Eid Mubarak

Our district has recently diversified the number of holidays we have on our calendar to include major celebrations and religious observances other than the traditional Christian holidays we've marked in the past. As such, we were off for the Jewish high holy days in the fall, Diwali a month or so later, and tomorrow school is closed for Eid al Fitr, the Muslim holiday that falls at the end of Ramadan.

In sixth grade, most students are still considered too young to fully participate in the fasting that marks Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. While adults are expected to abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, children and the infirm are exempt from the practice. Even so, at the age of eleven or twelve, most of my Muslim students are eager to share in this solemn ritual. And although they are open about the challenges of going through the school day without eating or even drinking water, it is their pride and excitement that usually shines through.

And as pleased as I am to have a three day weekend? I'm even happier for the validation our calendar shows to these kids and their families.