Excused Absences for Religious Observances

March 3rd, 2025

In alignment with Howard County Board of Education Policy 3000 Religious Observances, a student absence for observation of a religious holiday is considered a lawful absence. Additionally, the HCPSS Student and Parent Handbook details the accommodations for religious observances.

The school system respects the religious practices and observances of students and employees and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for religious obligations.

If a religious observance requires a student to miss all or part of a school day, parents/guardians should complete the Religious Obligation: Request for Absence form and submit to their child’s school administrator. When an absence for religious observance is approved, a student may make up work, including missed tests or assignments, and receive a recorded grade.

Please note, this year Eid Al Fitr falls either on March 30 or March 31, the latter of which is now being used as a student day. Parents/guardians will not need to complete a Request for Absence Form. Additionally, schoolwide event programming, including locally mandated testing and field trips, will not be scheduled on this date.