Today is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, a national holiday within the United States which focuses on parents bringing their children to their workplace one day a year, but due to PARCC testing, PGCPS has cancelled this year’s celebration, and schools will not excuse absences for the holiday.

According to the National Women’s History Museum, this program originated in New York City in 1992 as a project to help girls realize that being smart was something to be proud of and that gender should not be a major factor to their preferred profession. In 1993, this project broadened to a national level and was then called, “Take Our Daughters to Work Day.” Finally, in 2003, it expanded to include boys, which led to the new title, “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.” This celebration takes place annually every fourth Thursday in April.

Traditionally, this is an excused absence from school, but because of the PARCC testing schedule, the district has decided to make it an unexcused absence for this year. Students must come to school whether or not they are scheduled to take the test.

Ms. Allison Galloway said she agreed with the decision. “I think it’s a good idea for this year because it cuts into testing,” she said. “People have gone to work with their parents before so I don’t think they’ll miss much. Some people just use it as an excuse to get out of school.”

Many students, however, have a different outlook on this last minute change.

“It’s a national day. For them to say it’s not okay for me to go out with my parents is upsetting. My mom works at a hospital and I would love to spend a day with her there,” said senior Alyse Wells.

Freshman Grace Seo said, “That’s annoying. I just wanted to go to my dad’s work because they have activities, but since it’s unexcused, my parents will definitely not let me go.”

Some, like junior Ivy Antunes, have already made plans. “I get their reasons,” she said, “but it’s also not fair because I already made plans.”