Hello School Leaders: 

With a number of holidays approaching, I want to share some guidance regarding religious holidays in the public schools. Public schools must be careful not to cross the line between teaching about religious holidays (which is permitted) and celebrating or sponsoring religious holidays and practices (which is not permitted).  While the study of religious holidays may be included in your curriculum (so as to share information about the origin, history, and generally-agreed upon meaning of such holidays as well as the  manner in which such holidays are celebrated), teachers and administrators will need to take special care to avoid promoting or inhibiting religion during any instruction about religious holidays. As for religious symbols, such are permissible if they are used as teaching aids. They may not be used as seasonal or permanent decorations. Religious music, art, literature, and drama may be used to teach about holidays  if they are presented in a religion-neutral and objective fashion.  Lastly, I want to address excused absences for religious holidays. Students excused for religious observance should not suffer any adverse or prejudicial consequences and should be allowed a reasonable opportunity to make up classwork missed due to their absence. Similarly, if a student’s religious beliefs or the religious beliefs of the student’s parents conflict with the content of a classroom activity or holiday party, the student may be excused and should not be stigmatized or punished (placed in the office to do class work for example) for not participating.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you.   

Dana C. Reed

Director of Compliance