Some Connecticut school districts recognize Three Kings Day as a holiday. Bridgeport State Rep. Chris Rosario will introduce a bill in the state legislative session that begins next week to broaden it to celebrate “cultural and religious significance” for Hispanic and Latino students.
Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore Chris Rosario (D-Bridgeport) is pleased to announce he is introducing a bill seeking to recognize Three Kings Day (Día de Reyes) as a holiday in Connecticut educational institutions.
“This proposal honors the cultural and religious significance of this day for Hispanic and Latino students, reflecting our commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the traditions that shape our communities,” Rep. Rosario said. “I look forward to the session ahead to work on getting this bill over the finish line.”
Hispanic and Latino students comprise a majority of the student population in many school districts across the state. While several districts already observe this holiday, others, especially in rural and suburban areas, do not.
This legislation will ensure that all students who celebrate Three Kings Day can observe it without missing important classroom time.
Chris Rosario represents the 128th District in Bridgeport. In addition to serving as Deputy Speaker of the House, he is a member of the Appropriations, Government Administration and Elections, and Transportation Committees.
REPRESENTANTE ROSARIO PRESENTA PROYECTO DE LEY
PARA RECONOCER EL DÍA DE LOS REYES MAGOS
Vicepresidente Pro Tempore Chris Rosario (D-Bridgeport) se complace en anunciar que presentará un proyecto de ley que busca reconocer el Día de Reyes como feriado en las instituciones educativas de Connecticut.
“Esta propuesta procura honrar la importancia cultural y religiosa de esta tradición, particularmente para los estudiantes hispanos y latinos, para fomentar una mayor comprensión y apreciación de las diversas tradiciones que enriquecen a nuestras comunidades,” dijo el Rep. Rosario.
Los estudiantes hispanos y latinos forman la mayoría de la población estudiantil en muchos distritos escolares en el estado. Varios distritos ya observan esta festividad, pero otros, especialmente en áreas rurales y suburbanas, no lo hacen.
Esta ley asegurará que los estudiantes que celebran el Día de los Reyes Magos tengan la oportunidad de observarlo sin perder tiempo importante de instrucción.
Chris Rosario representa el Distrito 128 en Bridgeport. Además de desempeñarse como vicepresidente Pro Tempore, es miembro de los Comités de Apropiación, Administración y Elecciones Gubernamentales y Transporte.
in summary, it appears to me that local school districts can decide on whether to observe this day based on the demographics of the district and other factors rather than a blanket policy. Ironically, the proposed policy sort of overlooks the diversity within the Latino population. I don’t mean to undermine the intention of the proposed policy, but it carries some underlying assumptions that don’t seem accurate. The other issue is that it sort of conflates religion with ethnicity. This is more so a tradition among Catholic Latinos in certain countries and should not be conflated with Latinos that are not Catholic.
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Countries That Celebrate Less or Do Not Emphasize
In some countries, the focus on Three Kings’ Day has diminished, with Christmas taking precedence or cultural factors playing a role.
Chile
Three Kings’ Day is observed in a limited capacity but is not a major holiday. Christmas gift-giving dominates.
Colombia
Celebrated in some areas, but with less emphasis. Most families focus on Christmas and New Year’s traditions.
Bolivia
Observed in some religious contexts but is less central than other holidays.
Panama
Recognized in some regions, particularly among devout Catholics, but not widely celebrated as a major holiday.
Central America (El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica)
Observed to varying degrees, primarily in rural or religious communities, but less culturally prominent than Christmas or New Year.
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Countries That Celebrate Three Kings’ Day:
In many Catholic-majority countries, Three Kings’ Day is a significant holiday, often rivaling Christmas in importance, especially for children.
Mexico
A major celebration where children receive gifts from the Three Kings on January 6.
Families share a Rosca de Reyes (King’s Cake) and celebrate with parades and religious services.
Puerto Rico
A significant tradition; children leave grass or hay for the camels of the Three Kings in exchange for gifts. Parades and festivities are common, blending Catholic and indigenous influences.
Dominican Republic
A major celebration similar to Puerto Rico; gift-giving occurs on January 6, and parades are common.
