Kylie Ora Lobell is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. Learn how SHRM Certification can accelerate your career growth by earning a SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. By comparison, Belgium reported the highest OECD voter turnout: 87.2% in the most recent national election. Its important to collaborate and communicate with students and their families throughout the year when teaching about the holidays, says Judie Offerdahl, a second-grade teacher at Centerview Elementary School in Blaine, Minnesota. company with hubs in San Francisco and Nashville, said the organization is planning a virtual holiday party with crafting and a Secret Santa gift exchange. (if applicable) for The Wall Street Journal. The consumerism of holidays can be attributed to the growing amount of commercials and ads that we see in the media. How Positive Behavior Programs are Improving Public School Campuses, Why Public Schools are Launching Marketing Campaigns, Adopt a Public School: Creating Partnerships that Benefit the Children, Segregation: A Modern Problem for Public Schools in the South, Busing and Desegregation: Understanding the Link, Local School Districts at Risk of State Government Takeovers, Resign or Face Termination: The Fallout from the APS Cheating Scandal. I believe that having a month for black history compartmentalizes the issue, as if once the month is over we can turn our attention away from it again until the next year, said Hassan, a fourth-grade English language-arts teacher at Truesdell Elementary School in Washington, D.C. Holiday parties take away from classroom instruction. The Pros And Cons Of Christmas Time Kimber Guillen Dec 01, 2015 Texas A&M University Ahhh it's finally December which means that Christmas is just a few short 20-something days away! All these goings-on are part of what makes Minnesota a great place to live. She recently created Google Slide librarieswhich she shared with that Facebook groupto acknowledge holidays her students celebrate, including Christmas, Rosh Hashanah, and Ramadan. Explain your answers. This is mainly because the month of December is one big holiday already -- no matter what holiday you celebrate. Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. I wouldve loved to have delved into African history, the Harlem Renaissance, black life in the 1970s, and beyond.. This year, many shoppers opted out of Black Friday following a decline in spending and customers. As noted, hosting a festival is not without risks and costs. The US ranks 26th out of 32 for voter turnout among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. "I love a celebration that revolves around a Czechoslovakian pastry," he says. And it will, in turn, help strengthen the idea that businesses can and will come together for a worthy common purpose: protecting our democracy by empowering all American workers to be good citizens. [30], Solutions such as automatic voter registration, same-day registration, early voting, no-excuse absentee voting, restoring voting rights to former felons, improved civics education, and voter outreach would all improve voter participation more reliably than a national holiday. In many locations, holiday parties involve decorating contests that include Christmas trees and ornaments. As a result, my team deserves to be honored with a Christmas party, even though it'll be small.". "Tourism has the opportunity to bring communities together and instill a sense of community pride and knowledge of their history," she says. Cultural festivals are a great way to immerse yourself in a new cultural without needing to invest in a plane ticket, time off, visas, and pre-trip doctors appointments. Need help with a specific HR issue like coronavirus or FLSA? So It Redesigned Its Iconic Can. ], [Editors Note: The MLA citation style requires double spacing within entries. The holiday season is fast approaching, which means many HR departments have started planning their companies' annual office parties, as well as other ways to help employees celebrate the season. The Answer is Hazy. According to the Gallup Survey Network, the average American will spend $909 on Christmas presents this year, up more than $200 from ten years ago. She notes that some traditional Thanksgiving activities, like making Native Americanstyle headdresses with construction-paper feathers, may be offensive to Indigenous peoples. However, not all children share the same beliefs. Its important to embrace these occasions as an opportunity to appreciate what you have been blessed with and take time to spend with family and loved ones. While these celebrations are no doubt intended to spread Christmas joy, there are. "That is, work should simply be a way for you to earn the money to live the lifestyle you want to live. Please note that Statesman has the right to monitor comments and accepts comments at staff discretion. They replaced it with an evening harvest festival and a spirit day. A recent Macys advertisement prompted customers to hurry to their doorbuster sale, where doors opened as early as 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving night. 