With all due respect, someone who observes Diwali, Christmas, and Chanukah sounds a bit mixed up to me.

I am saddened that Ms Capoa would be willing to give up such an important (notice I didn't say "popular") holiday such as Good Friday, which is arguably one of the most important days of the church year. Perhaps a better choice would be the day after Thanksgiving, or something similar.

Although Hanukkah is acknowledged as a religious holiday, the schools are not always closed for the holiday. In 2013 Hanukkah will be celebrated from 11/27- 12/5 and there will be no official school closing during this time, specific to Hanukkah. As always,Winter Recess revolves around Xmas, not Hanukkah. Spring Recess revolves around Easter, not Passover. If the holiday is important enough to the family, perhaps they can take it upon themselves to make it an official holiday for themselves. Rather than try and change an entire school calendar, perhaps it would be easier to make your own family time, just as I have done when I felt it necessary to observe our religious holidays.

We are fortunate to live in a town with tremendous diversity in ethnicity, culture and religion. There are many other religious holidays that are observed in addition to Diwali throughout the year. Where do you draw the line on which ones should be school holidays. If Ms. Karda feels strongly that her child needs to take a day off from school to observe, than please by all means do so. But with all due respect, please do not make thoe ~90 % of us saddled with additional work and childcare challenges.

If parents want to take Diwali off, then keep your kids home for Diwali. But the vast majority of the teachers and kids are not taking Diwali off, so suck it up. If you want Diwali off, move to India.

The ignorance of those who don't celebrate Diwali is absolutely insulting. It is an extremely important holiday and should be recognized by the school in some way. It is easy to see where Ms Karda's concerns are stemming from. There is absolutely no reason one should told be told to "move to India" due to the fact they repect their religion. If you can't respond to someone's opinions in a professional, knowledgeable and appropriate manner, don't bother discussing the subject at all.

How about we include the Epiphany, Chinese New Year (a whole week in February, Easter Monday, Purim, Shavuot, Sukkot, Immaculate Conception and Republic Day and Independence Day for any country that is represented in town. We can cut the school year from 180 days to 160. Then we can use all that money we have saved for college to add a small addition to our homes. We will need it because when our kids do not make it into good colleges and universities due to attempts of the school board to placate everyone in town, they will be staying with us forever, starting with their commute to our expanding stable of community colleges. All of our top universities will be attended by foreigners who chose to study while in school.

I apologize for the sarcasm. How about we just follow the federal holiday schedule and focus on education? No winners, no losers in the battle for "my holiday". Teachers and staff can and should be directed to avoid "heavy" workloads on days that may "stress" students so that they can take a personal day.

We should not add Diwali. We should focus on having our children IN school. Our schools do a great job acknowledging many holidays. Remember, while our BOE does a great job listening to parents, THIS IS PUBLIC SCHOOL. You want more, go private. Go to: www.state.nj.us/education/genfo/holidays.htm for the states words on student rites for holidays not deemed as days off from school. Clearly no child suffers.

The State website is clear STRAIGHT FACTS AND NO EMOTION which is how the BOE should look at this topic. I think it is appalling the lack of care of timing for the push for Diwali. Our schools were closed due to Sandy and at the first BOE meeting back (not this one being written about but in November) while the BOE is trying to figure out storm days for the current calender here are the Diwali representatives asking for the day off. If we had Diwali off this past November we could have come back from Sandy and then been off on November 13th for Diwali. We are a community that is pro education, that is why our children are here in Basking Ridge, would that day off had been of any value to our children?

The BOE did a great job fixing our 2012-2013 schedule. Taking away an American Federal Holiday and looking at other holidays to skim from. We need our children in school. A child can handle missing a day of school and make up the work. We all make those choices without imposing on others.

As a pagean, I'm going to petition the school board to make Halloween a school holiday!

Karda said that she moved here for the schools which I assume means the tremendous education afforded to the children in Bernards Township. When she moved here she knew the schools calendar did not include a day off for Diwali. The BOE is elected to continue to enhance and improve the education and learning skills our children receive. They should not be saddled with decisions as it relates to religion of any kind. If the Indian community wants to have the holiday recognized, please take this up the State of New Jersey Department of Education and allow our school board to focus on decisions that will continue to improve all of our children's experience in the classroom.

Once you start appeasing every minority group, you are on a very slippery slope - educate the children about various religious/cultural holidays in social studies.

I have very dear Indian friends who celebrate Diwali. All are well traveled and true adventurers. They have had no problem taking their children from school for a cruise, Disney, on a trip to Prague, Costa Rica, London, Beijing etc. Don't put parenting on the Board. Make choices for your own family regarding what days are important to you. Leave the Board to create a calendar where our children are in school and learning about holidays and important Americans (like MLK).

