Source: Burlington Free Press
The Burlington School Board has voted to add two holidays to future school calendars to give students time off on Jewish and Muslim holy days, but board members say the changes won’t lengthen the school year.
The board approved the chances Tuesday by an 8-1 vote.
The additions will give students the day off on Eid al-Fitr and Yom Kippur. Muslims mark Eid al-Fitr as a feast to end the holy month of Ramadan. Yom Kippur is a Jewish day of atonement and considered among the holiest days of the year; it typically occurs in early fall.
Burlington schools are not giving students and teachers the holidays off to mark the religious observances, said School Board Chairman Fred Lane. Instead, the board is trying to maximize attendance.