Adding Diwali, Eid Holidays To Westfield School Calendar Discussed

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield Board of Education(BOE) approved its school calendar for 2024-2025 prompting one Board Member to voice their concerns over the exclusion of Diwali or Eid.

"I have raised the concern multiple times. We don't close school for Diwali or Eid even though these are major religious holidays in the world," said Sahar Aziz at the Tuesday night BOE meeting. "Unfortunatley at least from my vantage point, these children in Westfield have to make the false choice between missing an exam, a classroom lesson, a homework assignment, or celebrating a religious holiday with their families."

Board Member Leila Morrelli noted that the Policy Committee considers religious and cultural holidays based on population and the operational impact this has on the district.

"In other words the significant absences either by staff or students which would not allow us to conduct our day," said Morrelli on how days off are determined.

Aziz questioned why some of the days off couldn't be moved or half days combined.

Superintendent Dr. Raymond González said many of the days are contractual and include teacher conventions or teacher conferences.

"Any addition of a day would extend the school year into June or start earlier in August," said González. "All of those possibilities were considered in the final document that you see."

Aziz continued to express her disappointment.

"What I see here is inertia, nobody wants to change. And if that's the case then anybody who is a minority in this town - you're not welcome here. Because they are not going to change. They are not going to accommodate you," said Aziz.

Board President Sonal Patel said that it really wasn't up to the Board to decide which holidays should be observed and instead, it is based on their population.

"At this time, based on the numbers, we feel this is a calendar suitable for our students as a whole," said Patel.

Patel also read a district policy stating that "staff members shall avoid whenever possible scheduling a test on a religious holiday commonly observed by residents of the district."

"However, if a student is absent for an excused absence they will get that time to make up," said Patel.

González pointed out that this year a list of holidays was given out along with the calendar to make it easier for teachers to plan around.

"The resource list is the perfect complement to the policy, teachers are able to use the two together. That was the explicit reason for developing the resource so that planning can take place on the classroom level," said González.

The school calendar and the list of holidays permitting student absences can be found here.

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