School on Veterans' Day: "Disrespectful?"

[Marauder06]

Through an op-ed that appeared today in my local paper (the online version didn't carry it for some reason, so I can't link to it), a writer explained that he had heard that the local school district is considering doing away with a number of holidays, including Veterans' Day. Instead of a school holiday, children will have school but it will be a day of education and celebration, with vets visiting classrooms, etc. My daughter's school in Virginia did it this way, and I thought it went very well. A total of three veterans, in uniform, visited my daughter's class, and that was kind of typical throughout the school. They also had an entire wall of pictures that students brought in of their family members and others who had served.

I thought this was extremely well done, and in fact better than a day off; this way, people meet some "real" veterans and understand what the day is all about, instead of it being just another day they have to go to school.

The person writing the op-ed said he would support the new change, if veterans didn't find it "disrespectful." I don't think it's disrespectful, I think it's a good idea. What do you all think?

 

[TLDR20]

As long as I get the day off...

 

[surgicalcric]

<<SNIP>>
I don't think it's disrespectful, I think it's a good idea. What do you all think?

I concur. I would rather children learn more about those who stand for freedom, sometimes dying, than to have another day to sit in front of "the tube." However what happens when the teacher is anti-military? Will this become an opportunity for more revisionism to take place in those classrooms or will the school district have strict control over the program for that day?

 

[Atlas]

Growing up I only considered it a day off. I never considered what the day really meant, no clue the sacrifices it stood for.

I think its a great idea and would also help to shorten the gap between civilians and military personel, as was brought up in another thread.

 

[Viper1]

It's a Federal Holiday and I believe students should get the day off. A lot of my teacher used it to catch on course work, grading our work, and taking a break from us. Teachers need a break from time to time. Besides, if I have the day off, I'd like for my kids to have it off too.

If not, what's been described about learning about Veterans is a healthy way to spend the school day.

 

[Mac_NZ]

I think the visitation is a great idea but that it should be done prior to the day. I assume you guys have parades and such like we do, maybe a few curious middle schoolers asking their parents why they aren't going to the parade might make their parents question why they don't attend themselves.

Mind you I might be putting a bit too much faith in humanity for that to happen.

 

[Marine0311]

I agree with this. I actually have spoken at schools on Veterans Day. Learn history. Learn about the Founding Fathers, those who bleed and died for you to sit there picking your nose.