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Parents, students urge Sewanhaka district to recognize Eid al‑Adha as a full school holiday
Summary
Parents and students asked the Sewanhaka Central High School District board to grant Eid al‑Adha the same calendar recognition as other major religious holidays, citing missed tests and cultural observances; speakers requested clearer calendar labeling and consistent district guidance.
Parents and students told the Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education on Tuesday that Eid al‑Adha should be a full school holiday in the district, not a superintendent conference day.
At the public‑comment portion of the June meeting, Farhana, a parent of New Hyde Park Memorial High School, read a letter from a sixth‑grade student who said he missed a test after observing Eid and later faced two math tests on the first day back. The letter said in part: “If I miss going to the mosque, I will also miss a lot of the fun things that they have like a bounce house and goodie bags.”
Why it matters: Students and families asked the board for consistent district guidance so Muslim students are not academically penalized for taking religious observances. Speakers said the district’s current calendar lists some holidays by name (for example, Rosh Hashanah) but labels Eid as a superintendent conference day, which they said creates confusion and uneven outcomes for students.
Student speaker Rehan Hussein, who identified himself as a student at Floral Park Memorial High School and a member of the school’s Muslim Student Association, said Muslim students who take Eid off can face “consequences, such as missing tests, homeworks, and assignments.” He asked the board for “clear guidance for religious holidays like Eid, ensuring it's a full day off for all students, similar to other religious holidays, like Christmas and Yom Kippur.”
Board response and next steps: Board presiding officials acknowledged the comments and said someone from the district would follow up with the speakers. During the meeting the superintendent’s office did not announce any immediate calendar changes or a formal board vote to add Eid al‑Adha to the district calendar.
Context: Commenters said the district allowed students to take the Eid day off this year but that the designation as a superintendent conference day — with teachers still working — contributed to scheduling tests and other instructional events on that date. Speakers asked the board to consider the impact on assessments and make calendar language consistent so families and staff can plan.
Ending: Board members did not take a vote on the request at the meeting. A district representative told one commenter that staff would follow up after the meeting.
