Howard schools to stay open Inauguration Day
Many students, teachers expected to be absent Jan. 20
By Jennifer Broadwater
jbroadwater@patuxent.com
Posted 12/18/08
(Enlarge) Paul Lemle, a government teacher at Wilde Lake High School, won tickets to the Inauguration through his congressman’s office. Lemle plans to attend the Inauguration and share his experience with his students. (staff photo by Nicole Martyn)
Several other area school systems — including those in Montgomery, Prince George’s, Charles, St. Mary’s, Frederick and Calvert counties and Baltimore City — have decided to close on Inauguration Day, many citing the historical significance of the election of Barack Obama. Some are completely shutting down, others dismissing students but scheduling a professional development day for staff.
School officials in Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties have said their schools will remain open. In Anne Arundel, officials plan to incorporate the Inauguration into classroom instruction with activities crafted by the system’s social studies office.
Howard County Superintendent of Schools Sydney Cousin said he had no plans to recommend closing Jan. 20, a decision that would be up to the Board of Education.
School board chairman Frank Aquino also said he does not anticipate closing schools for the Inauguration. He added that State Superintendent Nancy Grasmick sent a letter to the board explaining that schools still must hold 180 instructional days and that closures on Inauguration Day must be made up by adding another day to the school calendar.
“It’s an instructional day. There’s ample opportunity to use it as an instructional day,” Aquino said.
After receiving a flood of questions from parents about how to handle absences on Inauguration Day, the school system’s chief academic officer, Linda Wise, released a statement directing principals to grant students an excused absence on Jan. 20. Parents have to request the day in advance as one of three “discretionary days” each student is allowed.
The Inauguration falls during the beginning of high school semester exams, and absent students are expected to make up any missed exams later that week, according to Wise.
The system also is expected a greater-than-normal need for substitute teachers on Inauguration Day, schools spokeswoman Patti Caplan said.
One teacher who has snared a piece of the Inaugural action is Wilde Lake High School government teacher Paul Lemle.
Shortly after the election, Lemle — like countless others — submitted an online form requesting tickets through his congressional representative’s Web site. Lemle lives in Severn, in Anne Arundel County, part of U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger’s district.
Lemle wasn’t particularly hopeful, he said, considering the popularity of the event. So it came as a surprise when he got a call from one of Ruppersberger’s aides in mid-November, telling him he would be given two tickets to the Inauguration.
“It’s one of those days you’re going to want to tell your kids you were there,” said Lemle, 37, who plans to attend the Inauguration with his wife.
Lemle said he plans to share his experience with his students when he returns.
“I would be bringing them with me if I could get 20 tickets,” he said. “I’ll almost certainly get a recording of the address and talk with them about it.”
user comments (7)
user says...
Two observations: Nancy Grasmick is probably the most Republican official currently in Maryland appointed office. Her position on the inauguration of Mr. Obama is not surprising! And Howard County Public School's position: they'll spare no effort to educate children IF a standardized test is involved, but they place no educational value to a real life experience, such as attending the inauguration of the first multi-racial President.
Posted 7:10 PM, 12.15.08
user feangleheart says...
howard county school system needs to give up one of those unnecessary professional days when the schools are closed and then the children could experience the inauguration of the first multi-racial President.
Posted 12:14 AM, 12.16.08
user johnjohn says...
I disagree. If schools don't close for inaugurations every 4 years, this year is no different. "We want to be equal! Treat us equal!" But now... "Close schools because he's black." Students who are not in school will not be attending the inauguration they will be sitting at home playing with X-Box or one of the million other couch potato games. At school, they can participate in the events through the magic of TV. The teachers can structure the conversations and discussions to actually help the children learn from the experience. I praise the school systems for staying open and not falling to the special interests who change the rules to meet their own agenda.
Posted 12:36 PM, 12.16.08
user getalife says...
I completely agree with the first user - Nancy Grasmick has never met a test she didn't like - as for real world learning, especially if it involves a Democrat, she has no use for it. It's time for her to GO! There is much more to learning that is far more important than getting kids to pass the MSA's and HSA's. This is an historic event, noted by the MILLIONS of people who want to take part, including HoCo students and teachers. Just because you can't "test" it and gloat about the results, doesn't make it a worthwhile learning experience. On the contrary, I can guarantee that my kids will learn more about history, government, and living in a global society on Inauguration Day than they could possibly learn that day in school. As for HCPSS being a progressive school system, not even close. I know teachers were told not to discuss the election results in class. Dr. Cousins and Ms. Wise really missed an opportunity to educate our children about the world they will one day lead. Now about that test....
Posted 1:39 PM, 12.16.08
user lemme14 says...
If they didn't have so many days off for every obscure holiday known to man throughout the school year, then maybe they could afford one more day off for the Inauguration.
Posted 9:24 PM, 12.16.08
user lemme14 says...
If they didn't have so many days off for every obscure holiday known to man throughout the school year, then maybe they could afford one more day off for the Inauguration.
Posted 9:54 PM, 12.16.08
user ellabella says...
Johnjohn is right on many points. This is an exciting inauguration but not all students are going to be using a day off to experience it. The day should be the same as years in the past. If there are teachers and students who want to take off...go for it.
Posted 1:21 PM, 12.17.08
related articles
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement