Expectations for March 31, Eid al-Fitr

March 12th, 2025

This is a reminder that schools will be open for students on March 31, 2025, as a makeup day for inclement weather.

Unfortunately, that date falls on a day that some members of our community may be celebrating Eid al-Fitr, an important holiday for our Muslim neighbors. There were two alternative dates considered to make up the inclement weather day:

• The first was to use a day over Spring Break, but it was anticipated that student and staff attendance would be very low.
• Adding a day to the end of the school year (June 20) was also considered but would cost the system an additional half million dollars of unbudgeted funds due to negotiated staff agreements.

So, while March 31 was the best option of the three, it is important that our Muslim neighbors can celebrate Eid without concern of having an unexcused absence and missing important instruction at school. For that reason, several expectations are in place for March 31, including:

• All student absences for religious purposes are considered lawful absences and are excused.
• Tests and quizzes will not be given on that date, and no graded assignments will be due.
• Students will be excused from any scheduled extracurricular activities.

While students do not need to fill out the request for religious observation form for March 31, a parent/guardian should submit a note to the school clarifying their student was absent to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

The school system values the diverse religious and cultural community we have in Howard County, and while it is difficult to maintain a school year calendar that properly accounts for all holidays, we will continue to strive for instructional spaces that allow students and staff to honor their culture and religion.