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Schools Hoping It's No Freaky Friday
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Published: March 21, 2008
Updated: 03/21/2008 12:11 am
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TAMPA - Numbers will tell the story today in Hillsborough County schools - how many buses, students, teachers and other workers show up on Good Friday.
A traditional day off for the district, officials were sent into a tailspin this week as thousands of employees, including teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, clerical staff and nurses, said they will take a personal leave day.
Carlos Lopez, a bus driver for Martinez Middle School in Lutz, said both he and his wife are among them.
"Somebody is brainless or something," said the Puerto Rican native who celebrates Good Friday as "a day you talk to God." He transports exceptional education and regular students and told parents himself that he was not going to be driving today.
"I got little kids in wheelchairs," he said. "I talk to their mommies. Some of them said they are not going to school anyway. One mommy said, 'I'll take him, Mr. Lopez - don't worry about it.'"
Which buses would be running at all and which students they would pick up were questions for many.
An initial list of schools without bus service was at 15 Thursday morning and grew to 19 even with some of the original schools removed. Altogether, the list of more than 80 schools with 369 bus runs cut was also somewhat fluid, officials said.
"We've added additional pockets today" to the list of canceled runs, John Franklin, the district's transportation chief, said Thursday. He said he is hopeful that he can patch any new holes when he arrives at 4:30 a.m. today and learns how many drivers called in.
Letters or notes were supposed to be sent home Thursday with each child affected and a phone call was supposed to be made to the home.
One parent still waiting for a phone call after 7 p.m. was Tammy Turner, whose son attends Shields Middle School, where bus service was canceled. Her son was out sick Thursday so he had no note. His driver told him more than a week ago, however, that there would be no bus transportation to Shields today, she said.
"This information was out there," Turner said, although she said an array of district staff denied they knew anything about it when she called. "They could have gotten information to parents earlier.
"It could have made a difference," Turner said. "Parents could have made an informed decision."
How accurate the information they got Thursday is a question. Turner's husband, Tim, who has been substitute teaching at Lennard High all week, said an announcement was made at the school Thursday of buses canceled and his daughter at Lennard brought home a letter with the list of bus cancellations at school. But Lennard had no buses on the district list.
School staffing numbers also continued to change Thursday, some for the better.
A survey of teachers Tuesday showed 35 out of 57 teachers at Madison Middle School planned to take a leave day. By Thursday, only seven planned to be off, said Lewis Brinson, assistant superintendent for administration.
"We've had teachers come to principals and say they changed their mind," Brinson said. "They thought it was a hardship on the teachers who are going to be there... They were letting their colleagues down."
Just eight district staff who volunteered to help had been recruited by schools as of late Thursday, Brinson said. Three will teach at Blake High, two at Stewart Middle and one at Eisenhower Middle. Two district clerical staff also will help at Eisenhower, where only one of seven clerical staff members planned to be at school today, he said.
As to reports from students and parents that today will be filled with non-academics including movies and a field day, Brinson said that is not the plan. "If I find out there's a field day, that's one school I'm going to visit," Brinson said.
Schools are to be open from 6 a.m to 6 p.m. or until all students leave so that more parents can drive students to and from school.
Schools will provide breakfast and lunch, but menus will vary, said Mary Kate Harrison, the district's general director, student nutrition. At least one person has been assigned to each location with substitutes and staff from other schools filling in, she said.
"It's kind of like when you staff our shelters for hurricanes," she said. "I sent them an e-mail that said, 'Do the best you can.'"
The district will gather data on absences for planning future calendars. In 2008-09, Good Friday falls during spring break, but school board members have said they want a secular calendar that does not recognize religious holidays as such.
One board member, April Griffin, said Thursday that she is hearing both from parents who want the day off and those who don't.
"Good Friday is not a federal holiday," she said. "A lot of people have to work, a lot of people have problems with day care if they don't have the day off. There are two sides to this.
"I'm going to have to collect more than two years' data," Griffin said. "One year's data is not enough for me."
Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( darmonian ) on March 21, 2008 at 1:24 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Our founding fathers allowed for the seperation of church and state to ensure the elite few would not dictate the beliefs of the many. Why then, when 77% of Americans consider themselves Christian, are the few (with loud voices) dictating when my children are required to go to school? All four of my children are staying home.
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Posted by ( dogworld ) on March 21, 2008 at 5:08 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
What elite few? Shouldn't you be talking to God somewhere instead of posting anger on a web site?
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Posted by ( Defiant ) on March 21, 2008 at 6:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
It is clear that school management failed to do their jobs by letting all these teachers and bus drivers have the day off. Not monitoring staffing levels is nothing short of incompetence.
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Posted by ( pvmichaels ) on March 21, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
School board made a mistake and their huge egos won't allow them to change their minds! At our school, an announcement was made everyday about how being absent won't effect your exam excemptions. Basically, we are telling the students not to come.
I took a poll yesterday of my classes, and out of 140, I will have 27 students! It is going to be a 'very productive day'!
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Posted by ( gatorman2k1 ) on March 21, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Another brilliant decision by our "leaders" bowing to the vocal minority. Today will be the farce in the classroom that this decision deserves.
