I really like this idea:

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PROSPECT PARK, Pa. (AP) _ Instead of sleeping in on the Martin Luther King holiday, a Delaware County district is trying a different approach.
Superintendent Lois Snyder says the Interboro School District's nearly 4,000 students were required to attend school Monday. The district holds a full day of classes analyzing King's "I Have a Dream" speech and focusing on other minority historic figures.
Students also donate food, coats and books. In contrast, Snyder says when students are let out of school she doesn't think most of them spend a great deal of time on service projects.
Snyder has received only a handful of complaints, but says she will size up further public reaction before making plans for next year.
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I've never been sure what keeping kids home on this day accomplishes. Education, public service or just spending time with classmates and friends of all backgrounds and races would be a far better way to honor Martin Luther King.