I was wrong. Some districts will open on MLK day.
A rash of snow days has led two north Georgia counties to hold classes Monday, MLK Day.
In an earlier blog, I expressed doubt that school districts in Georgia would use Monday, the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday, as a makeup day for this week’s snow and ice closings. But at least two districts have decided to do so.
The districts say that they had no choice. Both are in north Georgia, which suffered snow days earlier this year in addition to the five this week.
According to a story in the AJC:
A decision by two Georgia counties to use the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to make up a snow day has infuriated civil rights leaders, who say the districts are insulting the civil rights icon in his home state.
Fannin and Gilmer counties in north Georgia are calling students to class on the federal holiday after school was wiped out for the week because of the epic snowstorm that paralyzed the state.
The superintendents from the districts said they had little choice to start making up for nine days missed because of the foul winter weather this school year. But civil rights leaders said the decision was an insult to King and shows disrespect for the holiday in his name.
“It’s an opportunity for people, black and white, to reflect on what King’s dream meant for blacks and whites,” said Georgia State Conference NAACP President Edward DuBose. “And it’s humiliating to hear that school districts want to take a snow day rather than to honor Dr. King’s legacy.”
The snowstorm forced school officials throughout the state to make tough decisions. Ice as thick as an inch-and-a-half that coated north Georgia roads forced many school administrators to cancel classes for the entire week, as they worried buses would slide on hilly roads.
Gilmer County schools superintendent Bryan Dorsey said his administrative team will “be sensitive” to the fact that his district’s 4,000 students will be returning to class on Monday, though he said he wasn’t sure yet whether teachers would give lessons on King.
“It’s not our intention to try to remove holidays, but unfortunately, in these circumstances, we have very limited options,” said Dorsey, who added that the district hasn’t received any complaints about the move.
“Mostly what we have gotten is ‘Thank goodness you’re taking our children back.’ Cabin fever has set in,” Dorsey said.
Fannin County schools superintendent Mark Henson said the wintry weather has wreaked havoc on the district’s calendar.
“Changing our school calendar is never easy for us, and we regret that we have had to make this decision,” he said in an e-mail. “But we believe that it is in the best interest of our students to be in school as much as possible so that they can be successful in life.”
The two counties are both in extreme north Georgia and both have populations that are more than 90 percent white.
And while the vast majority of Georgia school districts are not holding classes on Monday, the issue has cropped up in other states as well. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools decided to also hold classes on Monday, prompting criticism from the local NAACP chapter and a city councilman.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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270 comments Add your comment
PLC
January 14th, 2011
12:10 am
I guess all the other major school districts are disrespecting the presidents by cancelling that holiday too. Uh oh.
I wish we were having class on Monday – it doesn’t make sense to make up the days at the end of the school year after all the major tests are done. Why not make it a learning experience and focus lessons on MLK instead? Wouldn’t it be better to pass on his legacy rather than go skiing like most people do? I don’t know about you all, but I’ve seen enough snow for now, thanks.
whatever
January 14th, 2011
12:39 am
Ya know, I don’t think Martin would be saying these kids need a day off to remember him. He would be saying “get those kids back in school”. I can’t believe all he posturing about this subject. One representative said GA doesn’t truly value King.
And Mr. DuBose – How does going to school on King’s birthday humiliate Dr, King. Now if the majority of those who truly celebrate the holiday as it is intended as a day of reflection and in service to others want to keep up the traditions, it’s worth a day of absence to them. But c’mon folks how many of these “so called” in service to others folks are there really? I don’t recall seeing a lot of commmunity service projects happening out there on this day. It’s already become just another day off work/school for most of us.
Deb
January 14th, 2011
1:12 am
In Forsyth County they are (so far) keeping Monday a holiday for the students but the teachers are being called to report.
jim
January 14th, 2011
1:55 am
i think dr. king would understand and be the first to say that the education of our youth is important enough to come first and take priority over everything else since it is the road out of ignorance and poverty that will advance the poor and underprivileged to a better life.
Ole Guy
January 14th, 2011
3:23 am
DuBose, you’re an idiot. I am going to step completely out of the box of political correctness and suggest that you shut up, go sit in a corner and stuff your cheeks with Moon Pies and RC Cola.
