Schools
Should The Chelmsford School Year Begin on Rosh Hashanah?
The topic, and related issues around religious holidays and the school year schedule, was a heated debate on Tuesday. Today we want to get your take.
At Tuesday's School Committee meeting, residents voiced their concerns with the fact that the 2013-14 Chelmsford School Year will begin on Rosh Hashanah, a discussion that also included concern over tests given on religious holidays.
In discussion with the teachers' union, it was determined that a start earlier than September 1 would not be feasible.
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The board voted to begin the next school year on Sept.4, with a professional day on Sept. 3.
Rosh Hashanah will begin on the evening of Sept. 4, ending on the evening of Sept. 6
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Today, we want your take. Is it appropriate to begin a school year on a day when many students and faculty members might be able to attend due to religious obligations? What about other parts of the school year? How do snow days and the end of the school year (it was approved for June 26 during Tuesday's meeting, with June 27 being the last day for staff.)
For more information, we've attached the Telemedia video of the meeting (debate is between approximately the 9:00 and 57:00 marks)
CORRECTION: Rosh Hashanah last from Sept. 4 to Sept. 6, not Sept. 3 to 5. We apologize for the error.
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