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Glendale News-Press (California)
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
May 17, 2013 Friday
Glendale schools to take April 24 off
by: Brittany Levine, Glendale News-Press, Calif.
May 17--Glendale Unified students and teachers will have next April 24
off in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, following an agreement
signed by school officials and the teachers union this week.
Thousands of students of Armenian descent typically skip class on
April 24 to participate in commemoration events, but the high truancy
rates can decrease the school district's funding, which is tied to
attendance.
For years, parents, teachers and school officials have been discussing
making April 24 a non-work day, and finally next school year the day
off will be official.
The agreement reached on Wednesday, which lasts for a year, extends
the school year by three days, but makes Thanksgiving Break a
week-long affair and April 24 a non-instructional day.
The Armenian community hosts several events annually to commemorate
the genocide, including a march to the Turkish Embassy, and many
students take off to attend. Teachers also often request the day off.
Berdj Karapetian, chairman of the Armenian National Committee,
Glendale chapter, applauded the change in a statement Thursday.
"We commend the Glendale Unified School District and the Glendale
Teachers Assn. on their willingness to support the desire of their
students to properly pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian
Genocide without having to be absent from classes," Karapetian said.
The genocide has never been officially recognized by the U.S.
government over fears of upsetting Turkey, a military ally in the
Middle East, despite repeated recognition attempts in Congress
spearheaded by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank).
Roughly 1.5 million Armenians were massacred by Ottoman Turks from
1915 to 1918, but Turkey, the governmental descendant of the Ottoman
Empire, staunchly denies that what happened was genocide.
During the campaign this spring for three school board seats, all
candidates said they supported making April 24 a non-instructional day
to allow the Armenian community to freely commemorate the tragedy.
"We have always wanted to have April 24 as a non-work day," said Tami
Carlson, president of the teacher's union. "We're very pleased."
From: Baghdasarian
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
May 17, 2013 Friday
Glendale schools to take April 24 off
by: Brittany Levine, Glendale News-Press, Calif.
May 17--Glendale Unified students and teachers will have next April 24
off in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, following an agreement
signed by school officials and the teachers union this week.
Thousands of students of Armenian descent typically skip class on
April 24 to participate in commemoration events, but the high truancy
rates can decrease the school district's funding, which is tied to
attendance.
For years, parents, teachers and school officials have been discussing
making April 24 a non-work day, and finally next school year the day
off will be official.
The agreement reached on Wednesday, which lasts for a year, extends
the school year by three days, but makes Thanksgiving Break a
week-long affair and April 24 a non-instructional day.
The Armenian community hosts several events annually to commemorate
the genocide, including a march to the Turkish Embassy, and many
students take off to attend. Teachers also often request the day off.
Berdj Karapetian, chairman of the Armenian National Committee,
Glendale chapter, applauded the change in a statement Thursday.
"We commend the Glendale Unified School District and the Glendale
Teachers Assn. on their willingness to support the desire of their
students to properly pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian
Genocide without having to be absent from classes," Karapetian said.
The genocide has never been officially recognized by the U.S.
government over fears of upsetting Turkey, a military ally in the
Middle East, despite repeated recognition attempts in Congress
spearheaded by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank).
Roughly 1.5 million Armenians were massacred by Ottoman Turks from
1915 to 1918, but Turkey, the governmental descendant of the Ottoman
Empire, staunchly denies that what happened was genocide.
During the campaign this spring for three school board seats, all
candidates said they supported making April 24 a non-instructional day
to allow the Armenian community to freely commemorate the tragedy.
"We have always wanted to have April 24 as a non-work day," said Tami
Carlson, president of the teacher's union. "We're very pleased."
From: Baghdasarian