I am no where near what some would label a racist, but your assinine comments beg for the worse type of retort. You, sir, by your ridiculous comments, clearly demonstrate your complete and utter void in common sense. When organizations, such as the one you represent, see fit to appoint folks with the mindset you have demonstrated through your knee jerk comment, one must question the true viability of what your organization purportedly stands for. You, sir, have set back, to unimaginable levels, the ideals for which your organization supposedly strives in race relations, and, particularly, in taking anything coming from your organization seriously.
I am quite sure your membership, if they realy think about it, will join me in recommending your immediate removal from your “leadership” post.
Sam
January 14th, 2011
3:34 am
Makes sense to me, and I’d bet most people without a need to constantly come up with new ways to be insulted and play the role of a victim would agree as well.
WINK
January 14th, 2011
4:46 am
Dang…I was going to spend MLK, Jr Day watching “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”.
Bob
January 14th, 2011
5:38 am
Do these race hustlers EVER stop? My goodness, I am so very tired of this. I swear we have not made any progress toward a “colorless” society, and I guess we won’t for another generation.
drew (former teacher)
January 14th, 2011
6:03 am
“And it’s humiliating to hear that school districts want to take a snow day rather than to honor Dr. King’s legacy.” Mr. Dubose…you sir, are a tool. You and your organization need to just go away…you are not helping your people.
I bet you won’t see Fulton County, or Atlanta City Schools working on Monday. The race hustlers are a lot stronger here than in Fannin or Gilmer counties.
And what’s all the fuss about anyway…it’s just education. It’s not like it’s something important.
s2k
January 14th, 2011
6:07 am
“It’s an opportunity for people, black and white, to reflect on what King’s dream meant for blacks and whites,” said Georgia State Conference NAACP President Edward DuBose.
What does anyone think school-age children do to honor King on the holiday? They sleep in, they sit on the sofa, they flick through television channels while scarfing Cheetos….
Were I a teacher in these districts, I’d be working overtime right now to find a way to have my kids working in some way on a service project to honor King on that day, or do some other hands-on project that keeps the spirit of what he stood for alive. How is this idea in any way humiliating to the memory of Dr. King?!
I can’t think of a better way to get our school-aged children thinking about Dr. King again then putting them in a classroom to work with their peers on actions and activities that exemplify his ideals.
Winger
January 14th, 2011
6:11 am
I don’t know anyone, black or white, who plans to spend all day Monday reflecting on the life of Dr King. Dr King worked hard for progress his whole life. I don’t believe for a minute that he would be against taking this holiday to educate children. I’m sorry Mr DuBose got his feelings hurt, but I think he was just more interested in the publicity.
ScienceTeacher671 at gmail.com
January 14th, 2011
6:15 am
“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Deann
January 14th, 2011
6:28 am
Yes!!!!!! Education first! I’m sure MLK wouldn’t be offended that we are taking our kids’ education into account over his memory. Priorities people!
Dulcinea
January 14th, 2011
6:41 am
I hope Dekalb Co. has school on MLK Day, Presidents Day & any remaining furlough days. As was mentioned upthread, it would be a great opportunity for teachers to discuss George Washington’s, Abraham Lincoln’s & Martin Luther King’s meaning to our country. It would be better than parents going to work & arranging for someone to watch the kids on these days (which is what usually happens!)
brown girl
January 14th, 2011
6:54 am
wow. i don’t know about you all.. but i do go to the MLK parade and participate in the activities on MLK day and there are tons of service projects going on throughout the day. Wouldn’t be good for the schools to come down and participate in those programs. I am just wondering if you all would be so generous with the days if it were presidents day, memorial day, christmas or part of your kid’s spring break. If folks actually used this day to reflect on civil rights and the work of Dr. Martin Luther King .. I might feel differently but i sincerely doubt that will be happening in the schools on Monday.
Deann
January 14th, 2011
6:59 am
brown girl …
“I am just wondering if you all would be so generous with the days if it were presidents day, memorial day, christmas or part of your kid’s spring break”
Yes ma’am. Our childrens education comes first! I would give up any day for that.
Mike H
January 14th, 2011
7:07 am
I live in Gilmer County and fully support our kids attending school Monday. Dr. King himself would want the kids and education to come first. This is not a race issue, but one of common sense. I guess civil rights groups can’t see the forest for the trees.
works for me
January 14th, 2011
7:16 am
I commented on this yesterday and my position has not changed. The decision on how to make up the days is up to the local level. Fannin and Gilmer counties – congratulations on making a tough decision. No matter what they did, it would be criticized. When and how do the educators get their days in? They have to start getting caught up somehow. Nine days so far is a lot.
