TIS, isn't it a shame? I think the sorry-ass reasoning behind it is that it's not politically correct to celebrate such an event that abused and displaced the Natives of this land. I'm pretty sure none of the schools had the day off. Only banks, post offices, etc. I remember when I was little, we used to get the day off, even here... so it's not just a California thing, it's more of a "good old days" thing.