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Posted by ( Sharona ) on March 21, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
My child attends Mann middle in Brandon. I got 5 (FIVE) calls on my cell phone about the fact that there will be school and there will be bus service. We are taking our child to school by car anyway, as I'm not counting on the buses today. I also plan to pick him up, if my boss will let me off early enough. I do think that this should be a wake-up call to the school board to either re-schedule Spring Break to include this day, or to re-evaluate their policies and practices so that not all that many bus drivers and teachers can be off on this day. Also, I fail to see the logic in sending my kid to school for an obviously "free" day with no actual school work being done; their plan is combined classes and movies all day. But if I keep him home, his absence, excused or un-excused, goes on his record, and so far we have perfect attendance. If it weren't for that, I would let my child stay home today. It's such a waste to send them to school for a day where they will do nothing. Harder still is explaining it to the kid that certain grown-ups do not feel a sense of personal responsibility in going to work when expected to be there.
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Posted by ( RobKay ) on March 21, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
If the parents let the school board off the hook on this one, I think they pretty much deserve the lousy education their kids are stuck with. This is just another example of the school board on an ego trip refusing to admit they did anything wrong. Federal holiday - who cares? The stock market is closed, banks will close, the post office will close, but the CIRCLE K'S and QUICK MARTS will be open. Maybe the school board figures with the education they are providing thats the only place their students will be able to get a job so they might as well get used to it! It is time (long overdue) to let the school board know that they were wrong and their error caused problems for everyone involved. Fire them or they will continue their high handed ways.
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Posted by ( realworld ) on March 21, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
It is OK for the school board to say we made a mistake. You try to keep GOD out of schools, and look where it has gotten us so far. We will give the kids off for the fair but not good Friday. I ask what is wrong with this decision.
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Posted by ( Libby ) on March 21, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I work in the school system and came to work today, only because I understnd the need to be here. However my mother whom is a teacher stayed home to take care of my 4 year old whos private daycare is closed. I also allowed my 2nd grader to stay home with her. I felt it was going to be too chaotic for him. For those of you that are wondering, Yes if I were off I would be attending services today. My mother is taking my kids while I am her at work. BTW garbage men have off today.
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Posted by ( dbrown34550 ) on March 21, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The only problem I see with people who say keep GOD out of schools, is that GOD is replaced by some other "god", like money, drugs, and other unhealthy behavior. I say those people who do not like the way our country was founded go find another country, say Saudi Arabia or China, to live in. Let them preach their "Keep God out of schools there" and see what happens. In one place they'll cut your head off on the internet, the other they'll throw you in jail for life. There's nothing wrong with religion - as long as respect is shown to all.
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Posted by ( jameswpope ) on March 21, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
For all you chuckle-heads that keep touting this "Separation of Church and State" garbage have obviously never read anything about our Founders...
Ben Franklin called for a day of prayer after the first three days of the Constitutional Convention failed to accomplish ANYTHING.
The first act of Congress was to purchase Bibles for distribution to the citizens and Native Americans
Washington's Farewell Address has an entire section devoted to the subject of religion and morality and famously states that "national morality cannot prevail absent religious principles"
So, before anyone starts going off about our Founders being athiest, deists or other such liberal garbage, try picking up a BOOK and READING the words of our Founders and Framers for yourself.
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Posted by ( frustratedteacher ) on March 21, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I am a first grade teacher who is sitting in a classroom with 9 out of 20 students present. The class next door has 6 out of 20. The school district should be ashamed of itself!
As a Christian, I will be taking care of my church obligations after school. As a staff, we took a vote and pulled together for our principal. However,we (including the administrative staff) are all in agreement that the district's decision is unfair and ridiculous. I certainly hope the district has learned it's lesson...However, I won't hold my breath.
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Posted by ( djredeye00 ) on March 21, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I am a teacher who is at work today. As we speak I am sitting in my classroom with a total student count of 0. I personally feel it is a waste of money and time for the school board to have kept the schools open knowing that this would be the scenario. In addition it is infuriating that because of their selfish decision to go on with "school as usual" it makes only the teachers look like fools. For those that took off today for their religious beliefs...they make them look selfish and for those of us who came in to NO STUDENTS, NO SUBS, and NO CHANCE, we look lazy because we choose not to teach to an empty classroom. Business can not go on as usual if we are not given the resources and the audience. I hope they rethink their calendars in the future, because I know next time I won't bother to come in either.
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Posted by ( cherrymac ) on March 21, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I am sitting in my classroom with a normal count of 20 and have 6 and two are from another teacher who could not get a sub. Planning day for me.
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Posted by ( aunurse ) on March 21, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
As a citizen of Pinellas County, I find all of this hoopla a little over dramatized. Pinellas County has adhered to a "secular" calendar for as long as I can remember. Good Friday is not a day off unless it falls during spring break as it does occasionally. There are a huge number of absences on that day and the world does not end. If parents want to have their child home for religous or family reasons they simply have to notify the school in advance and it is an excused absence. Hillsborough County opened this can of worms by making a big deal about trying to be politically correct and offend no one, after they offended several groups with the calendar that included some religous days while excluding others. If the school boards in both counties especially Hillsbourough are so concerned about absent bus drivers,teachers and students then just make Good Friday one of the seemingly endless teacher planning days or inservice days and be done with it. In the meantime I will contiue to watch from Pinellas County with amusement.
