As the festive season arises and students eagerly anticipate the beginning of winter break, they seek the opportunity to share precious moments with friends and family. There is a favoring of Christian holidays displayed within the Grosse Pointe Public School System’s calendar. Students receive breaks for Christmas, Easter and Good Friday, but the calendar lacks representation of other non-Christian religious holidays. Additionally, GPPSS breaks don’t correlate with most college breaks, which makes it a challenge for families to be all together at once.
Through continuous collaboration and open communication, the Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services, Dr. Roy Bishop strives to build a calendar that represents all students, however it doesn’t accommodate new breaks.
“Almost two years ago, as a district, we created an awareness calendar to support all members of our educational community,” Bishop said.
The lack of representation in the GPPSS calendar for students observing non-Christian holidays has the potential to adversely impact their academics. This often can leave students feeling frantic trying to make up work while trying not to fall farther behind. Social studies teacher Jennifer Weisbrodt is dedicated to showing utmost consideration when assisting students in catching up on missed work.
“I always try to be accommodating with either altering the work or giving them things ahead of time,” Weisbrodt said. “Tell us what your needs are, tell us what we can do for you because if we don’t know we can’t accommodate and we can’t help.”
Highlighting the significance of embracing diverse holiday celebrations, senior Sophia Chasiotis emphasizes how different cultural festivities play a vital role in fostering unity and mutual understanding among people in our community.
“Celebrating holidays from different cultures is important because it brings people together and helps us understand and respect each other,” Chasiotis said. “Even though everyone doesn’t follow the same traditions or holidays, I think it’s cool that everybody has their own little thing that is special to them.”
When determining the calendar to be suitable for the entire district, Bishop takes several requirements and factors into account. The calendar must include the majority of celebrated holidays while maintaining additional non-instructional days that align with teacher contracts and professional development days.
“School calendars need to comply with state and national laws and regulations,” Bishop said. “Input from teachers, students, administrators, parents and community members is essential. The calendar must provide sufficient instructional time to meet educational goals and law requirements.”
The current Christmas and Easter break exemplify a schedule catering to Christianity due to a larger number of Christians in the GPPSS. Recognizing the logistical challenges, Chasiotis acknowledges the importance of prioritizing breaks and accommodating the majority.
“It’s best to have breaks fall where they should for the majority of people,” Chasiotis said. “Using Greeks, for example, there aren’t nearly as many Greek Orthodox people as there are Catholic, so it doesn’t bother me because I know that it is for the majority.”
Although the current GPPSS calendar may feel failed to be more inclusive, Bishop ensures that the district aims to recognize every culture.
“Recognizing holidays from various cultures is paramount for fostering a supportive educational environment,” Bishop said. “By acknowledging and celebrating the diverse array of cultural holidays, we send a powerful message that every student’s background is respected and valued.
