Don't take me wrong, I am not saying that Martin Luther wasn't a remarkable men, that is not why I am asking this.
Today at lunch I ask my daughter what day is today, she says I don't know, then it take me a second...wait, you should know this!
Not only you have learn about this for many years but you are also getting a day off school, the least thing you can do is to know why!
she think for a second and THEN she gives me the speech of who is and why we celebrate. (which she knew)
Still, got me thinking, we are not doing nothing special, and if it wasn't because I needed to know the date we probably wouldn't bring the conversation to the table.
I keep thinking, why they are off school, instead of being at school even for half day and dedicate the date to talk about what is important about that day (not only talking about Martin Luther King, but all other holidays where kids get off school).
Is the day off mean for them to go home and what?
The best I can think is that for each family some holidays mean more then others and some families look forward to get this day and do something with your kids about it? But then grown ups don't get the day off so kids any ways are in a day care.
Or perhaps I should be shame for not using this extra hours with my kids and dedicate them to do something about the holiday?
Again, this is not really about if we should celebrate a holiday or not, but more like what is the idea to have the kids out of school, unless schools give them some kind of special work to do in this day to really got them thinking about that holiday, but so far, it has never being the case on my daughter schools.
My daughter is on 8th grade, they didn't nothing special during the week, I guess because they are older or just this new school?
They did talk about it at school but barely, it is a good school, even better then the privet she use to go (academically) not sure why they didn't went to deep, I am guessing because they get older? But I can think in other ways to learn for teens (I mean not coloring or things like they use to in elementary school).
What I mean about day care is that most of the people I know including my husband don't get the day off (unless they work for the government I think) so in that case if school is close and you don't work for the government you have to find a place to put your kids while you work, right?
Because it is a state holiday, schools are closed. Kids don't have off because they should be doing anything special but rather so the teachers and admistrators can be off since it is a state holiday. The rest of the workforce (non-state or other government agencies) have to work. Some daycares are closed and others aren't. Schools and daycares teach about MLK leading up to the holiday...same with other holidays.
It's just like President's Day, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, etc. You get the day off because it's a holiday. Whether you choose to acknowledge the reason behind the holiday is up to you.
My daughter was in school today and they have been learning about MLK. She is in kindergarten and in private school (the public schools had off today). I would think that all schools would be teaching the kids who he was and what he had done. It is a part of American History.
Honoring MLK Jr is important. Dallas has the largest MLK Jr parade and many other activities. Many families want to attend these events. To me it makes more sense to have this day off rather than President's Day, when it seems all we have for that is "sales."
Honestly, I do not understand it either - I rather they be in school learning and having a day dedicated to tolerence instead of just talking about it when it seems appropriate.
What a day for this to come to mind =\
My daughter (Kindergarten) was asked in school who Martin Luther King was and she shared with the class...because we taught her.
If she doesn't know or remember, then perhaps you should do more for her to realize the many changes he made for all of us.
because it's a federal holiday and school employees get the day off.
Same reason why we don't get mail today. And it's a day off for the military, and other federal employees.
It's a federal holiday. Of course they get the day off. And grown-ups typically DO get the day off, so I'm not sure what you mean about day care for today (actually most daycare is closed today as well). *** by typically, I mean Mon-Fri jobs with weekends off. Emergency workers, retail, food service etc., don't get a "typical" holiday schedule for any holiday.***
If your issue is that they are spending the day without thinking about the reason, that falls to parents. No one can force your children to OBSERVE the holiday... it's not the school's job to make sure your daughter knows why she got the day off any more than it is your employers job to make sure you know why you have the day off.
Our schools did MLK programs at all grade levels last week. We put a huge emphasis on this holiday and the kids know exactly who MLK was and why they have today off- to honor this man and what he did.
I'm pretty confident that the majority of schools across the nation did the same thing... hope so anyway!
So your daughter DID learn about ML KING Jr at school last week? or didnt?
a good school will teach about the meaning behind honoring his birthday, not every school is good.
