Flagler Jewish Students Seek Holy Day Absence Clarifications

As the High Holy Days approach, Flagler County Public Schools' Jewish students, with the help of Temple Beth Shalom and Rabbi Merrill Shapiro have turned to Superintendent Bill Delbrugge for clarification of the system's excused absence policy. State of Florida Statutes Chapter 1003.21 and Flagler County School Board Policy 533 provide that "Students may be excused from school for observance of established religious holidays or for religious instruction."

Making the statutes and the policy well-known is part of an effort to bring young people into the sanctuary of Temple Beth Shalom on Rosh HaShannah! But questions still remain.

Among the questions raised by Rabbi Shapiro in a letter to Superintendent Delbrugge are issues of practical application. On behalf of Jewish students in the Flagler School system, Delbrugge has been asked if Policy 533 means that students will, in some way be penalized by make-up tests and quizzes that are more difficult than original tests and quizzes. Will assignments due on the two days of Rosh HaShannah, Thursday, September 13th and Friday, September 14th be accepted on the first day students return to school, Monday, September 17th? Will assignments made on September 13th and 14th be communicated to students? Will students who attend services, devoting themselves to sacred Jewish traditions be rendered ineligible for attendance awards?

Shapiro, on behalf of the Jewish community expressed support for Flagler Public Schools and a willingness to help in any way possible. Many students and their families have been urged to avail themselves of the rights and privileges granted by Board Policy 533 and by Florida Statutes. The voices of young people in the midst of a worshipping Jewish congregation always bring joy and delight to the faithful gathered to celebrate Jewish Holy Days!