I hope everyone had a happy Hanukkah. That’s right– for those who don’t know, Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light, is already over. If it seems early, it is. That’s partially because Judaism, like many religions, follows a lunar calendar for its holidays. Unfortunately, when determining the calendar for a given school year, Manheim Township does not seem to be taking these religions into account. Most scheduled breaks coincide with Christian holidays and few others. While it is likely that many students in the school celebrate these Chistian holidays, there are also many who do not. The district must take action to ensure that all holidays are considered when developing the schedule.

For students who do not identify as Christian or celebrate Christian holidays, the schedule creates many problems. In some cases, these students must choose whether to prioritize faith or school. The Jewish High Holidays, for example, fall early in the school year. Because of the holidays, many students are forced to choose between attending important religious services or attending school. If they choose the former, they have the opportunity to engage with their community but may miss important instruction. If they choose the latter, they keep up with instruction but miss a chance to observe the holidays. Any student who has missed a day of school because they were sick or had a doctor’s appointment understands how difficult it is to make up a full day in a timely manner.

The holidays a student celebrates are not necessarily the same ones their family celebrates. As we reevaluate the district’s schedule, it is important to take this fact into account. When determining which holidays are most important to consider, it is imperative that the district surveys students and not their families. At least at the high school level — and possibly lower — students are able to explore faith for themselves and should have the opportunity to identify with the religion (or lack thereof) they most closely affiliate with.

Unfortunately, it is not realistic to have scheduled days off for all holidays that students in the school district celebrate. The way things are currently handled does not seem to be working, and as a community, we must work together to find a better approach. At this point, it is difficult to pin down a solution that is best, as what works for one community may not for another. Right now, students have very little say in what holidays there are breaks for. The school should be surveying students to determine their highest priorities and responding accordingly. Above all else, some action must be taken because the way things currently are is not working. It may take time to find the best course of action, but the sooner the process is started, the sooner Manheim Township students can feel confident that their religions are seen and accepted at our schools.