Cuba (especially in the past)
Historically celebrated but has diminished due to political and cultural changes, though it is observed in some areas.
Venezuela
Families celebrate with parades and religious traditions, though it is less emphasized than Christmas.
Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay
Observed with gifts for children, family gatherings, and traditional food like the Rosca de Reyes.
Rural areas and smaller communities tend to celebrate more robustly.
Ecuador
Celebrated with parades, processions, and church services. It often overlaps with Christmas season celebrations.
Peru
Observed in many areas, often blending with indigenous traditions, such as community feasts and parades.
Rep. Chris Rosario has a purpose in supporting this bill as he states, “our commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the traditions that shape our communities”, “including cultural and religious significance. Does ‘CIVICS’ as a school subject cover the development of communities within our State and City, and include the adjustments and freedoms allowed to the practices of religions and cultures? Is the encouragement of CIVICS, a practice of many or most elected officials? What can they point to that would support a claim that democratic, open, accountable, transparent, and honest values are part of their practices in representing the public, who bother to vote?
I am not knocking the idea of a holiday that calls minds and memories to focus on important values. But will a holiday perform this function?
I am calling on elected and appointed officials to pay more attention to regular daily practices that inform and support a belief in and attention to neighbors whom they may not know but who are necessary to the future of the communities in which they live. What is to be encouraged and supported for all to learn? Time will tell.
Seems fair, valid points,voices, considering. Good job people 🙂
Butporter, perhaps there is a bias coupled with ethnicity, but from a student and teacher, employee POV, a day off is day off.
John, to the Atheist, any function regarding religion is a negative where religious aspects they view state and religion as an entanglement. People view their particular religion as beyond reproach. I mean, how often do you hear a someone say, their practicing religion is the silver, second place. It’s not the true one, but it ‘the one my parents gave me. Even Atheist follow that form of logic in their beliefs. 🙂
What officials need to pay attention too is the actual out come of the basic three R reading, righting, and rithmetic coming out of the Urban schools system.
https://www.tiktok.com/@love2laugh_original/video/7282394561786236192
P.S. what about Lennie’s people’s? He’s still waiting on Corleone Day 🙂
https://youtu.be/AceKJoL3QaM?si=NPBv1HE-oyCw-HOk
BTW, Bptport, when I said from a student, teacher, and employee POV, a day off is a day off. Do you think anybody gives a shit of any underlining assumptions or ethnicity implications regarding Mattress Day, I mean President Day? 🙂
P.S let’s not forget the Man who made the founder of the Propher, went from F-the police
https://youtu.be/eiz08bhlk6I?si=J8DUbLvqrlK_tzBW
to playing the police 🙂
https://youtu.be/ZUnfhz2w3es?si=44qpDmHU68vfnE2u
Roby your point about a day off makes no sense because a day off in January only means it will make the school year longer. and the point about Whether ethnicity matters or not also doesn’t really make sense to me.Because this whole proposed legislation is about ethnicity and religion, Except for certain sub groups of latinos This legislation is not really relevant. Which now brings us full circle to my original point that this is probably best left for school districts to decide.
Agreed, to an extent. Three Kings Day has a much smaller subgroup who celebration the coming/birth of the Messiah, Jesus.
https://youtu.be/tXr_zWJ1j5o?si=8R_AQ2jgpipzk_Xw
[Clearly the religion and ethnicity matters] Perhaps Connecticut’s population who observes Three Kings Day is growing to a point where legislation is warranted to those who celebrate it where districts don’t give the Day off. I am sure you do see a embalanece to students whose disticts gives the day off and those who punish an observer with an absent.
For civics
https://youtu.be/EeuqpkWTUcM?si=kDxseJPzles6SRsg
more importantly why are we even having this discussion, its just a distraction. The most important conversation to have right now is the conversation about bridgeport’s schools $39 million dollar deficit. this despite the fact that bridgeport has the second highest property taxes in the state. clearly someone is not managing tax payer money correctly. and the disconnect between proposing 3 kings day legislation when there is a $39 million deficit is beyond repugnant. the optics are not good at all. would love to see him and delegation lead a real bill to fund education in urban areas. but it is hard for him to do this Because the perception of other state representatives is why are we going to fund you at the state level when bridgeport clearly has fiscal mismanagement and is irresponsible. this is so bad from to many angles but this is the real discussion to have.
