Diwali May Become School Holiday In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The popular Hindu festival, Diwali, may become a school holiday in Hillsborough.

The decision to recognize the Festival of Lights as a school holiday is now currently under "further consideration," said Hillsborough Board of Education President Paul Marini at the Monday night meeting.

Marini said the board asked the administration to look into this option after township residents made comments on social media and through email requesting it.

In order to make Diwali an official school holiday, the district needs to adjust the school calendar, which must have 180 education days.

Currently, the school calendar already allocates time for:

• 5 in-service teacher days plus New Jersey teacher conventions
• 1 week off in December for winter break
• 1 week off for Spring Break
• Closed for Election days for building security and child safety
• Other school holidays closed throughout the year

Additionally, the school year can not start earlier than Sept. 1.

To try and accommodate Diwali, Marini said the board asked the administration if they can consider adjusting the graduation date by moving it by one day.

The venue for graduation must also have availability to move the graduation, which Marini already confirmed it does.

The education committee must then review the new proposed calendar before it is presented at the February board meeting for a vote.

"I want to thank the community for raising this issue to the board's attention," said Marini.

There are many school districts in New Jersey that close for Diwali including Basking Ridge, Edison, Millburn and New Brunswick.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali or Dipavali, originates from the Sanskrit word dipavali meaning "row or series of lights."

The "Festival of Lights," as Diwali is also known, is considered one of the most significant events on the Indian Calendar. Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, symbolized by the lighting of lamps in homes, temples, shops, and buildings around the world as it ushers in the Indian New Year.

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