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Posted by ( Teeg ) on March 21, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is period three in high school, and I have a grand total of 12 that have attended so far today. So sad that this had to happen when it was a problem so easily solved. Unfortunately, the "leaders" of this school district have dug in their heels and refused to admit their mistake. Typical.
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Posted by ( tieyourshoes51 ) on March 21, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Recognize that the state and the theme parks are partially to blame for pushing the opening day of school later in August. Despite not recognizing Jewish and Muslim holidays in the fall, the semester was only 88 days long, compared with 100 this semester. If school opened a week earlier, it would be easy to recognize Yom Kippur (and/or Rosh Hashanah) and Eid along with Good Friday. Of course, that WON'T happen next year, since spring break includes Good Friday, so the board will pass on its responsibility AGAIN. By the way, Spoto had 107 of 1500 students this morning, but that number is dwindling quickly.
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Posted by ( Libby ) on March 21, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I work in a High School in Hillsborough county. The latest count we had was 193 out of almost 2000 students who attended class today. Many of those students are being singned out at I speak
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Posted by ( Teeg ) on March 21, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
You're welcome RunVapid. I came because staying home would have potentially created a hardship for my principal. Our high school only has 6 teachers out today and all 6 of them have substitutes. 200 of about 1100 students have shown up for school. I believe several students are signing out of school because it's such a "boring day."
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Posted by ( jon_boy ) on March 21, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Democracy is not the tyranny of the majority, but the protection of the minority. Keep your religion out of my politics. Thank you.
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Posted by ( kirstentil ) on March 21, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Today is not a federal holiday, banks are open, the stock market is running, the post office is delivering mail. Everyone else is working why are you so special? What the school board should do is schedule spring break the week before Easter so everyone that claims they need to go to church can.
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Posted by ( TTMom ) on March 21, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
We are Christian, and I am at work, and my child is at school. The last time I checked, God wasn't only available during school and work hours.
My son is in first grade, and I walked him in this morning as he was scared he wouldn't have a teacher and wouldn't know what to do. His teacher was there, but at that point my son was the only student. There were only a handful of students in sight at the school when I dropped him off at his regular time, and the faculty parking lot, which usually doesn't have enough room, was only half full. I highly doubt all the "missing" people are attending church services. Like I told my 6 year old, we go to school and work today because they are scheduled days to be there, and that is what responsible people do. We can pray anytime.
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Posted by ( URWHOUCHOOSE2B ) on March 21, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I hope something will be done to address the comments made by school board members, administration, and other members of the community regarding teachers who took today as a personal day. I requested and obtained a sub two months ago and pre-arranged the absence of my children. I am now being told through several media outlets (Tampa Tribune, Bay News 9) that I am "letting my colleagues down." These are the same colleagues I give up at least one conference period a week to cover for when they are "out" at the last minute without a sub. This is my first personal day I have taken this year and only the second day I have missed since I started working for Hillsborough County 2 years ago (the first time I was serving Jury Duty). Why are my religious beliefs and rights any different then anyone else’s? I did not hear about the threats of loosing two personal days or requiring a doctor's note on any other holidays. As a dedicated teacher and member of this community, I am outraged and frustrated by the guilt put on those of us who are doing what people with different beliefs have already done this year.
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Posted by ( dustinhart ) on March 21, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Religion or no religion, holiday or no holiday why is this being discussed now. Why was this not discussed when the 07-08 school calender was published last year? Teachers, drivers and other staff need to unionize and disband their association. Make the dues affordable to all and get together. With a stong contract this would have never happened. It is not productive to have to use personal days to make a statment. This should have been hashed out last year between management and labor. A good strong contract is worth it's weight in gold. Get together and organize teachers!
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Posted by ( altedbaseball ) on March 21, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
As to reports from students and parents that today will be filled with non-academics including movies and a field day, Brinson said that is not the plan. "If I find out there's a field day, that's one school I'm going to visit," Brinson said.
THE ABOVE STATEMENT FROM A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER IN DENIAL.
I'M A TEACHER IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY---
I'M A CHRISTIAN---
I'M A TAXPAYER---
I'M AT WORK---
........... AND I'M NOT, AGAIN NOT, IN DENIAL.
OUR ATTENDING NUMBERS ARE ABOUT 220 OUT OF 2100, I HAVE HAD A TOTAL OF 15 STUDENTS TODAY, AND THIS IS 4TH PERIOD.
THAT IS NOT COUNTING THE "MANY" THAT HAVE SIGNED OUT. COME ON MR. BRINSON, ADMIT THE SCHOOL BOARD'S SHORT SIGHTEDNESS. THIS IS A HUGE WASTE, AND I REPEAT, A HUGE WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY.
ON THE REASON THAT THIS MAY BE MORE OF A PROBLEM IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THAN IT IS FOR PINELLAS IS THAT HILLSBOROUGH IS A MUCH LARGER SCHOOL DISTRICT.
ADVICE TO THE SCHOOL BOARD; "ADMIT YOUR MISTAKE."
