We want to share an important announcement with you that Juneteenth will be a holiday throughout the state of Minnesota beginning June 19, 2023. 

June 19 of each year is designated Juneteenth in recognition of the historical pronouncement of the abolition of slavery on June 19, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation was said to have been first publicly read in Texas by Union soldiers led by General Granger. The announcement came 2-1/2 years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and two months after General Lee's surrender in April 1865. Juneteenth and emancipation celebrations have been commonplace in Minnesota since 1889 as a result of community-based grassroots efforts.

Each year the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring this observance and recognizing the important contributions African-Americans have made to Minnesota's communities, culture and economy. The governor may also take any additional action necessary to promote and encourage the observance of Juneteenth and public schools may offer instruction and programs on the occasion.

When the State Government Finance Bill passed on May 19, 2023 it determined that Juneteenth (June 19) is a legal holiday in Minnesota and should be treated like July 4. This means that Minnesota public schools and school boards may not transact public business on a holiday and the Minnesota Department of Education’s position is that the Juneteenth law does not permit summer school operations. Unlike other Minnesota legal holidays, a separate law specifically addresses Juneteenth (Minnesota Statutes 10.55). Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day are handled in a specific law (Minnesota Statutes 120A.42) that allows schools to operate on these dates. Juneteenth is not included in 120A.42.

Therefore, CHPS will be closed on June 19, 2023 and all programming (Summer ENCORE, Adventure Club, Mini Adventures, Drivers Education and all sports programming and camps) will be closed on that day. Staff and students involved in these programs will receive more information from the supervisors of the programs. Summer ENCORE will be shortened by one day (there will not be a make-up day for this cancellation.) Adventure Club and Mini Adventures families will not be charged for this day when there is no child care. Make-up days for all other programs will be determined on an individual program basis and communication will go to those participants after the schedule is finalized.

At the June 13 School Board meeting, administration plans to work with the School Board on compensation for potential lost wages for those staff who were scheduled to work on June 19, 2023.

This guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education just came to us this week and we are sorry for any inconvenience the cancelation of these programs might cause for students, families and staff.

Thank you for understanding as we incorporate this new important and official holiday into our school schedule.