Note:  Stacey Gregg is a member of Morris County NOW

Morris schools unite

on MLK day observances

by Paula Saha, Star Ledger, nj.com, August 23, 2007

As public school students in Morris County head back to school this fall, all of their schedules will for the first time include a holiday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The number of districts that stayed open on the state and federal holiday -- which falls on Jan. 21 next year -- has dwindled steadily over the last few years.  Some districts will continue to hold staff development days for teachers on the holiday honoring the slain civil rights leader.

But the three districts that continued to have classes on the holiday last year -- Boonton Township, Mountain Lakes and Mendham Township -- all changed the calendar this time.

"I think that's wonderful," said Felicia Jamison, chairwoman of the Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Committee in Morris County.  "I think it's important that children have a chance to observe the importance of Dr. King."

The changes are due in part to the efforts of Rockaway Township mother Stacey Gregg, who made the issue a personal campaign.  Gregg's ultimate goal is to get all districts across the state to give their students a holiday on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

She is particularly aiming her efforts in Bergen County, she said, where 55 of 78 districts are scheduled to be closed on Jan. 21.