Holidays
District schools shall be closed on the following holidays: (Education Code 37220)
New Year's Day January 1
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Third Monday in January or the
Monday or Friday of the week in which January 15 occurs
Lincoln Day The Monday or Friday of the week in which February 12 occurs
Washington Day Third Monday in February
Memorial Day Last Monday in May
Independence Day July 4
Labor Day First Monday in September
Veterans Day November 11
Thanksgiving Day The Thursday in November designated by the President
Christmas Day December 25
(cf. 6141.2 - Recognition of Religious Beliefs and Customs)
In addition, schools shall be closed on any day designated by the Governor or President for a holiday, any special or limited holiday on which the Governor provides that the schools shall close, and any other day designated as a holiday by the Boards of Trustees and/or negotiated with employee organizations. (Education Code 37220)
Holidays which fall on a Sunday shall be observed the following Monday. Holidays which fall on a Saturday shall be observed the preceding Friday. If any of the above holidays occurs under federal law on a date different from that indicated above, the Boards of Trustees may close the schools on the date recognized by federal law instead of on the date above. (Education Code 37220)
(cf. 6111 - School Calendar)
Commemorative Exercises
District schools shall hold exercises in accordance with law to commemorate the following special days: (Education Code 37220, 37221, 45460)
U.S. Constitution and Citizenship Day On or near September 17
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day The Friday before the day schools are closed for this holiday
Abraham Lincoln's Birthday The school day before the day schools are closed for this holiday
Susan B. Anthony Day February 15
George Washington's Birthday The Friday preceding the third Monday in February
Black American Day March 5
Conservation, Bird, and Arbor Day March 7
Classified Employee Week Third week in May
Commemorative exercises shall be integrated into the regular educational program to the extent feasible.
(cf. 6142.94 - History-Social Science Instruction)
(cf. 6142.3 - Civic Education)
Patriotic Exercises
Each school shall conduct patriotic exercises daily, which may include the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States and/or instruction that promotes understanding of the concepts of "pledge," "allegiance," "republic," and "indivisible" and understanding of the importance of the pledge as an expression of patriotism, love of country, and pride in the United States. (Education Code 52720, 52730)
At elementary schools, such exercises shall be conducted at the beginning of each school day. (Education Code 52720)
At secondary schools, such exercises shall be conducted during the homeroom period.
A student may choose not to participate in the flag salute or Pledge of Allegiance for personal reasons.
Display of Flag
The flag of the United States and the flag of California shall be displayed during business hours at the entrance or on the grounds of every district school and on or near the district office. At all times, the national flag shall be placed in the position of first honor. (Government Code 431, 436; 4 USC 6)
When displayed on a building or on a flagstaff in the open, the national flag shall be displayed only from sunrise to sunset unless properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. The flag should not be displayed during inclement weather unless an all-weather flag is used. (4 USC 6)
The national flag shall fly at half-staff on the following occasions: (4 USC 7)
1. For 30 days from the death of the President or a former President
2. For 10 days from the death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives
3. From the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a secretary of an executive or military department, former Vice President, or the Governor of a state
4. On the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress
5. On Memorial Day, until noon only
6. On Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15), unless it falls on Armed Forces Day
7. Upon a proclamation from the Governor in the event of the death of a present or former official of the state government or a member of the Armed Forces from the state who has died while serving on active duty
8. On other occasions by order of the President and in accordance with presidential instructions or orders
Regulation LANCASTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
approved: August 18, 2020 Lancaster, California