Veterans Day to Remain a Holiday for Fairfield Schools

Fairfield's veterans turned out in full force Tuesday to defend the recognition of Veterans Day in the public schools -- and their voices were heard.

School will remain closed in observance of Veterans Day for the upcoming 2013-2014 school year. Board member Jennifer Maxon Kennelly, who had said at the Nov. 27 meeting she wanted to discuss the holiday at Tuesday's meeting, did not make a motion to hold class this upcoming Veterans Day.

"I am completely in agreement with veterans that Fairfield did a poor job in the early 2000s when school was held on Veterans Day," she said, referring to the schools' opportunities to teach students about veterans on the holiday -- but she did note make a motion to hold class instead.

Pamela Iacono, the school board vice chair, announce that she wants the board to make it a matter of policy that school remain closed on Veterans Day in the future, so that Fairfield's veterans do not have to come to the calendar adoption meeting every year to fight for their day off.

"We served yesterday, we serve today, and we'll be here serving tomorrow," Tom Quinn, Commander of American Legion Post 143, said. He read a note from students thanking him for visiting Stratfield School ahead of this past Veterans Day, and thanked the teachers and schools that do teach about veterans.

"Thank you very much, and please keep Veterans Day as a holiday," Quinn said.

Additionally, the motion to start school two days early, on Tuesday, Aug. 27 instead of Thursday, Aug. 29, was voted down. The 2013-2014 school year will start on Thursday, Aug. 29 with the last day scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, weather-pending.

The board did not add February break back into the calendar. A four-day weekend (Friday, Feb. 14 - Monday, Feb. 17) is scheduled instead.