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Board Policies 2000 - Administration
Board Policy 2513.2 - Special Days and Observances of All Faiths

Board Policy 2513.2 - Special Days and Observances of All Faiths

Purpose

The Board of Education desires to treat all religious groups fairly with regard to absences for religious observances. To this end, the following will be accomplished:

  1. A staff calendar will be distributed at the beginning of each school year that will reference religious observance days to minimize the impact on the school community.
  2. School administrators and staff shall be mindful of religious observance days referenced in the staff calendar when scheduling field trips and other special activities, such as graduations, homecomings, and the taking of student pictures.
  3. Parents are to notify their child’s teachers in writing of forthcoming religious observance days on which their child will be absent from school.
  4. Students absent from school for religious observances will be given the opportunity to make-up missed work and/or tests consistent with individual schools’ make-up policies.
  5. Pursuant to State Regulations, religious observance is a lawful absence from school. Where parents have given the teacher notification, such lawful absence shall not be counted in the awarding of exceptional attendance awards by individual schools.
  6. School system employees must give their supervisors prior notice in writing of their intention to be absent for religious observance.

Legal Reference: Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 13A.08.01.03 F.

About This Policy

Policy Adopted 10/30/75

Policy Amended 1/8/76

Policy Amended 5/22/03

Policy Reviewed – No Revisions Required 1/18/05

Updated October 19, 2005

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