MOUNT CARMEL -- Students filled the classrooms in the Mount Carmel Area School District in Northumberland County despite a federal holiday.
Kids had mixed feelings about the school day.
"Pretty mad. Yeah I'm pretty mad," Said Danny Lynn, a high school junior.
Freshman Harry Yeager said, "It was actually for the better good because we learned more about what he did. "
Some students from the Mount Carmel area school district might be a little upset that they had to go to school, but community members said what better way to learn about Martin Luther King Jr. than in the classroom.
"Kids get into trouble when they're out in the world on their freedom. This is a learning experience and how to grow and be more in tune with the real beliefs of our country," said Valerie Coffman from Mount Carmel Township.
Kathy Rearick from Mount Carmel said, "I still think they should have it off. I mean the banks and everyone else gets off no matter what. So, I mean, they should have them off for the holidays. "
Superintendent Bernie Stellar said students hit the books on the holiday because the district has already used three snow days.
However, Stellar thinks teachers are taking the opportunity to teach a little history.
"Our teachers have received numerous lesson plans and ideas to share with our students about Martin Luther King day," Said Stellar.
Students said they prefer to be in school now rather than add extra days in June.
"It's ok because then we don't have to make to up in the summer," said one student.
A middle school student thought the day was a breeze anyway.
"If you have school on Martin Luther King day, it's basically you color pages, it's pretty cool," Said Tiniesha Harvey, 7th grader.
The Mount Carmel area district will also have classes on Presidents' day and another day in March to make up for missed time.