If a child is out of school make up the work. That is life; in school; in college; in a career.

Once you start appeasing every minority group, you are on a very slippery slope - educate the children about various religious/cultural holidays in social studies instead.

Hey RGMKT, to be fair to all, why don't we take all the days off away from school including winter break (Xmas week), Spring break, Good Friday, Rosh Hashanah etc. Do you think that would be fair?

What % of our school population is Indian...what % is Chinese? Would love to know these numbers because I guarantee they won't support another day off for the entire school system. I respect the fact that the Indian population has it's own religious holidays, but the PUBLIC school system can't take off every day that each ethnic/religious group wants off. I assume the Muslims will want off their religious days also? Where does it stop? I know it sounds callous (and I don't mean for it to), but you knew what this country was when you came here, so stop trying to change it. If you want this to be "India" then you should return to India.

I love the ethnic diversity of this country and of this town. I love how we can learn about other cultures and holidays and share in their celebration. However, I am opposed to declaring official school days off for each ethnic group's holidays. As earlier posters have argued, where do you draw the line? There are plenty of Chinese students in the district, so if you add Diwali, why not add Chinese New Year as well? I'm not being facetious -- honestly, it would be a fair question to ask. And if you think about adding Diwali in that larger context, the answer has to be 'no'. Otherwise it would just open up a can of worms that this district doesn't need. There's no need for rude remarks -- I think we can have a civil discussion about this request. But then it is time for the Board to decide against it and focus their attention on more pressing issues.

It is amazing to see so much of hatred towards other religious holidays in this township, especially when we know this is a diverse community. It is a shame to see how people can respond negatively with the choicest of words on articles written by journalists, but not have the courage or time to come out to the BOE meetings pick up that mic. and say these comments out loud. I guess people love spreading negativity around, hence such comments. We have our BOE members trying to expand horizons in getting children from our township to learn more about other cultures and religions encouraging different kind of celebrations in schools etc., on the other hand we have parents who dislike other cultures or holidays/religions because "THEY" do not want it to be given. Isn't it a little too unfair to say I want Christmas holidays for 10 days although Jesus Christ was born only on 25th, I want Winter break because I am used to it and I want "my family" to ski, I want Good Friday because I have been getting it in the past, although I spend half my day on the internet and not all day in church praying to GOD, I want Spring Break because "I have booked my family vacation" and I want 3 months summer break because "I want my family to go to the beach house. Never has the Indian community asked for the number of school days to be reduced, we have asked for the others holidays to be adjusted around to accommodate one Diwali, which is very much possible for the BOE members.

GOD bless!

HBSR
You are not reading the same comments I am. I see no hatred in any of these comments. Just common sense. If you want to celebrate the holiday, keep your kids home until the State of New Jersey recognizes this as a school holiday, at which time Bernards Township will recognize as well.
I feel no hatred, but I must admit I feel extremely frustrated as I type this message.
You sense hatred and resentment yet I read about beach houses, ski vacations and family vacations.
Christmas Holidays for 10 days, please don't exaggerate. Please lump in Chanukah and New Years. I would stand next to you and complain with you that we celebrate 10 days for the birth of Jesus Christ.
Currently on 2 towns in all of NJ recognize the holiday on the school calendar....
NJ.COM Published: Sunday, October 23, 2011, 8:30 AM Updated: Sunday, October 23, 2011, 1:11 PM
"Of the approximately 9,100 students in the East Brunswicks 12 schools, McCartney said, about one-third are of Indian descent and many are of the Hindu faith."
Passaic is the only other district in the state that closes school for Diwali, the festival of lights.

A THIRD of the students are Indian. Not less than 1/10th.

Please take this up with the Star Ledger, and the State of New Jersey, not Bernards Township. Again, we will all support and recognize the holiday as soon as the state does.Stop distracting our BOE and putting them in an uncomfortable position each time they meet. They are only trying to improve our already competitive and very well respected curriculum and calendar.

Response to Public Schools - my comment was " why don't people on this thread come out to the BOE meetings pick up that mic. and say THESE comments out loud."

Please read your 6th stanza in the lengthy response and then read out your 4th stanza, keep reading it until you realize what you are trying to say.

Oh! BTW, please also read your first response to the article on "don't put parenting on the Board". Why did we have so many parents talking at the BOE meeting after Sandy, asking the BOE members to keep the spring holidays as well as the Feb holidays and to change the "Board Policy" since Sandy was one of a kind that crippled the entire town and asking Gov. Christie to waive off 5 school days.

