Interfaith Calendar
Please Note
The Rockwood School District does not support or endorse any religious group or sect. This calendar is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an all-inclusive document identifying religious holidays. The district recognizes there may be other religious holidays observed by students and staff. Therefore, scheduling and student absences related to religious holidays and observances are to be addressed in Policy 2310: Student Absences and Excuses and Regulation 2310: Student Absences and Excuses.
Understanding These Observances
- Ash Wednesday
- The Christian observance begins the 40-day season of Lent, which is a period of prayer, alms-giving, and fasting. Some students may not attend school for part of the day to attend worship services.
- Buddha Day
- Buddhists celebrate the birthday of Buddha.
- Chinese New Year
- The Chinese New Year marks the Chinese calendar's first day of the new year. It is also known as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year.
- Christmas
- The Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ is observed by prayers, exchanging of gifts, and family gatherings.
- Diwali
- The Hindu Festival of Lights symbolizes the human urge to move toward the light with gift exchanges, fireworks, and festive meals.
- Easter
- The Christian sacred day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from his death by crucifixion. Observances include worship services beginning at sunrise, special music, feasting, and parades.
- Eid al-Adha
- The Islamic Feast of Sacrifice is a three-day festival recalling Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah. Some students may not attend school.
- Eid al-Fitr
- This Islamic event marks the close of Ramadan. It is a festival of thanksgiving to Allah and involves wearing the finest clothing, saying prayers, and fostering understanding with other religions.
- Good Friday
- This day is a Christian remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus and related events. Some students may not attend school due to daily services and prayer vigils.
- Hanukkah
- Jewish Festival of Lights commemorates the Maccabean recapture and rededication of the Jerusalem Temple in 165-164 b.c.e. One candle on the nine-candle Menorah is lit each night.
- Kwanzaa
- This festival is observed by many African Americans as a celebration of their cultural heritage and traditional values.
- Passover
- The Jewish celebration of the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. Students may fast from dawn to sunset starting the day of the evening Passover begins.
- Purim
- Jewish Purim commemorates the rescue of the Jews in ancient Persia and celebrates religious freedom. Students may fast during the day.
- Ramadan
- The Islamic month of devotion commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's reception of the divine revelation recorded in the Qur'an. There is strict fasting from dawn to sunset each day for the entire month, and students perform extra nightly congregational prayers.
- Rosh Hashanah
- The beginning of the new Jewish year starts a 10-day period of prayer and repentance. Students might attend services from before sunset through the end of the holiday. Some students may not attend school.
- Shavuot
- Shavuot is a two-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai over 3,000 years ago. Preceded by 49 days of counting in eager anticipation, Shavuot is celebrated through desisting from work, candle-lit dinners, staying up all night to study Torah, listening to the reading of the Ten Commandments in synagogue, enjoying dairy foods and other festivities.
- Sukkot
- The Jewish Festival of Thanksgiving commemorates the 40-year wandering of the Israelites in the desert on the way to the Promised Land.
- Yom Kippur
- The Jewish Day of Atonement is observed with strict fasting and repentance. Many students may not attend school or maybe attending late evening services.
This page was last updated on 9/30/25.