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Posted by ( eloquentmind ) on March 21, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Freedom of religion for all should be practiced and respected no matter the numbers. There are many practicing Christians, and there are many people who claim to be Christian. So, some people exercised their religion from a sincere place, and should NOT be judged for being absent. Others took the day off, claiming Christianity, but they are sunning at the beach instead. Parents who allow their children to do this should take a look at themselves instead of judging all teachers and other employees. I know of some senior girls I teach who are all at the beach as we speak. Those people and their families make real Christians look bad.
The school board should have taken this into consideration. Good Friday should be a holiday in schools for several reasons. MANY real Christians take it off because IT IS one of their holiest days. Fake Christians will jump ship because they can and lack real values. After that, everyone else goes too... since they think it's okay. Don't point the blame at teachers or real Christians. We should be disgusted by the school board and the people who took it off just because they can. It looks like other religions are much more protected when they exercise their rights, but Christians are being ridiculed for this one. It really is absurd.
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Posted by ( teacherteacher ) on March 21, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I have a grand total of 4 students here today. They are enjoying the nice quiet non instructional day......
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Posted by ( VacaGrande ) on March 21, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
TTmom - thank you.
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Posted by ( politicalmike ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
LOL, it's funny some of you think this is some kind of national holiday and then you will got to Target, McDonald's, and Blockbuster and expect people who work in those establishments and serve you.
The hypocrisy of people in the educational system is laughable. I just came back from the bank and Walgreens, they all somehow managed to show up to work.
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Posted by ( lauriem ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Maybe I'm old school, but isn't this a waste of taxpayers money, having to pay temporary staff, when anyone w/half a brain knows that having school on Good Friday is going to do nothing but pacify those few that are offended by a religious holiday, and force others to choose between their religion and their employment? Even if those that are criticizing said religious holidays, surely they could use the critical thinking side of their brain, seeing as they obvious like going to the left, and realize what a waste of money and people's time it is to have the schools open today? Religion, Christian or otherwise, should be acknowledged by all, even if you don't agree, because obviously the answer is NOT acknowledging it at all. It will save a lot of heart ache in the end. These are fundamental beliefs that many people hold near and dear to their hearts and the government is only going to stir up a hornets nest by trying to eradicate it. Ever heard the saying, "Keep the Peace"?
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Posted by ( StormVet90 ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I would like to thank all the educators, teachers, bus drivers, school personnel, etc who did NOT show up today. This is a very important day for Christians and should remain so. I am sick of having to give up all of MY beliefs just so that "others" won't be offended. My child can't bring a Bible to school, she can't pray in school, she can't pray before a sports event or at a school graduation because "others" feel offended. Really? Really? And don't give me the whole "separation of church and state" arguement because the fact is it DOESN'T EXIST! You can search the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution and it's NOT there. It WAS and IS only a comment/idea that was written in a letter from one of our Founding Fathers to another about his personal beliefs. It is NOT a law in this land and never has been regardless of what some might think. This country was FOUNDED as a Christian country and if you don't know that then you don't know your history. But that doesn't surprise me because I have seen from my daughter's homework what is being taught as history these days and it is pathetic. No wonder so many people are anti-American...they don't even know what America is! Our so called "government" took God out of the schools and look what has taken His place: school shootings, teacher/student sex scandals, drug use on the rise, increasing drop-out rate and teen pregnancy. Not to mention the idiot teachers who spew their liberal, anti-American, anti-government, anti-God points of view and brainwash these young kids. Yeah, great idea!! So to all of you that took today off to attend services, take some time to honor God or to just make a point...Thank you for your courage and your sacrifice!!!
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Posted by ( dogworld ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Reality intervenes. Too bad a religious group can force their observances on everybody, cost so much money in a lost day of school and flout the rest of us. I thought Sunday was the holiday, not Friday.
When I was in the work force people used to take three hours off in the afternoon to observe this holiday. I suppose now all these Christians are NOT shopping? They are ALL in some church observing a rite?
Being forced to go through this ridiculous thing when there are so many other days that the schools are closed doesn't make sense.
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Posted by ( circusstorm ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is another attempt by the Liberal Teachers Union to tow the line for the Democrats in reducing the importance of a large voting block of Gentle people... When your goal is Absolute Power... You can not recognize any other higher authority than your own...
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Posted by ( mishymale ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
it just aint america anymore !!!!
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Posted by ( s_adair ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I sure do hope you are not serious about comparing those at a job asking if I want fries with that or scan an item over a conveyor belt are anywhere in the same category as those responsible for inspiring and educating our nation's children. I have worked in a bank and no one there punched me or threatened to kill me or threw a desk at me. The military has hazard pay -- so should today's teachers. And no other profession sees a greater need on a day to day basis to pray to God than today's teachers. Thank you to all of them -- to those that went to work and for those that did not. Without you I would not have the job I do today -- and thank you that it is not at McDonalds or WalMart.
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Posted by ( Pointless26 ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Wow! We have had a very productive day. I think the kids really enjoyed the coloring contest, egg hunt, and extended outdoor playtime. Thank you for all those movies that were played on closed circuit! I am so glad that we worked today and so many children showed up. It was definitely worth every penny that the school district paid.
