High-school student urges Monroe-Woodbury to recognize both Eid holidays as school days

Syed Kadir, a student at Monroe-Woodbury High School, told the board during public comment that the district's recent calendar change which listed one Eid observation as a superintendent conference day was meaningful but insufficient.

"Eid al-Fitr is off this year, but ... Eid al Adha ... I will be asked to make the choice, do I attend school or do I go celebrate my holiday?" Kadir said, describing how scheduling and exams can force students into a choice between religious observance and class work.

Kadir thanked the board for progress that added Eid to the district calendar but said that an excused absence does not remove the stress of missed instruction or the sense of exclusion. "When you don't have recognition for a holiday ... the lack of it makes them feel othered, different," he said, urging the district to consider full-day recognition to create inclusion and provide teachable moments for the school community.

Context: Board materials and presenters at the meeting confirmed the calendar change that lists an Eid observation as a superintendent conference day; Kadir noted that Muslim students observe two annual Eid holidays and said the district's growing Muslim student population increases the need to address scheduling conflicts and inclusion.

Board response: The president thanked Kadir for speaking; several board members later thanked him publicly during member reports. There was no formal motion or board vote on a calendar change during the meeting.

Next steps: Kadir's remarks were entered into the public-comments record. If the board or superintendent pursue a formal calendar revision to add additional religious holidays as full days off, that change would require administrative review and public notice before adoption.