Parent urges Bolton schools to avoid scheduling major events on religious holidays

A parent and educator told the Bolton Board of Education that repeated scheduling of school events on major Jewish holidays has forced families to choose between religious observance and participating in school traditions.

The parent said the problem has recurred for more than 15 years and described students missing picture days, athletic competitions, homecoming and college fairs because events were scheduled on holy days. She said the most recent example was the Bolton Center School walkathon, which she said conflicted with a Jewish holiday, and left her daughter feeling “singled out.”

The issue matters to families’ sense of belonging, the parent said, arguing that “scheduling decisions can unintentionally make students feel excluded or unwelcome.” She asked the board to commit to avoiding major events on religious holidays so families would not be forced into that choice.

Superintendent Caruso acknowledged the concern and described steps the district has already taken. Caruso said district leaders met recently to review the school-year calendar and will “make every effort we possibly can to make sure that we're not scheduling any of our special events … on days where religious holidays are happening.”

Board members did not take formal action at the meeting; public comment and the superintendent’s response were recorded as part of the evening’s updates. The parent offered to provide additional perspective to district staff moving forward.

The comment came during the public-comment portion of the meeting; Superintendent Caruso addressed the board later in the agenda while delivering the superintendent’s report.