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Posted by ( Budbkind2u ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Today is such a waste of tax dollars, we have teachers in classes with few or no students. The school board realy f'ed this one up.
There is nothen they could do that would make everyone happy.
They could however make it fare. how?
They could have holidays for each and every religion
or
They could have no religious holidays.
neither one would make everyone happy, but either one would also make it so no one religion is put above another.
Thats what our founders realy wanted.
they wanted you to be treated the same way, no matter what/who you belived in!
To the teachers who did go to work, THANK YOU!
To the teachers who took the day off, THANK YOU!
To ALL teachers, THANK YOU!! teachers are one of the most over looked groups of people, your job IS what makes ALL of our lives better!
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Posted by ( MyNameIsJob ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:31 a.m.
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Posted by ( SpanishInquisition ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
jon boy: Democracy absolutely IS "tyranny" of the majority! That is exactly how it is supposed to be. We are not a true democracy, but rather a Constitutional Republic, therefore "protecting" the minority.
The problem here is not that the school district failed to recognized Good Friday as a religious event, but rather their inability to recognize it as important to their human resources. A majority of people, publicly or privately employed, do not live their live for the job. Work to live, not live to work.
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Posted by ( Teeg ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
StormVet90... Got anger? I am so sorry that someone in your past has let you down. Also, your daughter can pray any time she wants to pray, as long as a teacher or principal is not leading the prayer or requiring the students to participate. Ignorance breeds ignorance. Perhaps you need to return to school yourself for a much needed social studies lesson.
circusstorm...got a reference?
Most teachers in Florida are not members of unions because the unions are virtually powerless. This is a right to work state. The teachers get what the districts are willing to give and not a penny more. I believe there is room in that social studies class for you too.
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Posted by ( JailBadJudges ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is a no-brainer. If a majority of your school employees and students celebrate a certain holiday, it makes no sense to stay open. There's no reason they couldn't schedule spring break this week. I went to a school that closed for both Yom Kippur and Good Friday, and no one from other faiths objected. It's just plain common sense.
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Posted by ( circusstorm ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Teeg... While you and your Party (D) continue your efforts to embrace Homosexuals and Pedophiles the rest of us will be celebrating Good Friday....
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Posted by ( MyNameIsJob ) on March 21, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
this is complete garbage. Try to put up an educated response, none whatsover offensive, nor vulgar, nor threatening and it gets deleted. TBO.com you are beginning to step over the line with comments that you delete, continue with this type of censorship and I hope you have record subscription cancellations for the year. I know i'm cancelling mine today. Delete that.
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Posted by ( sparkle24 ) on March 21, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
You know.. as a teacher, I personally knew that most students would not be here. We all did since it was so overdramatized on the news.. "No teachers.." "The children will not be fed.." Come on!!! I personally planned a lesson that would be an extentsion of yesterday - so don't you worry my students are still learning!
If teachers took the day off, more power to them. I personally did not see the need to as God will still listen to my worship when I get out of school today. It is a personal choice - and I don't really understand why everyone is in an uproar. I think that the biggest problem for people (parents) was that it was going to hinder them from being able to stop at Starbucks on their way to work. Instead they have to actually play a parent for the 20 minutes it was going to take them to drop off their students. In those 20 minutes you spent with them, I hope you at least told them you loved them! Before everyone starts with "the taxpayers pay for this","its not fair I have to worry about how my kid is getting to school" I'm sorry but like so many people always says - Life is just not fair sometimes. It is okay.. schools are functioning,and the kids will be fed.
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Posted by ( details2me ) on March 21, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I hope you will all write the school board and voice your opinion as did I. My Children do not even live in Hills. Cty. My cty made the right choice and left tradition alone. Even though this is a religous holiday it is a choice how you chose to spend it. But to take away what our country was founded on " One nation under God" is wrong. That being said our country was also founded to give us reliogious freedom. And when the minority religous groups have holiday's that are not school holiday's those employee's/Students that celebrate said holiday's should be excused. And personally I think a moment of silence should be put back in place to do with as one pleases. My children will pray. Those who do not can reflect or daydream quietly! It is about freedom. Don't take it away !
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Posted by ( AHSStudent2010 ) on March 21, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I am a high school student in Hillsborough county. I took today off. I am not a Christian. The administration at my school announced several times that an excused absence today would not affect exam exemptions, which to many, myself included, screamed "Dont bother showing up, it doesnt matter to us." I have two friends who went to school today, one who wanted to because he knew none of the teachers were going to do anything, and wanted to see the school empty, and the other, who would not have gone had his Muslim parents not refused to call in for him.
I recently talked to one of those friends during his lunch time at school. In a lunch period that usually includes around 1500 students, he counted FOUR in the cafeteria.
Teachers throughout this week knew that students wouldnt be at school, and some even encouraged students to not show up. My bus driver was working, and my bus stop was not cancelled, but after the driver took a survey yesterday, there were about 7 students on the bus who were going to be on it today.
The bottom line is, even though in my opinion, they made a mistake leaving schools open today, I dont think they handled the situation well. They practically gave an open invitation to students to not show up. May 2nd is going to be a "Non teacher/student" day where were going to be off, it would have been a better idea to just cancel school today and open school on that day.
