Okemos Public Schools has made a commitment to celebrate and honor the rich cultural diversity of our students and our community. For many students in our schools, the observance of religious and cultural traditions is an important part of their personal, family, and community life.  These traditions help students understand and preserve their own value systems, cultures, customs, and history.  Students from religious traditions other than the Christian faith are often faced with the choice between attending school or attending holiday celebrations with their families and communities.

Holidays of Major Significance

The religious observances during the 2023-24 school year that are marked in yellow below are of major significance to some of our students.  School district employees should not schedule any of the following during these holidays:

• Major formative assessments (tests, quizzes, etc.)
• Reviews for major exams
• Standardized tests
• Tryouts; for example, teams, plays
• One-time or major events (proms, graduation ceremonies, homecoming, elections, test simulations, etc.)

Students will probably be with their families or at a place of worship in observance of these holidays. They will not be in school and/or not have time available to do the required homework. Absence to observe these holidays should be excused, and make-up privileges should be the same as the make-up privileges offered to a student who has an excused absence due to illness.

Note:  Given that Ramadan is a month long, it would be challenging to follow all of the above guidelines.  Use your discretion, and please note that some Muslim students may be fasting during this time.  The effects of fasting may include hunger, fatigue, lack of attention, and irritability, among others.  Here is an article about supporting students during Ramadan (Tes, April 2021).

Other Holidays

For the other holidays that are listed, students may or may not spend time with their family and/or at a place of worship. They might not be in school and/or not have time available to do required homework. Such an absence should be excused. Make-up privileges should be the same as those offered for an absence due to illness.

Please note:  Jewish holy days begin and end at sundown on the first and last days listed. These holidays are calculated on a lunar calendar and are approximate. Muslim holidays begin and end at sundown on the first and last days listed. The Baha’i day ends and a new one begins at sunset; consequently, the day on which a Holy Day is observed begins at sunset on the day before the Gregorian calendar dates given below.