(Editor's Note: This letter was originally sent to Superintendent of Levittown Schools Dr. Herman Sirois and is being printed here at the author's request.)

I have to say, few things irritate me as much as a vacuous premise under the guise of "celebration."

Friday, Nov. 10, the students of the district were given the day off due to Veterans Day even though the holiday is actually the next day, Saturday! There is no, absolutely no, reason why kids and teachers needed Friday off - the holiday was celebrated on Saturday. In calling the main office I was told the day was given off because it's a "celebration" of the veterans. Well then, did the district have a parade? Visit V.A. hospitals? Kids write cards and send them to those who gave limbs or minds? Free lunches sent to the VFW halls? "Thank you" notices put in local papers? Warriors invited to tell tales at schools? No. No. No. No.

Oh, I see, it's a celebration because it's a day off.... I get it. All the flag waving, all the decorations are what? I think "vacuous" comes to mind.

In addition to the above, in giving the day off you now have parents who have to scramble to make alternative arrangements for their kids' care. I'm out of this category, but I do hear stories of mothers frantic with choices for this unnecessary day off. By the way, the holiday is not unnecessary, it's extremely necessary as a reminder, but having a day off when the holiday is the next day, a Saturday, is without question ridiculous.

My older son is an Army Ranger who has been to Afghanistan on three occasions these past few years.

Mary Ellen Orchard