Well, the literal answer to that question comes from Wikipedia:

It is likely that the name “Good Friday” came from the earlier English name, “Godes Friday,” meaning “God’s Friday.” In much the same way as “God be with ye” was shortened to “goodbye,” so did “Godes Friday” become “Good Friday.”

But as my kids are running around all crazy, plummeting my efficiency rate into negative digits, I ask it in the sense of, “why, exactly, are the schools closed today?” Good Friday is not a federal holiday in the United States. In Illinois, where I live, it’s not a state holiday. So why, then, is it a district one?

Sure, it can be said that Easter and Christmas Day are also recognized by the district and are religious holidays, but with them being on a Sunday and during winter break, respectively, it’s not implicit that there’s a religious purpose behind the days off. And while those holidays have pagan ties and huge secular festivities outside of the church, Good Friday is the commemoration of that young hippie with crazy ideas being nailed to a couple pieces of timber. So again, why is our public school celebrating a purely Christian event?

Or, more importantly, why do I now have to explain to my children why they are the freaks that aren’t a part of the big school sanctioned celebration?

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