim activists would want to require not only days off but also explicit instruction in the reason and observance thereof – during regular school house. Instruction not received (or warranted) for other holy days.

Another issue, at least in my mind, is the amount of additional time-off this would require for students who, in many cases, would be better off with more hours in the classroom rather than less. Of course, one could also make a case for more “effective” hours – but then, you read my blog and you know how high I think the likelihood of that is. For others’ benefit – about as likely as the possibility that I might suddenly sprout wings and fly.

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