2. A driving force behind Woodson setting aside time to study and reflect on black culture was his frustration that childrenblack and nonblack studentswere deprived of learning in Americas schools about black achievements. In fact, these voters may be more likely to have to work as a result of a federal election holiday, where they may have had time off previously on a random Tuesday in November. Rather, it helps us have an understanding of the world and the people around us.. Siegel connects the themes he covers to other aspects of instruction, sharing lessons on geography and social studies that connect to different cultures around the world. We dont do that, she says of her classroom. Before Simons was a student organizer he was a high-schooler in the California Bay Area, and his memories of Black History Month are still sharp. Festivals also provide free marketing and advertising for local businesses as visitors talk about their fun experiences when they go back home. SHRM's Employee Engagement Survey service focuses on more than 50 aspects of job satisfaction and engagement commonly linked to performance. There are risks and costs related to the effort. Paige has students read two articles to understand Indigenous peoples perspectives on Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving: a Native American View by Jacqueline Keeler, of the Dineh and Dakota nations, and The Suppressed Speech by Wamsutta (Frank) James, of the Wampanoag. One of the primary concerns for people who are against a prolonged vacation is because of the "forgetfulness" factor. In addition to having students share their traditionsand using Nearpod, Teaching Tolerance, and Scholastic to offer more background knowledge about the holidaysOfferdahl pairs students who celebrate different holidays and has them write about and discuss their traditions and the commonalities between them. After a quarter of parents removed their kidsover 100 studentsfrom Halloween events at North Country Elementary School in Antelope, California, school leaders realized they werent meeting their students needs and stopped celebrating Halloween. The holidays are times to embrace special moments with family, give thanks and celebrate traditions. But off-site spending related to festivals generates revenue for communities, too. Solutions vary: Some schools have canceled Halloween, for example, as families opted out for religious or personal reasons, and many schools struggle to teach students about Thanksgiving in a way that acknowledges the impact of the European settlers on the Indigenous population. "The best thing about being involved with festivals and events is the opportunity to help build a community, foster a sense of pride within a community, and engage a community," says Chris Romano, a business consultant with Thrivent Financial Services. Holidays like Easter, Passover, and Holian ancient Hindu festivalcelebrate spring traditions and rebirth, and Siegel sings songs about spring like the Mexican De Colores and Englands Bells of Norwich. He shows students that fall holidays like the Mexican Da de Los Muertos and Chuseok, a Korean harvest festival, tie into honoring ancestorsas did Halloween originally. And visitors spend money, which boosts the local economy both on and off the festival site. Explore which countries have weekend voting with Pew Research. The holiday season is fast approaching, which means many HR departments have started planning their companies' annual office parties, as well as other ways to help employees celebrate the season. [31]. What other improvements could be made to voting and Election Day? "It's a particularly seamless way to show my gratitude toward the people who make up our company. As well, I think its of the utmost importance to highlight the figures of today. The social benefits of festivals are less visible, but they are just as important. Pros. Rather, teaching and learning should include lessons that open children up to other cultures and viewpoints year-round. Regents of the University of Minnesota. Members can get help with HR questions via phone, chat or email. Fourth-grade teacher Sarah Pemberton periodically uses 10 to 15 minutes set aside for in-class reading to teach her students about cultural, federal, and religious holidays and celebrations. News Corp is a global, diversified media and information services company focused on creating and distributing authoritative and engaging content and other products and services. There remain many public schools in this country that engage in holiday celebrations that revolve around Christian ideas and principles as they pertain to Christmas. The pastry is kolacky (also spelled kolache), a concoction consisting of sweet bread and different fillings, especially fruit such as prune, apricot, and poppy seed. Watermelon and walleye; country music and hip hop; Cinco de Mayo and Syttende Mai just to name a few themes for festivals held annually throughout the state. [24] Holidays usually mean more work hours for retail workers, because stores run promotions and sales. Bring on the strenuous amount of Christmas cookies, movies, and also cold weather. Learn about what you can do as a parent to improve your child's public school. May offend families with different beliefs. Can Public Schools Legally Charge for Fees and Uniforms? [8][15] A holiday for elections sidesteps the issue of a weekend election, which could conflict with religious obligations. Multiculturalism is not something that should only make an appearance in December. Paige highlights current achievements of Native people as a way to counter her students misconception that they are all gone and can be found only in the pages of textbooks. Cindy Yao and Joylyn Yang, Staff ReportersJanuary 25, 2015. Instead of hosting a party, he's giving his staff additional time off to spend with their families. Teaching elementary students about religious and cultural holidays is tough, but in schools across the nation culturally responsive teaching is opening up new possibilities. After all, material items are not worth nearly as much as human affection. The economic benefits of successful festivals ripple throughout a local economy affecting tourism and non-tourism-related businesses alike. One of the benefits of school holidays is the time that families can spend together. Times Reporter. Pros of Celebrating Holidays: Only shows limited view of a culture. To support the experiences of children, their families and the staff in the program. Impossible to celebrate every culture. Should People Who Have Completed Felony Sentences Be Allowed to Vote? Along with cold weather and hot cocoa, the "holiday season" brings with it a renewal of a roaring, ongoing debate. Drug Testing Teachers: Testing Positive or Negative? This educational experience helped visitors connect to the area. Advantages of an extended school holidayThere are some obvious advantages to a vacation that lasts three weeks or longer. ], ProCon.org, "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons,", ProCon.org, "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons. 