J in John's Creek
January 14th, 2011
7:25 am
Ah Dubose, sliding further and further into the depths of non-relevance. Are you so stupid that you think kids sleeping in and watching TV and playing video games all day (which is what most of them do on school holidays) somehow celebrates MLK? Jeez, you’re an idiot.
The NAACP has prostituted MLK’s words and deeds over the years, and now play the race card wherever and whenever they can just to stay in front of a camera. They’re no more interested in improving race relations than the KKK.
Chris S
January 14th, 2011
7:30 am
I guess we could have predicted that someone in GA would look at MLK Day as a make-up day, that someone would be outraged about it, and that someone else would be outraged about the outrage (sorry Ole Guy). Are they canceling Spring Break? There are probably 20 Saturdays left in the school year (20 Sundays, too, but let’s not go THERE).
It's gotten ridiculous.
January 14th, 2011
7:35 am
MLK is going to get more honor by having the kids in school talking about him, rather than sitting home on the couch watching tv and playing video games all day long. Those NAACP jerks need to be civilly slapped upside the head with a glove.
brown girl
January 14th, 2011
7:46 am
Wow doesn’t say a lot about the parents -that allow the kids to sleep in and watch tv and play video games as opposed to taking some responsibility to teach your kids about MLK, civil rights, and equality– or making sure they go down to the King Center on the holiday. no i guess you would rather the school do that for you. And it does not reflect well that the parents are sick of being with their own children so would forego this holiday. This reflects how many of you all don’t respect MLK contributions. While you might not like what was said by NAACP.. i am not sure many of you have any respect and reverence for MLK either based on your comments.
Jeff
January 14th, 2011
7:48 am
There should be NO holiday for a plagerizing, womanizing socialist. Why are his FBI files sealed for 50 years, until 2027…………..because of his sterling character??? I don’t think so.
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7:58 am
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Moving Fast
January 14th, 2011
8:00 am
In 1973, we had a huge snow storm that shut down the city and we had no power. Of course, there was no MLK Day then. Every available holiday was used to make up the snow days. We had no spring break in April and went to school on Good Friday and Memorial Day. Three extra days were tacked on to the end of school. Instead of graduating in an open air stadium, we had to cram everyone in the gym. I also hope DeKalb would be smart enough to make up this day on Monday, MLK Day, and President’s Day. As a teacher, we had snow make up days in 1979 on teacher work days and the teachers worked on Saturdays. Get over it – go to school on the holiday. Stop all of this wringing of hands – few people do anything on MLK day except sleep late anyway.
New School
January 14th, 2011
8:01 am
Reverence for MLK? Nope. Respect? Yes, but not as much as for US presidents or veterans.
It's gotten ridiculous.
January 14th, 2011
8:03 am
brown girl, the guy did a lot of great things for our society – you can’t take away that. But, so hasn’t many other people that DON’T have a national holiday. Everyone knows why he gets his holiday. Appeasement.
PLC
January 14th, 2011
8:03 am
Brown Girl, we are losing President’s Day. It’s the first to go. However, based on the posts on
the previous blog, if someone mentioned going to school into July, people would have a coronary.
Again, I applaud you for celebrating and honoring MLK, but most don’t. We’ve lost a TON of time and there is no point to adding the days after the tests the students have to take. While I refuse to teach to the test, we do have standards to cover and little time in which to cover everything so that ALL students learn. My gifted will be fine, but my team taught special ed students need every single day they can get.
Philosopher
January 14th, 2011
8:05 am
And I am absolutely POSITIVE that the kids will be talking about MLK and his contributions on that Monday…yeah, right! People have been complaining about having to have this holiday since its inception…so I am not surprised at any attempt to cancel it..legit, or not.
Lee
January 14th, 2011
8:05 am
The MLK holiday is merely proof that if you tell a lie long enough and often enough, it will soon become accepted as truth. We have been victims of fifty years of politically correct propaganda about MLK to the point that anybody who dare questions his motives or character is immediately assailed as a racist.
What is in those FBI files that the liberal judge sealed for fifty years? Inquiring minds and all that.