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Posted by ( dogworld ) on March 21, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
details2me -- This country was not founded "under God." That phrase was added back in the 50's. It was not founded on religious freedom either, it was founded because England was taxing the colonies unfairly.
This idea that Christians have that this is a "Christian country" is a lie started by Evangelicals.
You have a right to exercise your religion under the Freedom of Speech amendment. There is nowhere that god is mentioned in either the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution.
Your ignorance of your own country shows that you should NOT be taking time off from school.
The schools should demand that anyone taking this time off for religious reasons should provide proof they are taking the time to worship, not go to the beach. They are making a mockery of religion and the education system by allowing their kids to cut class to go out and play while our tax dollars are being used to keep the schools open wastefully.
They are insulting both their own God and the schools.
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Posted by ( hutsonlm ) on March 21, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
right on dystinhart, altedbaseball and TTMom
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Posted by ( frustratedteacher ) on March 21, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Thanks RunVapid. At current count, I'm down to 7. NOTHING productive has occured today...Just a babysitting service.
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Posted by ( Dedra ) on March 21, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
When the Hillsborough County administrators established the 2007-08 school year calendar to include a regular school day on Good Friday instead of the traditional “teacher planning/professional day” they did so fully aware of the potential outcome. Lets face it, the truth is this situation has occurred before in Hillsborough County and the administration knew very well what the outcome would be. What is the REAL reason for the school district to publically display their ineptness? Was it to invoke sympathy from the community? Was it to appease a minority? Was it an opportunity to demonstrate the school systems ability to “manage in a crisis”? Is it a ploy to solicit more funding? Unfortunately, whatever the reason, Hillsborough County again has pitted teacher against teacher, ranked schools and decided “who will have transportation” and “who will not” and deflated the moral of their entire work force. It was a waste of funds and resources for the District to open all schools for less than 10% of the student body. Whatever the underlying goal, the price the District will have to pay for this county wide fiasco will be too much.
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Posted by ( altedbaseball ) on March 21, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
we do teach............
see blogger, "ahsstudent2010"
if he/she can figure it out, and he/she is only a sophomore, wow, IMAGINE THAT STUDENT'S INTELLIGENCE AS A SENIOR.
perhaps we should start voting "teenagers" to the school board, they could not do any worse.
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Posted by ( altedbaseball ) on March 21, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
dedra.............
would you marry me??????
anyone with sooooooooo much sense is deserving of ME; (lol).
well put.
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Posted by ( mommy2eandl ) on March 21, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I know I will get blasted for this but WTH....
It is not a federal holiday today. Banks are open and the Mailman just delivered the mail to my office. My daughter is in school and taking math and spelling tests today and having an egg hunt in her classroom. My son's day-care owner, however, decided to close for her own personal (she needed to start cooking her Easter Sunday dinner) and religious reasons. But, she did take my money for NOT being there to care for my son while I had to pay another person to actually care for him.
Many folks have posted that they plan to go to church when school is over and I commend you. You know the importance of being in the schools for the children (or parents of children) who feel it’s important to be there today.
It seems to me that most people and businesses find Easter Sunday to be more important than Good Friday so I really can't understand the big hoopla of it all.
And for all of those convenient Christians, stop making excuses and get real! I admit that I am a convenient Jew when it comes to Hanukkah but you better believe my children are in school during Passover and Rosh Hashanah.
I remember, years ago, that spring break started on Good Friday and lasted until the Friday after Easter. What happened to that time frame?
The best way to solve this problem…. Schedule spring break to be the same week as Good Friday. It’s as simple as that!
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Posted by ( mwhite6 ) on March 21, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Dogworld - these are excerpts from the first two sentences of the Declaration of Independence:
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them...
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights...
God is mentioned - both as God and as "Creator". Just keeping it real. Personally, I'm agnostic.
I agree with separation of church and state. I agree that public school is a state-sponsored institution that shouldn't favor one religion over another.
What I find interesting about this is how challenging it seems to be to maintain, given the overwhelming majority of christians. In this case, it seems that we can't separate church from state, for very practical reasons (i.e. so few would actually attend that schools virtually close anyway).
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Posted by ( StormVet90 ) on March 21, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Teeg-why don't you enlighten me with your Social Studies intellect? That name alone should tell you where the history teaching in this country has gone...we now have "social studies" another liberal idea. Go ask your average high school kid how many branches of gov't we have in this country and what their function is...better yet ask an average adult on the street!! How is it that we can believe in this country that we LOST the Vietnam War when we NEVER lost a single battle? The liberal media that's how. Here is a thought: try educating yourself with the facts and you'll be amazed at the lies that we have been told over the years...amazed!!
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Posted by ( dogworld ) on March 21, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Thanks mwhite6, I stand corrected. But it was not founded as a nation Under God. Most of the Founders were agnostic. They all accepted a Universal Providence (Franklin's words) but had a lot of strong issues against Christianity -- especially the dictatorial kind practiced by Cotton Mather and his son.
