District 113A Approves 2013-14 Calendar, Waives Veterans Day Holiday

Students in Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A will no longer have a day off from school in observation of Veterans Day.

The District 113A Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the district's 2013-14 calendar, which included a waiver of the Veterans Day holiday on Nov. 11, 2013.

Per Illinois School Code, a public hearing was held prior to Tuesday's board meeting to allow for public comment and a presentation from school officials on how veterans will be honored through instructional activities.

Old Quarry Middle School Principal Bill Caron said administrators have already been in contact with both the Lemont and Lockport VFW posts about bringing veterans—including District 113A alumni—into the schools for short ceremonies or celebrations.

"We still have to put these plans together, but we feel it's important to honor our veterans," Caron said. "We want to honor them for their service, but we also want to help our students understand what Veterans Day means, because it's something that we think is extremely important, especially since we continue to have young men and ladies serve our country."

During public comment, Lemont resident Laura Reigle said it would be a "slap in the face to veterans" to waive the holiday.

"Veterans Day in November will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. After 75 years of a federal holiday being in place to honor our country's heritage, background and beliefs, we should be observing the holiday," Reigle said.

Victoria Cobbett, a Lemont Fire Protection District trustee and former Marine, said she was initially appalled when she heard the district would be waiving Veterans Day, but changed her mind after talking to administrators and local veterans.

"I found out this is a way to make children more aware of what Veterans Day is actually about," Cobbett said. "I think this would be a good way, if used properly, to put the military in a positive light, because the military is what makes our country strong and what makes it the free country it is."

District 113A Superintendent Susan Birkenmaier said the waiver is not precedent-setting, meaning the district could opt to observe the holiday in the future.

Also waived during the 2013-14 school year are holidays for President Abraham Lincoln's birthday (Feb. 12) and Casimir Pulaski Day (first Monday in March).

District 113A 2013-14 Calendar

Aug. 16: Teacher Institute Day
Aug. 19: First Day of School
Sept. 2: No School – Labor Day
Sept. 20: No School – Teacher Institute Day
Oct. 14: No School – Columbus Day
Oct. 31: Half-Day – Teacher In-Service Day
Nov. 1: No School – Teacher Institute Day
Nov. 12: End of First Trimester
Nov. 14-15: Parent-Teacher Conferences
Nov. 25-29: No School – Fall Break/ Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 21 - Jan. 5: Winter Break
Jan. 20: No School – Martin Luther King’s Birthday
Feb. 17: No School – Presidents Day
Feb. 18: No School – Teacher Institute Day
Feb. 27: End of Second Trimester
Feb. 28: Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 28: Half-Day – Teacher In-Service Day
March 29 - April 6: Spring Break
April 18: No School – Easter Break
May 16: Half-Day – Teacher In-Service Day
May 26: No School – Memorial Day
May 30: Tentative Last Day of School

Note: If needed, “inclement weather days” will be held June 2-6.

Do you think District 113A should be holding school on Veterans Day?

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