This website is a good place to start (that is, if Maureen lets it through the filter…)
http://martinlutherking.org/
Dr NO
January 14th, 2011
8:06 am
“said Georgia State Conference NAACP President Edward DuBose.” LOL. Another NAACP idiot still caught on the bridge over Selma. And BrownGirl you worship in your way and allow others to worship in theirs or is the worship of MLK compulsory/voluntary like the programs Obama wants to initiate.
And you are correct…I have no respect or reverence for MLK. king hung around idiots like J Jackson, Young, Abernathy etc…all bigots themselves. The only one of kings “henchman” that was worth his salt was Hosea Williams. And as Jeff stated its all in the FBI files…
It's gotten ridiculous.
January 14th, 2011
8:09 am
brown girl, instead of thinking about MLK just on this holiday, why don’t you live your life in his honor 365?
Philosopher
January 14th, 2011
8:28 am
Well, I think we should stop honoring anyone…because they’re all fallible…surely their contributions to mankind cannot be worth honoring if there is anything in their past that does not meet with the approval of all other human beings! And old presidents…surely we don’t need to honor them…after all most of them are dead, we have nothing to gain by examining their efforts and contributions…and some of them were slave owners and womanizers, etc, anyway.
Teacher&Mom
January 14th, 2011
8:31 am
When you’ve missed as many days as Fannin & Gilmer and still have quite a bit of winter to get through….you start making up days asap.
GNGS
January 14th, 2011
8:31 am
How about school on Saturdays, especially the ones before a Monday holiday?
Kiesh 17..and no my people
January 14th, 2011
8:39 am
Black politicians (DuBose, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton), always wanted us (Black people) to believe that were fighting a racism battle here in Georgia. The only battle we are fighting is with each other. Yes, MLK day should be a make-up for our students, especially Atlanta Public Schools who have already vexed their students in the classrooms. Get a Grip, Martin Luther King has already won the battle between blacks and whites. If, Georgia Black Politicians (NAACP) want to fight a battle, fight the battle and find out why we blacks treat each other the way we do. Most of us is in slavery if we have a boss who is black (African American)… taking all the BS from these bosses just to keep our jobs. I am so tired of the NAACP who fights amongst each other and now got the nerve to say it not right for our students to attend school on MLK day. Most of the NAACP members are old and don’t even have children in school… so shut up. Go find another battle to fight. This is not about color, this is about our children.
nora
January 14th, 2011
8:44 am
For crying out loud. Of course we shouldn’t be surprised by the hue and cry about “dishonoring” Dr. King by attending school on his holiday. But if you think about it, what could be more honorable than the education of our children – of all races? The “infuriated” civil rights leaders insist that we spend the day at home reflecting on Dr. King and his legacy. Well his memory can be served just as well, or better, by children in school that day perhaps having a special lesson about civil rights and Dr. King. You don’t have to take a day off to do that!
And I’m sorry, but I just have to ask: are we “disrespecting” Abraham Lincoln or George Washington by lumping their observances together in one day and not taking a day off from school? Actually there is no other single American that we honor with federal holiday including a day off from school. We don’t even have a school holiday for Veteran’s Day. And not to take anything away from Dr. King, but Veteran’s Day honors THOUSANDS of men and women who risked their lives for the freedom of ALL Americans. Why don’t our schoolchildren get that day off to stay home and reflect on their sacrifices?
myboysmom
January 14th, 2011
8:45 am
I am a mother of two students of one of the counties that will go to school on Monday. Not only have we lost school days that were made up after Christmas, this delayed the start of the semester to this past Monday. We also will not have Winter Break off, two days that were scheduled on Friday and Monday in February. Coincidently that Monday is President’s Day.
I am all for honoring holidays, but how many people have to work on the federal holidays, how many stores are closed on federal holidays?
Please allow our children go to school on Monday without any problems isn’t education one of the important aspects MLK preached?
By the way, this article has made it to the FOX News website.
Moving Fast
January 14th, 2011
8:48 am
The best way to Honor Dr. King is to strive to your best everyday. Rise above victimhood as an excuse and use education to make yourself a better citizen. Honor the Veterans who fought and died for you by appreciating your freedom each day. We are all so passive. If you value education, to read to a class on MLK Day. Donate books to a school. Help the teachers in your school by taking them food to boost their morale. Can you tutor a child in math or reading or English? Instead of protesting the use of MLK day to go to school, honor all of those who made a sacrifice to make our nation a better place by making your neighborhood school a better place.
jennifer
January 14th, 2011
8:56 am
This is the loose language that leaders should be called on the carpet for. “But we believe that it is in the best interest of our students to be in school as much as possible so that they can be successful in life.” Give me a break.