I thought it was a state holiday and so therefore schools follow the state protocol. If your job is not from a state job, I believe it still is like any other day. I am thankful for the 3 day weekend any chance we get. :0)
I believe it is out of respect of the country and state enforced we get it off. I think it is all up the families on whether or not to take the opprotunity to engage on the meaning of these holidays, but as for our school.......they do a lot to educate the kids on the holiday.
I don't know if that helps, sorry.
My kids went to school today.
I know my kids learned about MLK last week and today my prek brought home some more pictures that he colored and a small story about him.
We do have school today. From what I understand its up to the school district itself to determine if they have off or not.
Well, kids and some workplaces get the day off because the day has been declared a holiday to celebrate, acknowledge, honor Martin Luther King. What individual families choose to do with that day off is up to them.
You don't mention how old your daughter is...My kids' school started talking about MLK in kindergarten and each year they have elaborated more on his work, what he stood for, his message to others and what was going on in the country to precipitate all of it.
My kids do not have the day off because it is MLK but because they pronounced it a "teacher work day" So the teachers still have to report, but the kids get off.
My SIL's kids in a different city but same state, do not have the day off.
I don't think its a required day off for all schools.
FYI: My kids came home with paperwork on MLK and have every year. I even asked my little 1st grader the other day when I saw the paperwork who MLK was and why he is so special. She gave me a great answer. So, my kids do/did learn about MLK.
I guess it depends on where you live, but my 3 and 5 year olds both know about MLK and why they were off. It's also an off day for their teachers and school workers. We live about a mile from the MLK National Park, birthplace and tomb, so it's a big deal here! Many people see it as a "day on" meaning they and their children volunteer with charities on this day. If it wasn't a day off here, there would probably be a riot!
My daughter is in 11th grade and they MLK was discussed heavily in PA History classes last week. I substitute teach at the elementary and ALL the children had some sort of study lesson on MLK.
I am glad we ended up with the day off because my daughter is under the weather and can't afford to miss school. She has all AP classes, cheer and is gearing up for cheer competition so her week is nonstop beginning at 7am tomorrow. She works hard to maintain her great grades and manage her time on the cheer squad.
Well my kids' (California, public) school DID teach them about MLK, even from a very early age, so yes they "get" the holiday.
It's just like President's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, etc. Our government has chosen to honor these days, and it's up to individuals to decide whether or not they want to do anything special to celebrate or commemorate these people and their accomplishments, or not.
Also, plenty of people have to work on Christmas,Thanksgiving, etc. there is no such thing as a day off for everyone, childcare is ALWAYS needed, 24/7 :)
I think it is because they have to go for a number of days and they dont have to go more days then that for the year. So they get holidays off, like the banks. I bet the teachers take work home and catch up.
Well, my kids were well educated about Martin Luther King, Jr. and they knew why they had the day off.
They also understood there were no banks open and no mail.
What they didn't understand is how come Mommy had to work when other people didn't.
I don't want to down my job because I'm thankful for it, but we don't observe any of these holidays. We don't get the day off. We don't get paid extra for being at work. In the healthcare business, in many instances, it's just another day.
We had several local gatherings in rememberance, but I wasn't able to attend as I was working.
I'm just glad that my kids are older and they do understand the meaning behind the holiday.
Most schools factor in the number of required days and adjust for days like this to be taken off without actually missing any school.
President week is another killer. The kids are out for an entire week nowadays for Washington and Lincoln. Times have certainly changed since I was a kid.
:)
I agree with you! So many children don't care about the reason they get a day off of school they just care they don't have to go. And to Thea, unless you are a government worker you don't "typically" get today off. If you work in a hospital or a doctors office you have to work. Retail jobs, grocery stores, restaurants etc are still open. I think that the kids should have to go to school on these federal "holidays" and learn about who/what/why they should be honoring, not sitting at home on their X-box or I-phones!