My dear friend we can go on and on with our debate. Let's respect others to be respected!

Easter is on a Sunday.

RC, I meant Good Friday is not a Federal Holiday.

HBSR,

I don't believe your topic has been on an agenda for any Board Meeting since the idea has been raised but brought up during public comment. I am sure if it were an actual agenda item you would have more attend. Public comment brings many topics. Anyone can speak to the board, no questions asked, no rebuttal. I am not reading any comments on this thread that can not be said in a conversation or in the public comment portion of a meeting. Other then the obvious comment about moving if you don't like it (paraphrase) which is a comment not worth addressing when having a real discussion on topic.

There is no venom in my words and the words of others that I am reading above who have written valid points.

My opinion stands as does yours, and so the world keeps turning.

The demographics indicate we do have a fairly large Indian community in the school district and would like the Board to consider Diwali as a school Holiday. It would be beneficial for all Indian American families to celebrate the holiday and partake in all the festivities without being rushed or miss a day of instructional time at school. It is important for students of Indian origin to grow up knowing and experiencing their holiday and feeling accepted and integrated in the American community. This is what makes this country so unique and special......It is a melting pot of several cultures that have learned to live in harmony and respect each others beliefs. The 2 things that attract people to this school district is firstly the strong educational values and secondly the diversity. This school year we were happy to see the Board was able to accommodate 2 Jewish holidays and the rest of the community made the necessary arrangements for childcare etc. We hope the Board will get creative and make the same accommodations for Diwali as well. Also, please do not make comments such as ''if you want Diwali as a holiday, you need to go back to India" This town/country is as much our home as it is yours. We need to evolve as a community and adapt to changes in the demographics.

The request for Diwali is justified, considering the demographics. I am so glad we have Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Good Friday, Christmas and MLK off. Would be so simple to take away the Feb break and keep all the above holidays and add Diwali. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for all children in our township to understand and appreciate each other’s cultures…..wouldn’t embracing diversity become a step toward educating our children about global citizenship. Don’t we want our children to broaden their horizons and not remain narrow and old fashioned in their thinking. Then why such hesitation.

Ok, I've made my decision, NO Diwali , end of discussion.
Will the last one out please turn out the lights

Fact: The jewish community has TWO of their religious days off on the calender when they are less than 5% of the population. I respect both my jewish and my indian friends and their religions and cultures. Personally I do not want any more days off. Time to take a look at the calender.

It seems an essential part of this issue boils down to whether we want to keep a full week off each February and April — which has always seemed to be a popular arrangement in this community. But as another commenter pointed out, that isn't the case in many school districts, including neighboring Somerset Hills.

Here's a fun fact about our community: according to a valid and reliable source Basking Ridge's population is 4% Jewish and 9% South Asian. Tell me how the Jewish population can get two days off and the South Asian population can't even get one. I'm not saying that South Asians should have the day off, its just unfair for the small Jewish populations to have two days off. What is the most appalling about this issue is the lack of respect for other religions. Why can't everyone agree to disagree with the proposal instead of posting nasty and hateful comments? Shouldn't we be commending the South Asian community for being so passionate and persistent about their beliefs? Instead, the community is posting hurtful things to their friends, neighbors and co-workers. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and it should be respected. If you disagree with the proposal go attend a meeting and speak your mind. Using a fake alias on the internet to bash others makes you a coward.

For the next two school years, (as it was in past years), there is only one day off for the Jewish holidays, but there are 3 days of important Jewish holidays (actually many more, including Passover). So Jewish kids, and teachers, do miss at least one day taking off for Yom Kippur, and as Rosh Hashana is traditionally a two day holiday, many miss a second for that too. So taking one day off for Diwali or any other holiday presents no greater problem for those students. The key is to educate the district to make sure teachers schedule tests etc. to minimize problems for anyone absent for religious observance, and to communicate with your child's teacher. The kids who fast for Ramadan or can't eat bread on Passover, or have school the day after a late night Seder, all make adjustments, as they will do in the workplace someday.

N- U r just too funny :) I sure spent many more years than you did attending school/college, that is one reason why I am here explaining to people like "N" on why Diwali should be given a holiday as I did learn about global culture and not only the culture of the country I grew up in....wonder when people like you will ever grow up :)

HBSR: "that they want to be stuck on with their old school of thoughts"....this is the most insulting comment I've actually seen on this thread. My deepest apologies for still embracing the traditions and holidays that my country has honored and kept for the past 200 years. So, it sounds like, you think we should get rid of all these ridiculous "old school" holidays and add new ones. Ridiculous.

