Why Students Need Jan. 20 Off
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The Nov. 24 editorial "History Lesson" made several valid points about the problems of canceling school on Jan. 20. But its suggestion that instead of declaring Inauguration Day a holiday in the D.C. region, schools should be lenient with students who are absent on that day and should allow students to watch the ceremony in class is simply not feasible.
First, the inauguration takes place at noon. Most students are having lunch at that time and couldn't watch it in class, even if teachers gave permission.
Second, though I can't speak for other schools, Jan. 20 is the second day of semester exams at Walt Whitman Senior High School, where I am a student. Students can't skip school that day to see the ceremony or watch it in class while they're taking their tests.
It may be a pain to schedule an extra school day to make up for not having school on Inauguration Day, but it can be done. The same can't be said of the inauguration of the first African American president in U.S. history. This is a one-time-only opportunity. Students shouldn't have to miss out.
EMMA FURTH
Bethesda
