Post by title1parent on Sept 24, 2009 5:14:28 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=323664&src=
Use sensitivity in school-faith matters
Daily Herald Editorial Board 9/24/2009
Friday night football, a staple in high school culture, may have been missing a few more players than usual last week. As teams took to the field in many suburbs, observant Jewish kids and their families likely were absent.
Friday was the start of Rosh Hashana, which marks the beginning of the High Holy Days. The observance began at sundown - about kickoff time for varsity squads - and Jewish players were forced to weigh dedication to their team against commitment to their religion.
Teens make choices all the time when events conflict. However, the question here is how much responsibility schools have with respect to those choices when religion is involved.
Few school districts in our area recognize this more than Northwest Suburban High School District 214. For more than 20 years officials, acknowledging a significant Jewish population, have not held classes on Yom Kippur, the most solemn of the holy days.
But this year's situation was particularly prickly when football and Rosh Hashana celebrations bumped up against each other. The district scheduled its games for Thursday, and out-of-district teams respectfully accommodated.
Federal and state laws do not obligate schools to clear schedules for religious observances. However, the suburbs are becoming increasingly diverse as pockets of Jews, Muslims and other faiths expand. School decision makers must be attuned to the needs of these communities.
We're not recommending every school close on Yom Kippur, or Islam's Eid al-Fitr, or the Christian Orthodox Holy Friday, or even Christianity's Good Friday, for that matter. What we hope is that schools foster an environment in which those types of requests can be made without hesitation, and then thoughtfully considered.
Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128, which over a decade ago made Yom Kippur a no-school day, involves both staff and parents on a committee that decides each year's calendar. We like this approach.
The public has a responsibility, too. As Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph of Naperville says, "It's up to us to reach out to school superintendents and let them know when the holidays are."
As First Amendment issues usually go, this one is touchy, and conflicts will continue to arise. Most games in DuPage County and the Fox Valley were played on Friday, no doubt leaving some players out. Also last week, before Oak Park-River Forest High School's game, the school issued an apology to the community and opponent Glenbard West for scheduling it on Rosh Hashana.
We recognize that not all religious requests will be honored, nor should they be. By law, schools must schedule a minimum of 176 student attendance days, so it's a balancing act when deciding how often to close doors during the school year. But we urge all involved to use sensitivity and constructive dialogue as these matters arise.
Use sensitivity in school-faith matters
Daily Herald Editorial Board 9/24/2009
Friday night football, a staple in high school culture, may have been missing a few more players than usual last week. As teams took to the field in many suburbs, observant Jewish kids and their families likely were absent.
Friday was the start of Rosh Hashana, which marks the beginning of the High Holy Days. The observance began at sundown - about kickoff time for varsity squads - and Jewish players were forced to weigh dedication to their team against commitment to their religion.
Teens make choices all the time when events conflict. However, the question here is how much responsibility schools have with respect to those choices when religion is involved.
Few school districts in our area recognize this more than Northwest Suburban High School District 214. For more than 20 years officials, acknowledging a significant Jewish population, have not held classes on Yom Kippur, the most solemn of the holy days.
But this year's situation was particularly prickly when football and Rosh Hashana celebrations bumped up against each other. The district scheduled its games for Thursday, and out-of-district teams respectfully accommodated.
Federal and state laws do not obligate schools to clear schedules for religious observances. However, the suburbs are becoming increasingly diverse as pockets of Jews, Muslims and other faiths expand. School decision makers must be attuned to the needs of these communities.
We're not recommending every school close on Yom Kippur, or Islam's Eid al-Fitr, or the Christian Orthodox Holy Friday, or even Christianity's Good Friday, for that matter. What we hope is that schools foster an environment in which those types of requests can be made without hesitation, and then thoughtfully considered.
Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128, which over a decade ago made Yom Kippur a no-school day, involves both staff and parents on a committee that decides each year's calendar. We like this approach.
The public has a responsibility, too. As Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph of Naperville says, "It's up to us to reach out to school superintendents and let them know when the holidays are."
As First Amendment issues usually go, this one is touchy, and conflicts will continue to arise. Most games in DuPage County and the Fox Valley were played on Friday, no doubt leaving some players out. Also last week, before Oak Park-River Forest High School's game, the school issued an apology to the community and opponent Glenbard West for scheduling it on Rosh Hashana.
We recognize that not all religious requests will be honored, nor should they be. By law, schools must schedule a minimum of 176 student attendance days, so it's a balancing act when deciding how often to close doors during the school year. But we urge all involved to use sensitivity and constructive dialogue as these matters arise.