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 For seven weeks, starting on the first night of Hanukkah, the company will hold events that celebrate the season, small business and creativity, explained Loralie Young, culture and people enablement manager. [7] A handful of states have made election day a state holiday, including New York, Hawaii, Kentucky, and, in Apr. Raquel Willis, a writer and racial-justice activist in Atlanta, remembers annual Black History Month school displays in her hometown of Augusta, Georgia, as neither memorable nor notable. Most of the relationship-building occurs in the festival planning phase. Possible options. 14, 2019, BBC, "Singapore Election: Governing Party Secure Decisive Win, bbc.com, Sep. 12, 2015, Holly Jackson, "It's Time to Make Election Day a Holiday in Law and Spirit," washingtonpost.com, Oct. 22, 2018, BCP Associates, "India Elections 2019 - Declaration of Paid Holiday on Polling Day, bcpassociates.com, Apr. Instead, Passover, which occurs in the spring, and Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, which occur in the fall, are much more important. All rights reserved. Those things can be as "big" as ethnic heritage, or as "small" as a piece of pastry. If Election Day were a national holiday, how would you ensure hourly and low-income workers would get a chance to vote? Some teachers may reach out to children who practice one of these religions or have alternative cultural beliefs in order to get a better understanding of their beliefs. Discuss your plans with another seasoned preschool teacher or the preschool director. The benefits are similar to those for tourism, in general, according to Ingrid Schneider, former director of the University of Minnesota Tourism Center. The debate that December consistently reignites is between those who believe that public schools should be allowed to teach religion, as long as all major religions are covered, and those who argue that public schools should refrain from any discussion of religion whatsoever. An In-Depth Look at Common Core Whats Working and What Isnt? Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives. However, critics argue that doing so serves to amplify the problem, rather than fix it. Pros & Cons (The Gluttony of Holidays) Cindy Yao and Joylyn Yang, Staff Reporters. A Passover Seder Plate (with orange). To request permission for specific items, click on the reuse permissions button on the page where you find the item. The end of the year tends to throw this problem into sharp relief, but of course it extends well beyond December as religious and cultural holidays occur throughout the year. Of course, education (including greater awareness and new knowledge) is another social benefit of festivals. Consider the potential benefits and difficulties of changing election day. Especially in diverse communities or schools with ELLs, celebrating your students' cultures and observed holidays can help everyone feel respected and included. Are Waivers the Answer to the No Child Left Behind Program? "With the difficulties we have faced this year, we feel our team deserves a day to celebrate and enjoy themselves with their co-workers at our offices," she said. Last chance for up to $40 off TurboTax, Wayfair promo code: 10% off any single purchase, Sign up to Stock Advisor for $79 for 1 year, All Jeans + Pants 25% off! 20, 2018, Annie McDonald, "Ensuring Access to Election Day for All, bppj.berkely.edu, Nov. 6, 2018, Suzanne Lucas, "No, Election Day Should Not Be a Federal Holiday, inc.com, Oct. 24, 2016, Kenneth Quinnell, "Know Your Rights: State Laws on Employee Time off to Vote, aflicio.org, Nov. 5, 2016, Osita Nwanevu, "Maybe Making Election Day a National Holiday Wouldnt Really Work, slate.com, Nov. 3, 2016, Abigail Hess, "A Record 44% of US Employers Will Give Their Workers Paid Time off to Vote This Year, cnbc.com, Oct. 31, 2018, Make Time to Vote, homepage, maketimetovote.org (accessed Sep. 24, 2019), Rose Marcario, "Time to Vote, patagonia.com, Sep. 24, 2018, Danielle Root and Liz Kennedy, "Increasing Voter Participation in America, americanprogress.org, July 11, 2018, Kelly Born, "Increasing Voter Turnout: What, If Anything, Can Be Done?, ssir.org, Apr. When the economy is unstable, employers are faced with difficult decisions around staffing, pay and benefits. Making public schools more accepting and understanding of cultural differences is not just a job for teachers and staff members. Are Public Schools Protecting the Environment? "Honestly, in my professional career, I've never found something outside a community festival that can do that to the same degree.". "We'll be doing a raffle for all employees who attend the holiday party, with multiple prizes," he said. With a large part of this being shopping and gift giving, Statesman discusses the gluttony and capitalism behind holidays, and whether these have taken a toll on traditional holiday values and celebrations. Ads that we see in the festival planning phase based in Los.! '' he said for Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD ) countries to their doorbuster sale, where opened! 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