There are 80+ days to chose from – and you had to pick the only day of the year that honors a civil rights leader ? Makes me wonder what you are teaching inside the school house door.
Bright Idea
January 14th, 2011
8:59 am
@ brown girl
I think your speech is better directed at the administration for Atlanta Public Schools. Many of the students that attend those schools will not be honoring MLK the way you “wish”, and instead will be treating it as another vacation day. APS students should be forced (by your standards) to honor and talk about the glory of MLK all day long if they were in school on Monday.
myboysmom
January 14th, 2011
9:02 am
Jennifer, I don’t want to start a war of words, but what about the other holidays that honor our presidents and our veterans? Should they not be honored for their contributions? Again, how many of us work those days, many not by choice. If we really want to honor all our holidays, we should all not work, not go to school, not go shopping, all the stores be closed. Unfortunately, that’s not the way it is.
I am not certain, but I think counting today, we have already lost nine school days.
catlady
January 14th, 2011
9:05 am
It doesn’t hurt that neither district has more than 1% black students. The others who are not “white” are Latino (any race). Average people in both counties (not necessarily school folk) have always been very resistant to honoring King anyway.
Both systems are in a tough spot, because everyone expects more snow days. However,if the state looked at their hours in class they would find that, due to bus constraints, the kids are already in well over the required number of hours per year. Perhaps that might ameliorate the discrepancy.
Math lesson
January 14th, 2011
9:09 am
We have a day to honor one man, MLK, and one day to honor all 44 Presidents.
ABC
January 14th, 2011
9:13 am
Back in October, my sister asked her husband if he got Columbus Day off (he works for Coke and gets MLK off). He answer: oh no, Columbus just discovered America, it’s not like some guy had a dream.
No offense to anyone, but if we work/go to school on Columbus Day, then hell yeah we should work/go to school on MLK day.
momof3andwife
January 14th, 2011
9:14 am
I don’t see what the big deal is about our children going to school on that day. I don’t feel like it needs to be a holiday. Yes he did make a difference but what about Veterans Day??? We don’t have a holiday for it and our Veterans have done more for us than anyone else who has a holiday. I think Veterans Day should be a holiday for everyone to reflect on our veterans and our military who are out fighting for our freedom. Thats something we need to be fighting for not for missing one MLK holiday because of snow days.
shellybean
January 14th, 2011
9:20 am
Do people really “reflect” on MLK Day? If civil rights groups really want students to “reflect” on the greatness of MLK, then why don’t they go to school and LEARN about the civil rights movement and what makes MLK so great. Unfortunately, our country has gotten so far away from the reason people have MLK off as a holiday.
CobbParent
January 14th, 2011
9:23 am
I suspect they chose MLK Day because it is about to happen, not because they are a bunch of cross-burning racists. It is a proximity and convenience thing, It is sad to say that generally holidays intended to honor anyone – MLK, presidents, veterans, those who died for our freedom, labor, etc – have lost their meaning anyway. They are just days for banks to close and kids to sleep in and the rest of us go to work. Maybe these schools can weave Dr. King’s teachings into their lessons on Monday….or maybe not. Do you really think that Dr. King would want this turned into such a divisive issue? That he would leap up and accuse these counties of racism? I like to think that the Dr. King I try to honor in my daily life was a bigger person than Mr. DuBose appears to be.
An American Patriot
January 14th, 2011
9:25 am
@Bob
January 14th, 2011
5:38 am
Do these race hustlers EVER stop? My goodness, I am so very tired of this. I swear we have not made any progress toward a “colorless” society, and I guess we won’t for another generation.
Bob, I hate to disappoint you, but officially our Great Country is completely integrated; however, unofficially, we are, have been in the past and always will be segregated. This is not “Racism” on my part……Bob, It’s called “Reality”……look around you Bob, take off your blinders, open up your ears……
Maisy
January 14th, 2011
9:27 am
Jennifer @ 8:56
Speaking of loose language, what about your assertion that “there are 80+ days to cho(o)se from”? Do you really think it’s feasible to choose July 4th, or July 28th, or June 13th, or August 1st…? You get the picture. The days they can choose for making up lost days really are limited. It seems as if your language is just as loose as theirs.