StormVet90 why is social studies a liberal thing and recent? I am 67 and was studying it during the Eisenhower years and the textbooks were old then. I also was there when we lost in Vietnam. Where did you get the idea we won? In case you haven't noticed Vietnam is a Communist country.
"Here is a thought: try educating yourself with the facts" (your words.
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Posted by ( dogworld ) on March 21, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
"Religion, Christian or otherwise, should be acknowledged by all, even if you don't agree,"
When these religions acknowledge atheist and agnostic beliefs as worthy or respect then you can speak honestly.
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Posted by ( lauriem ) on March 21, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm loving all of the intelligent rebuttals......
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Posted by ( StormVet90 ) on March 21, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Teeg-lesson for today: (On the Tet Offensive)General Tran Do, PAVN commander at the battle of Hue, gave some insight into how defeat was translated into victory:
"In all honesty, we didn't achieve our main objective, which was to spur uprisings throughout the South. Still, we inflicted heavy casualties on the Americans and their puppets, and this was a big gain for us. As for making an impact in the United States, it had not been our intention - but it turned out to be a fortunate result."
In other words: We lost, but because of the media and the way that the ant-war sympathizers are spinning this in America...we will win. Vietnam is communist because we didn't have the stomach to finish the fight. Sound familiar? Liberals NEVER learn. So what is there were 14 milion people killed in South Vietnam after we pulled out...so what...the people are better off today, right? Just insert Iraq where it says Vietam and you'll get an idea of the future if we pull out before the fight is over. "Those that do not learn from history are destined to repeat it."
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Posted by ( keldonhart ) on March 21, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I personally had today off as my employer includes this day as one our paid holidays. I kept my son home today partly because of the media coverage and partly because I wanted to spend the day with him! I felt as though today was going to be chaotic with no set lesson plan and opted to take this opportunity to spend some quality time with my child instead. As for the religious aspect. I feel our schools should educate our children on all religions and evolution. Knowledge in its ever expanding energy is what will make this a peaceful world. Which unfortunately from reading the comments posted on these TBO articles daily, is all to clear that we as humans have alot more to learn!
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Posted by ( altedbaseball ) on March 21, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
well,
my contribution to YOUR child is almost over.
.......... and i have NOT changed my mind; it's a HUGE waste of taxpayer's money.
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Posted by ( StormVet90 ) on March 21, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Myth: The United States lost the war in Vietnam.
The American military was not defeated in Vietnam. The American military did not lose a battle of any consequence. From a military standpoint, it was almost an unprecedented performance. (Westmoreland quoting Douglas Pike, a professor at the University of California, Berkley a renowned expert on the Vietnam War) [Westmoreland] This included Tet 68, which was a major military defeat for the VC and NVA.
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Posted by ( StormVet90 ) on March 21, 2008 at 3 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Teeg-Just another quick lesson for you...last one I promise.
On the 1994 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) American history test, "36 percent of fourth-graders scored below basic; only two percent were advanced. By eighth grade, 39 percent were below basic and only one percent advanced. For seniors, a depressing 57 percent were below basic, with one per-cent advanced" (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1995, p. C16). As just one example of factual illiteracy, fewer than one out of three fourth-graders could identify New York as one of the original thirteen colonies, as opposed to Illinois, California, and Texas. Summarizing the results, Lewis Lapham (1995) wrote that the test results "can be read as a coroner's report. . . . [They] returned a finding of mortal ignorance. More than 50 percent of all high school seniors were unaware of the Cold War. Nearly six in 10 were bereft of even a primitive understanding of where America came from" (p. A15).
Like I said they are no longer teaching History and "social studies" has done a great job in it's place.
Here endeth the lesson...
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Posted by ( StormVet90 ) on March 21, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
dogworld-feel free to read my previous posts to Teeg as it is clear you are both in need of some "factual" knowledge.
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Posted by ( StormVet90 ) on March 21, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
dogworld-just some more of those nasty little things we call facts:
John Adams:
“ The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity… I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
• “[July 4th] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
–John Adams in a letter written to Abigail on the day the Declaration was approved by Congress
“ He who made all men hath made the truths necessary to human happiness obvious to all… Our forefathers opened the Bible to all.” [ "American Independence," August 1, 1776. Speech delivered at the State House in Philadelphia-Samuel Adams]
“It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” [May 1765 Speech to the House of Burgesses-Patrick Henry]
"I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus." -Thomas Jefferson
So....still think America was not founded as a Christian nation?
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Posted by ( MyNameIsJob ) on March 21, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
StormVet90, if we stayed out of vietnam things would have stayed the same for them and 14 million people wouldn't have been slaughtered. It was a waste of time and life, they got smarter, that's why we haven't tried to take over..I mean liberate Burma.
Im no Liberal but you throw that around like they whine about everything. I've seen some republicans whining about everything from having illegals working in strawberry fields, however if asked if they would work that job you get excuses of how little the pay is and its usually regarded as a garbage job..Then you have the war, are we there to liberate people or make Cheney and Bush money? Haliburton ring a bell? Or vulgarity, republicans love to cry about that but how many pictures have we seen of our commander and chief giving the camera the bird like a small child?
Bottom line is I can't find a political party or anything thats worth its salt, I see things in black and white, easy as that. It is what it is.