Dear Miles, I think you're not reading it correctly. What HBSR is trying to say is that if you really wanted to be fair and let children learn how to make adjustment in real life then mind as well take away all the religious holidays. HBSR is not referring that old school holidays be taken away and it should be replaced with new ones.

HBSR and Ester are hostile in tone. Yes, Americans want their country as they grew up. We take off for Christmas Break which includes New Year. Will you start going after Novartis for doing the same? Or just a public school board?

Many immigrants, including myself, moved her for America and what it offers. For how it is. I am happy to blend with America not try to change it.

You are in a different country stop spit on it. You talk about Americans like they are dogs. It is sad what HSBR represents, hatred. Putting down Americans for how you found them. No one forced you to move here. I am happy to be new to the country. Stop writing with this Bozo. And Ester, the quick commentary is not even worth noting. I love this country. The special days in my culture are not off from school I do for my family what I need.

Forget writing them it is not worth it. I love America.

All this talk about how those against Diwali being on the school calendar; cant embrace diversity, make an adjustment, feel sorry for you, ignorant, are less educated, disingenuous, want things a certain way because it will hurt their pocketbook, internet shop on good friday says to me that the Indian Community that is spitting this venom have not embraced where they have moved to, made the adjustment, been educated on those who celebrate the Christian and Jewish holidays, can't mix with the American population they moved in with. I never looked at the Indian community like this before. Very sad to read that there is so much hatred for the country they moved to. Thank you Mexico for the immigrants voice of someone who loves being here. My parents came from Italy we were brought up with the American traditions as well as our own. Thanksgiving has become one of our favorite holidays. I love that my parents learned English and have friends of all cultures here in America. I think the writers who are anti American should take their own advice and turn their word on themselves. What a terrible way to represent their culture.

You are right Mexico writing them is not worth it.

Wow, that's a lot of comments! I carefully read all of them, sometimes I got the feeling that people just refuse to hear each other.
What I learnt is that Indian community (or maybe I should say Aisan, since not only Indians celebrate it) wants Diwali to become an official day off in Basking Ridge schools and is very upset that other 90% do not like this idea. I got the feeling that people who would like Diwali to become an official day off ascribe protest of others to their ignorance and intolerance to other cultures. The part of the community that opposes the day off, on the other hand, has nothing against Diwali per say, they just don't like to deal with the consequences which are kids missing a day of learning, making child care arrangements or taking an unnecessary day off from work, and etc. I tried to educate myself on how Diwali is celebrated. From what I learned, Diwali is a religious holiday that consists of 3 to 5 days of celebration and it is an official holiday in number of Asian countries. And please correct me if I wrong, the celebration include cleaning the house (which is done on the first day), decorating the house with traditional motifs. And on the most important day of a festival, which is being requested as a day off, people wear new clothes, burn lamps at night, eat traditional meal and exchange gifts. I am sorry, but I don't understand why it is so important to have a full day off for that.

I'm just finishing my comment:)
So, after school hours are not enough for above mentioned activities? I could understand orthodox christians asking for a day off on some religious holidays, celebration of which includes a special All-Night Vigil that is celebrated from late at night on the eve of the feast until early the next morning. And it is usually followed by a breakfast feast shared together by the congregation. I don't say I would support it, I'm just saying I could understand it. It's hard to go to school if you spent the whole night in a church. I case of Diwali, I think it's reasonable to ask not to give kids home work on that day and not to schedule any tests on a day of Diwali and the day after.

HSBC
Why do you say this township is doing so well because of its diversity?
That's just politically correct nonsense! The anger this thread and the mosque application are generating are just a few examples of how diversity is starting to affect this town negatively

As a third generation American, I absolutely love the diversity in this town. Appalled at some of the comments. Sorry to see how some people are taking it too far with the insults. Everybody posting mean spirited and nasty comments in the name of a healthy discussion should restrain themselves from doing that. As someone suggested.........time to turn the lights out on this one.

Perhaps it is time to bring respectful comments before the Board of Education, since they are discussing future calendars at this time. The next scheduled meeting is 7 p.m. on Jan. 28 at the William Annin Middle School.

Basking Ridge has thousands of squirrels, accordingly I believe the kids should have a formal holiday for National Squirrel Appreciation Day.

This is a very slippery slope... after Diwali is added, then Chinese New Year, then Halloween.... you are right it will be Squirrel Appreciation Day! They have the numbers and apparently that is most important.
This is a PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM people! You want YOUR religious days off? Go to a Religious School! Let's get back to Separation of Church & State... what America is founded in.. you have rights to go elsewhere....