I understand stand your point, but what comes frist the horse or carriage?
Is the call and constant drumbeat for funding based the need or mismanagement? Perhaps both, To your point, I guess
The same can be said on the city’s side of fical management.
Chicken or the egg discussions are irrelevant when there’s this level of urgency in a thirty nine million dollar deficit. The fact that no one prepared for this or saw this coming is unbelievable. But this is what people elect and what you elect is what you get.
Is it really irrelevant, or an urgency, same sport new budget season. Each side wants their pound of flesh/taxpayer, with the power control it, on a level
“The fact that no one prepared for it or saw this coming” Please, they practically created it and promoted it. 🙂
What you elect is an elected official in the game. Their main concern once elected is to stay elected with the hopes to being tapped to run and we high office.
It was why Moore was elected to the Senate.It didn’t work out quite the they wanted, and disingenuous Gen Now throw her under the bus for Gomes in the second round. Their 20000 shades of ballots scheme with the collusion with Mario’s team that didn’t produce.
Do you real think momma bear LV and Gen entrenched supporters along with big daddy’s money gives a shit about how the BBOE get to this “urgency ” or why
Talk about optics, that’s all politics is from average voter who don’t have any skin in the game or their hand out, in some form, some way financially, out side of them wanting the government out of their packet/taxation that increase the game. Which is a game inside the game. Depending on the level.
Based on what you recall this “urgency” it was recreated when the government giving them 10s of millions of extra funding.
Do you see momma bear LV calling on a forensic audit and accountability or seek the value on the money/funding being spent. Is that voicen coming out or their fresh of breath air movement, Of course not. It’s not grounded in their reality. They don’t give a shit, not party of their game or a page out of their shady political play book.
https://www.ctinsider.com/opinion/article/bridgeport-ct-schools-funding-19990790.php
That’s the political game. JS
https://youtu.be/Xq3hEMUeBGQ?si=PHXiTi8a8j10cMkn
“more importantly why are we even having this discussion, its just a distraction. The most important conversation to have right now is the conversation about bridgeport’s schools $39 million dollar deficit. this despite the fact that bridgeport has the second highest property taxes in the state. clearly someone is not managing tax payer money correctly. and the disconnect between proposing 3 kings day legislation when there is a $39 million deficit is beyond repugnant. the optics are not good at all. would love to see him and delegation lead a real bill to fund education in urban areas. but it is hard for him to do this Because the perception of other state representatives is why are we going to fund you at the state level when bridgeport clearly has fiscal mismanagement and is irresponsible. this is so bad from to many angles but this is the real discussion to have.”
Bridgeporter; by all comparisons to other cities — which also have mismanagement problems as serious as ours — we are grossly underfunded by the state for schools and in other areas. The myth that only Bridgeport is fiscally and governmentally/politically mismanaged is just that. Look at the problems in Hartford, Waterbury, et al…. But it is true; we haven’t made schools a priority in the context of funding. Public safety gets the lion’s share, and rightfully so, in the context of our insufficient tax revenue and stagnant, desperately small tax base.
What Bridgeport needs is serious, committed, state and federal assistance in rebuilding our grand list to a “Stamford” level with high-value, “tax-positive”, tax base — not “tax-negative” base e.g., housing. With our population we should have about 25% MORE grand-list value (taxable) than Stamford, we presently have about 75% less. So homeowners and small businesses are taxed to death here, and our collections still fall enormously short of need… (Thats the true nature of “mismanagement” — failure to enormously grow our tax base…)
For shits and giggles. The internet is saying JZ now has 100 problems,
Damn you internets. 🙂
https://youtu.be/il7DAixsKrQ?si=AeilVUXZoO3rkrGh
Can’t depart without the Prophet, butt damn P Diddy..
https://youtu.be/grL4JMs0hDc?si=JBnSZq5diw2I6zZx