Wow, Baltimore City teachers and students are looking for a day off? I just can't imagine. How about you honor the man by working harder, rather than working less. It certainly has paid off for him.

We take off for far less important events--1/2 inch of snow and such. Why not?

Better close, staff won't be there. Watch the massive call outs, and try to get subs to cover.

I truly cannot imagine years from now telling my children and grandchildren that on one of the most historic days of my lifetime, I was 45 minutes away and I was at school. The enthusiasm, joy, and interest in civics that I have seen from my students is incredible. We hope, as teachers, that outside the classroom students practice what we teach them inside. I can imagine no more impressive 'teachable' moment than allowing our students to experience the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship without being penalized for an unexcused absence. I take my responsibilites as a teacher seriously but I have no qualms about taking 1 day off to be part of my country's history.

The letter to the editor writer makes several good points. I was planning on taking a few students down on Inaugeration Day, but hearing that the date actually fell during midterms was a real heart-stopper. Not only will kids not be able to attend, but teachers won't even be able to have the inaugeration on a television set for students to watch it.

I'd be just as happy with Dr. Alonso and the school board if they instituted a mandate around the schools to provide viewing options for every student to watch the inaugeration live and be in school. However, with that probably not feasible, it seems best to make it a school holiday and allow families to attend together or students to watch at home.

The surrounding districts such as Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties will have classes. I suggest that the inauguration be incorporated into the lesson plan for that day, with discussion and homework around the meaning of the historical moment and an examination of important issues that the new President will have to tackle. I do think that students should have the opportunity to watch the ceremony on television. In this way we honor him and his efforts to make a difference for all Americans.

Ditto Reality Check. Conservatively, if even 4-5 teachers at every school call out, it seems like the potential for not only confusion, but unsafe schools.

And I am almost positive that getting the day off now means adding it later, so any cynicism about looking for a day off probably needs to be checked.

I think many of us would gladly give up a day of spring break or add a day to the end of the school year in order to go to DC for this historic event.

FYI...School Board voted to close schools on Inauguration Day, as per their meeting tonight.

CC: Until the CEO posts it on the site and makes that public to everyone it will still be in question. As of 1:35pm nothing has come out schoolwide.

A school system email was just out. The first paragraph of the letter says:

"On January 20, 2008, President-Elect Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the first African-American President of the United States. In recognition of the truly historic significance of this event, as well as anticipated difficulties in maintaining adequate staffing and student attendance, the Board of School Commissioners voted last night to close Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) on that date. This means that all City Schools employees will be able to watch the inaugural events from home. Because of State requirements regarding the number of days for instruction, the last day of school will now be June 10, 2009, assuming that no other closures are required for inclement weather."

oh yes take the day off. make it up later. and by the way those that do not call out on that day will be required to teach 64 students per class!