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Posted by ( Teeg ) on March 21, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
StormVet90, you are so out of touch with reality that I don't know why I am even bothering. First of all, how would you know which political party I support? You happen to be wrong on that one. Second of all, why are you preaching to me about Vietnam? I never brought it up and don't really care if you think we won or lost. Third, Social Studies is a blanket term for an educational department encompassing history, geography, political science, economics, civics, etc. Before you start quoting statistics on what children know, I suggest you get your facts straight. You have no clue what goes on in our schools. Obviously you are just another "education hater" who loves to run it down but not willing to do anything to contribute to making it better. I am truly sorry as you have obviously had a traumatic early education to make you so bitter and ugly. I will pray for you at church tonight.
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Posted by ( G23 ) on March 21, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I would love to see some numbers on how much this day cost us. No matter what you want to say there was more non attendance all around today than any other religous holiday where school is in session. It is fiscally sound for the School board to let this be an example of that this day should be considered a day off. The fuel that half empty buses burned, the electricity, etc is almost criminal. Mary Ellen really needs to get a clue about the teachers in Hills county. I still can't believe these people, like her, pulling in BONUSES larger then most teachers' annual salalry. Something to remember when they cut from school programs from a lack of funding.
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Posted by ( StormVet90 ) on March 21, 2008 at 6:48 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Teeg-It's because I AM involved with my children's education that I am concerned. I do not hate education...when it educates. What I hate is that schools are spending MY tax dollars on things OTHER than educating our kids. Have you looked at the National Education rankings lately? Do you know where Florida ranks? Do some homework for yourself but I will give you a little hint: it's not in the top 40. If that's what you call a quality education than we will NEVER see eye to eye. To me that is a huge waste of money. I spend more time educating and deprogramming my kids than their own teachers do and I work full time as well. Don't get me wrong, there are some great teachers here because I have met them but there are also some that can't pass a 10th grade proficiency test and they are teaching my kids? If you only knew how many times I have had to "correct" teachers on spelling, history, politics, etc. It would make your head spin. Heck, at this rate I should BECOME a teacher. LOL!! And by the way, as far as political parties are concerned, I never claimed to know WHAT political party you were a part of. I said LIBERAL...that is an ideology not a political party. The skill to realize that is called reading comprehension.
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Posted by ( A1florida17 ) on March 21, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
So, let me get this straight, the school board gives students and teachers off for a "Fair Day" in February, but not a religious day that over 70% of the school population observe.
Shame on you! Tired of the PC crap
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Posted by ( niry ) on March 21, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I can't believe that the schools were closed for a "Fair Day" and yet open on Good Friday! What values are you teaching our kids? Oh, and let's not give importance to our veterans who have died protecting our freedom. What is more important a day at the fair(which the kids can go on a weekend) or honoring our veterans and spending a day in prayer and observance of our Christian beliefs? And you wonder why there is so many violence within our school systems.
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Posted by ( ariana ) on March 21, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
HA!!! To the school board member who said that today was not going to be a field day for the few students who showed up - are you on another planet?? At Gaither High School the 3 lunch periods were combined into one lunch for the 200 students who showed up and then the other two hours were spent in the gym watching movies set up by administration.
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Posted by ( tampateacher ) on March 21, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
altedbaseball - Mr. Brinson is not a member of the school board, those are elected officials. He is a member of the Superintendant's staff, a hired position.
URWHOUCHOOSE2B - You took the day off for your religious beliefs? Those religious beliefs include posting comments on the Internet?
For the teachers posting on here during school time and using district resources -- there wasn't one child in your room that could benefit from your time and expertise while you're posting on TBO?
We have all heard that HS teachers don't have enough time in their paid day now that they teach the "extra" class, but several HS teachers are posting on here during the instructional day. There were no papers to grade, phone calls to return, grades to post or a student who could benefit from your assistance, instruction, remediation or enrichment?
Being at ROSSAC I am referred to in blogs as a "potted plant". However in my paid day today, I didn't log into TBO.
I am a Christian, I will be in church for a Sonrise service on Sunday. I felt if I were not spending the day in prayer, worship or meditation that I didn't need to take the day off. I don't think Christ intended this to be a day to stay home and watch TV or go shopping when He was on the Cross. Just my thoughts.
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Posted by ( Pagan101 ) on March 22, 2008 at 12:45 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm personally delighted to see that so many people stayed home in preparation of the Vernal Equinox today. Even though the date and name of this fine celebration was changed, by a religious organization, to assist us in converting with as little discomfort as possible. It's still a fine celebration and good enough reason to stay home and paint Easter eggs in spring colors representing the sun to give as gifts, visit the Easter bunny who symbolizes fertility in the new spring and get ready for the big feast on Sunday to welcome in the spring like we did back before Christianity was ever thought up. I assume this is what happened anyway, a return to sanity, because I drove by several empty church parking lots with churches that appeared closed today. Either way, Happy Eastre,”Goddess of spring and fertility", to all. For those who had to work or attend school today, I’m sorry. That’s not what our Pagan ancestors intended for us when they invented this Holiday. But hey, at least Sunday you can celebrate in all your gluttonous glory like a fun spirited pagan should, and did. I know I will.
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