Broward schools will recognize end of Ramadan for the first time in upcoming year
For the first time, the Broward County School Board approved a calendar that recognizes Eid al-Fitr, a holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month.
The April 21, 2023, designation recognizes Muslim students, parents and staff. Schools will be closed for the day.
On Tuesday, the board members voted 7-1 in favor of the upcoming 2022-23 academic calendar, which calls for the school year to begin on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, and end on Thursday, June 8, 2023.
Board Chairwoman Laurie Rich Levinson voted against the motion to recognize Eid al-Fitr, saying she didn’t want to start the school year a day earlier to accommodate the holiday. The proposed first day of school was Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, but the board switched it to Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, to allow for the holiday.
“Ten to 15 years ago, we had a huge movement in this state to not have school start more than two weeks before Labor Day,’’ Rich Levinson said. “Many, many parents were involved with it. ... I know that there are many parents that have plans over the summer; they have relatives in other states who start after Labor Day.”
At the meeting, Naima Khan-Ghany, a Broward teacher and an adviser to the Broward County Student Muslim Association, applauded the board for promotion equity, diversity and inclusion.
“I’m at a loss for words,” she said. “I’m just so appreciative. Thank you so much.”
The school district’s calendar committee began developing the calendar in April. In October, the committee surveyed community members on four proposed options.
The calendar, which allows for up to six hurricane makeup days, includes a week-long Thanksgiving break and a two-week-long winter break. It also includes 10 teacher planning days and six early release days.
Here’s the final calendar:
This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 8:50 PM.
