Schools
District 112 to Drop Columbus Day From School Calendar
'Elegant compromise' sees Fall Break replace Columbus Day in 2017. 'The right thing to do,' one board member says.

HIGHLAND PARK, IL - Columbus Day won't appear on the North Shore School District 112 calendar next year.
The Monday in October 2017 will still be an off-day for students, but will be designated as "Fall Break" on the calendar, the Highland Park News reports.
The board of education made the call, a "compromise," after some board members brought up objections to honoring Columbus based on his treatment of indigenous peoples in America.
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The district will continue to refer to Columbus Day in reporting the off-day to the state as they are required to. But in the calendar used by school families and community members, the date will be marked "Fall Break." An institute day is also planned for the following day, making it a four-day weekend.
"I think it is an elegant compromise," Board Member Jane Solmor-Mordini said. "I think we take a step in teaching our children the right thing and taking a bit of a moral stand, even though it is difficult to do."
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