Many of you have pm'd me asking for an update. The school board held the meeting. They decided they can continue to provide the empty classroom, but are understaffed and can't provide a supervisor. They asked for the parents of the students who wish to pray to volunteer to supervise. Not a single one volunteered. Not one volunteered to help their child fulfill their religious requirement. So they left it with asking them to talk amongst themselves to see if they can come up with a rotating schedule for volunteers. They are also claiming they are going to hire additional lunchtime supervisors because even without the prayer issue, they are grossly understaffed. So there it is. Even though my own kids don't go to that school (as some of you felt the need to point out-really they don't??) I am happy with this outcome because I care about my nephew and his safety at recess.
For the obligatory question: What are you all making for dinner tonight? I need some new dinner ideas. Have a wonderful day!
I wasn't surprised either that the parents didn't want to volunteer. I guess they seemed indifferent to the fact that all of the other kids were being inadequately supervised. You can't have your cake and eat it too. I agree that if they find it to be important and required, they will figure something out.
Rebecca, if you look at my other post you can get the background.
Thanks for all of the dinner ideas so far!! I'll have to get that pizza taco recipe. It sounds very kid-friendly!
@Danielle, call it judgement if you want. The parents of these students didn't say they were too busy, they just shrugged their shoulders and said it was their right for their kids to have supervised prayer at lunch time. When my SIL and the others mentioned the rights of ALL of the kids to be properly supervised at recess, they seemed indifferent. Like I said, you can't have your cake and eat it too. The school is trying to compromise.
Wow! What an incredibly respectful recommendation that reflects a real sense of shared accountability. If it is very importat to the parents, they will find a way to supervise.
As for dinner... chicken fajitas. Easy and all the ingredients are usually hanging out in the fridge by the end of the week!
Before we rush to say, "Oh the parents won't help," perhaps we should consider that maybe they just couldn't make a commitment on the spot. It is quite likely that they are recent immigrants and have dual income homes. That is quite common amongst Muslims in the Chicago area.
I'm a SAHM, but I know that I am never able to volunteer/commit to a specific day/time when put on the spot by my son's school. I need to arrange for babysitters, check my schedule for other conflicts, etc. I am sure that they will work it out amongst their group.
My kids are begging for the Cheesy Pasta Taco recipe that Mom2KCK gave me last week. So they are getting it.
As to this - I'm glad that the school board did NOT assign a person to supervise.
I'm also VERY sad that the parents aren't doing anything. It chaps my hide when people beg or plead or even scream for something - they get it but it's not just the way they wanted it - so pooh on you. URGH!!! I would've volunteered to support my kids in prayer(s). Wonder what their excuse is.
Chicken/stuffing bake.
Sounds like they did the right thing by providing the classroom and allowing volunteers to supervise. Hopefully, the parents will step up and do the right thing as well.
I'm confused - where is there a religious requirement for children that requires them to pray at school? If it was that important to the families, I would think that the parents would enroll them in a private/religious school, not a public school.
yay, great result by the school, for a change
i am not surprised by no one volunteering
havent decided on dinner yet
I don't think for a minute the Muslim parents are home eating popcorn and are refusing to help just to be difficult (very judgemental though), we don't know what their schedule is like. I'm also sure by having a whole school board issue over it they feel really welcome right?
When I spent tons of hours volunteering at my daughter's elementary school, very little of my time actually was interacting with her. I would be happy to supervise those children and I'm as religious as my diet pepsi bottle.
I hope your sister sees that her child as well as MANY others need additional supervision and has altered her schedule to do the right thing.
For dinner...room service at the Marriott.
Oh the judgement is amazing. They, like any one of you, may not be able to supervise because, like anyone else, the either a) have other small children they are in charge of (and my child's school does not let you bring babies when volunteering AND you have to have a physical/tb test on file to even do it). B) may WORK and can't leave in the middle of the day every day. To assume they won't for negative reason really shows the bias.
Update: what I see is cultural insensitivity. My sons school has a high population of Muslim students. The way some cultures communicate is very different from our own, just like many other cultures. Couple that with how they are vilified and what you may perceive as "indifferent" may not be to them. Did you actually go or did you hear they were indifferent by word of mouth from someone else's opinion of what indifferent looks like? No matter. And they are correct. Their children do own that right.
Thanks for the update. I am glad they plan to hire more staff, 2 people to supervise 140 children is ludacris. As for the praying, if the parents aren't willing to come to school to supervise, then it obviously isn't that important to them.
Dinner: Salsa chicken - Easy. Take boneless, skinless chicken breast, cover with Pace Picante and bake. Serve with rice and a veggie. Fast, easy, delish.
Boy, you sure opened up a can of worms with that question. It figures there wouldn't be any volunteers. Anyway, I have always felt the religion and politics should not be dicussed on the site...but just my opioion. Eating out tonight!
I think it was a good resolution. It's interesting how none of the parents volunteered even though it was so important to them. I also agree, they should hire additional staff b/c that is way understaffed even without the prayer issue.
For dinner, who knows??? I have some asparagus and sweet potatoes I need to make... maybe thaw some shrimp with it?
