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INSTRUCTION
6141.2P (a)
Draft January 2022 - BOE first reading 2/8/2022
RECOGNITION OF RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
In accordance with the mandate of the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the
establishment of religion it is the policy of this Board that the Colchester Public Schools shall
will, at all times and in all ways, be neutral in matters of religion. This means that the Colchester
Public Schools:
● will shall assume no role or responsibility for the religious training of any student; and
● will shall in no way become involved in the religious belief, disbelief or doubt of any
student.
This requirement of neutrality need not preclude nor hinder Colchester Public Schools in
fulfilling its responsibility to educate students to be tolerant and respectful of religious diversity.
The district also recognizes that one of its educational responsibilities is to advance the
students' knowledge and appreciation of the role that religion has played in the social, cultural,
and historical development of civilization.
Therefore, the district will approach religion from an objective, curriculum related
perspective, encouraging all students and staff members to be aware of the diversity of
beliefs and respectful of each other's religious and/or nonreligious views. In that spirit of
respect, students and staff members may be excused from participating in activities that are
contrary to religious beliefs unless there are clear issues of compelling public interest that
would prevent it.
Implementation of Board Policy
When a student is absent from school to observe a religious holiday, such absence shall will
be excused; when school is in session on a major religious holiday that affects a
significant number of students and staff, no major examination, major assignments or
new areas of study shall be introduced.
Legal Reference: First Amendment, The United States Constitution
Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962)
Lenon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971)
Lee v. Weisman, 505 U.S. 577 (1992)
Lamb’s Chapel v. Center Moriches Union Free School
District, 508 U.S. 384 (1993)
Policy adopted: February 9, 1999
Policy Revised: March 8, 2022
RECOGNITION OF RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS Page 1 of 3
INSTRUCTION
6141.2R (a)
RECOGNITION OF RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
The Colchester Board of Education shall, at all times in all ways, be neutral in matters of religion.
This requirement of neutrality need not preclude nor hinder the Colchester Public Schools in
fulfilling its responsibility to educate students to be tolerant of and respectful of religious
diversity. This responsibility is part of the larger expectation this Board has for its schools;
namely, that they foster all students’ respect for the diversity of other peoples and societies.
The following administrative regulation set forth the procedures to be implemented by
administration in implementing the Board of Education policy Recognition of Religious Holidays.
It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent of Schools to implement the appropriate
procedures and practices within the school district.
1. The district Calendar Committee, which meets in the winter of the previous school year,
will review the list and schedule of major religious holidays for consideration when
developing the school calendar.
2. During August of each school year, the Superintendent of Schools will send a list of
major religious holidays to the principals of each school. The list of holidays, school
calendar, and policy is to be reviewed with instructional staff at faculty meetings in the
fall of leach each year.
3. School principals will be responsible for issuing this list of holidays to their instructional
staff. A copy of the Board of Education policy shall be attached to the list of dates.
Specifically, the following activities will not be scheduled on the designated religious
holidays:
a. Test/examinations/quizzes
b. The assignment of major class projects
c. The introduction of a new unit of study
d. Field trips, school-wide assemblies, concerts, athletic competitions, parent
activities, including open house, orientations, parent/teacher conferences,
workshops
Any sporting event which conflicts with a major religious holiday will be rescheduled
when possible.
In addition, students who are absent from school to observe a religious holiday will be
afforded the opportunity to make-up any missed class work and/or homework
RECOGNITION OF RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS Page 2 of 3
assignments within five (5) days of the absence.
4. The Board of Education policy and administrative regulation on religious holidays are to
be included in the staff handbook of each school.
5. Principals will also publish the dates of important religious holidays in their weekly
and/or daily newsletters to staff.
6. Student Handbooks should include a summary of the policy and the fact that absences
due to the observance of major religious holidays will be recorded as excused absences.
In order for the absence to be excused, a parent must call or submit a written note to
the office, indicating that the student’s absence was due to the observance of a major
religious holiday.
7. Principals will inform the office personnel responsible for student attendance of the
policy and ensure that absences due to religious holidays are recorded as excused
absences.
Regulation adopted: February 9, 1999 Colchester Public Schools
Regulation revised: March 12, 2013 Colchester, CT
Regulation revised: March 8, 2022
RECOGNITION OF RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS Page 3 of 3