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Religious equality for all students

105 Comments

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Anonymous
5 years ago

One day won’t hinder the school system. Family values and traditions more important these days then ever . Our world doesn’t seem to value meaningful family holidays and closeness anymore. Please consider adjusting your calendar by one day.

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Gary Schwendinger
5 years ago

Go for it!

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Naomi Shapiro
5 years ago

The school start date needs to be changed. This is a day Jewish students take off and it is considered an excused absence. The first day of school is important and students should not have to choose between their faith and school. There also may be teachers who look unkindly at missing students on the first day.

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Emily Barkley
5 years ago Featured

We would not start school on important Christian holidays like Christmas or Easter, therefore, we should not start the school year on an important Jewish holiday. It’s 2021. Be accepting of others, be respectful, and be flexible (it’s only one day!) Other school districts have made the adjustment, EP should also!

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Will Callahan
5 years ago

Although the separation of church and state are a necessary tenet of American government, I believe that students of all faiths should have their major religious holidays respected, affording the same rights in this case to Jewish students that their Christian classmates have. Please do not force students and families to choose between celebrating a high holiday or attending the first day of school; instead, delay the start of school by one day to show that you value your students from all faith backgrounds.

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Gina Keenan
5 years ago

We’ve learned in 2020 that we can be flexible with our educational models. Hopefully that will continue in situations like this.

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niamya holloway
5 years ago

i hope this gets far

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Laura Howe
5 years ago

i support this 100%!!!

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Ryan Tavlin
5 years ago Featured

When I was one of the few Jewish EPHS students back in the mid-90s, this was a bit of a problem for me, too. I would hope the district could concede the one day. I don't think folks would even ask if it weren't the FIRST day.

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Anonymous
5 years ago

EP class of '94

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Marie holleman
5 years ago

Don’t be ridiculous eden prairie school board. Move the start date back one day!!!!!

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margie s
5 years ago

This is totally insensitive to religous rights

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Adeline
5 years ago

This would be very disrespectful

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MARTI C BENSON
5 years ago

This is a no-brainer. Come on! Would this even be a question if it were Christmas or Easter? Absolutely not. Because our society is naturally built around Christian beliefs and values. We need to be more inclusive. We need to be more open. I don't see either in the way this situation is currently being handled, and it makes me embarrassed to be an alumnus of EPHS. Get it together, do the right thing, and be an example to the kids you're trying to teach.

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Jen Eslinger
5 years ago

EP resident and EPHS Class of ‘97

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Carri Sullivan
5 years ago

Come on, EP. We can do better!

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Kirsten Johnson
5 years ago

EPHS Class of 1997

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Kristy Winegarner
5 years ago

1997 Alumni

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Anna Levengood
5 years ago

EPHS class of ‘97

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Josh Tavel
5 years ago

EP I’m having a hard time rationalizing why school has to start on one of the most important days of the year for our Jewish community. Please consider moving the start date 1 day.