Schools differ on MLK, Jr. Day attendance

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)  For some Fort Wayne students, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day meant no school.  But for others, it meant a different lesson in the classroom.  When looking for the reason behind these differences, NewsChannel 15 discovered different schools of thought.

Teachers at Ossian Elementary taught students about King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement Monday afternoon.  It marked the first year the holiday was a regular day of attendance, not a snow make-up day at Northern Wells Schools.  Superintendent Scott Mills explained why.

“Where's the education best for students at this time of year?” Mills asked.  “Is it at home in front of the TV, or is it in a classroom with a teacher directing instruction?  We think it's better with the students to be in school with the teacher directing instruction.”

That was not the case at Fort Wayne Community Schools.  Students in that district had the day off.  A handful of Towles Montessori School students used the free day for service.  They wrote thank-you notes to the PTA.

“I think it is a good opportunity,” said Anne Duff, parent and member of the Bunch-Towles Montessori Schools PTA.  “If they have the day off, they should do something, whether it's attend a MLK, Jr. event or do some kind of service project, so that they understand the importance of this day and why they are out of school.”

Both plans aim to educate the next generation on King, Jr.  But each has a very different answer on the way to do it.

“When we take a look at a holiday, we want to look at what's the overall educational purpose that's going to be served.  Is that better having students at home or having students at school?” Mills asked.

Northwest Allen Community Schools is the only district in Allen County to have classes Monday.  Superintendent Chris Himsel thinks it's a better way to meet curriculum requirements and ease child-care issues caused by having the day off.

Watch Adam Widener's full story: