Religion and Culture
Our calendar provides insight into the diversity of our school community. We have highlighted the many religious and cultural observances celebrated within our community**. Check it out.
Parents - Please be sure to call or email your school and excuse the absence for religious or cultural celebrations related absences.
*Please note, since some religious holidays are based on lunar observances and the sighting of the moon, the day may change by one day.
**This calendar does not cover all holidays that may be observed by students, and students may practice the same religion differently.
| Dates through 2024-2025 | Celebration/Practice/Tradition | Impact on Student Learning or Link to Information |
|---|---|---|
| May |
Jewish American Heritage Month - Celebrates Jewish Americans' contributions, culture and achievements in history and society. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - Honors the culture and contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians. |
Learn more about Jewish American Heritage month at the U.S. Library of Congress webpage.
Learn more about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at the U.S. Library of Congress webpage. |
|
Thursday, May 1, 2025 |
Twelfth Day of Ridván - Bahá’í community |
Members of the Bahai faith will be absent from school. |
|
Monday, May 12, 2025 |
Vesak – Buddha Day – Buddhist community |
Students and families may be absent from evening events. |
|
Friday, May 23, 2025 |
Declaration of the Báb - Bahá’í community |
Members of the Bahai faith will be absent from school. |
|
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 |
Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh - Bahá’í community |
Members of the Bahai faith will be absent from school. |
| Saturday, May 31, 2025 | Dragon Boat Festival - Chinese community and some members of East Asian Heritage | Students and families may not be able to participate in events on this day. |
|
Sunday, June 1 (evening) to Tuesday, June 3, 2025 |
Shavuot-Jewish community |
Students may be absent Monday and Tuesday. Holy days may result in student not having assignments or be ready for tests the following day. Please keep in mind families will not be able to attend events on these dates. |
| Friday, June 6 (sundown) - Saturday, June 7, 2025 (sundown)* | Eid Al-Adha - Muslim community | Students may be absent the day of the celebration and the day after – big feast/family celebration Please keep in mind students and families may not be able to attend events on these dates. |
This calendar does not cover all holidays that may be observed by students and students may practice the same religion differently.
In the Jewish community, the weekly Sabbath is an important observance. It goes from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. For some families, the use of technology and any electronics is prohibited therefore resulting in the delay of assignments as well. Some families will not be able to travel or participate in school events on those days. It's important for schools to alternate days for weekend events to ensure Jewish inclusion.
*Notes – some dates may change based on the lunar sighting or when celebrated in the country of origin.
**Dates listed impact student learning, either since the student will be absent, fasting or have evening events that may significantly impact their ability to complete assignments or study for tests the next day.
Religious and Cultural Days That May Impact Student Learning
Issaquah School District 2025-2026
|
Date |
Celebration/Practice/Tradition |
Impact on student learning** |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuesday, August 26 and Wednesday, August 27
|
Ganesh Chaturthi (Birth of Lord Ganesh) – Hindu community |
Some students may be absent. Please keep in mind some families will not be able to attend evening events on this date. |
|
Monday, September 22nd (sundown) and ends on Wednesday, Sept 24th (sundown) |
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) – Jewish community - (Holiest days) |
Some students may be absent from school on Sept 23 and 24. Some families will choose to abstain from technology use during this holiday. Holy days may result in students not having completed assignments or ready for tests the following day. Please do not schedule evening or special events on Sept 22-24. |
|
Monday, September 22 to Thursday, Oct. 2* |
Navratri – Hindu Community 9-day festival ends with Dussehra celebration |
Students may not have schoolwork ready due to religious observances. Some community members may fast during this period. |
|
Wednesday, October 1 (sundown) and ends Oct. 2 (sundown) |
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) – Jewish community (Holiest days) |
Students may be absent on Oct. 2. Many over the age of 12/13 will also choose to fast from sunset to sunset. Some families will choose to abstain from technology use during this holiday. Please do not schedule evening or special events on Oct. 1-2. Holy days may result in students not having assignments or ready for tests the next day. |
|
Wednesday, Oct 1st or Thursday, Oct. 2* |
Maha Navami and Vijayadashami or Dussehra – Indian festival – Hindu community |
Some students and families may fast on certain days before. Students and families will be unable to participate in evening events that day. |
|
Monday, Oct. 6th |
Harvest Moon Festival/Mid-Autumn Festival – Chinese, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Called Chusok in Korean, Trung Thu in Vietnam Celebrated in some other East & Southeast Asian Communities |
Some students may be absent that day. Families may not be able to attend evening events. Community and family celebrations may result in students not having assignments or ready for tests the next day. |
|
Monday, Oct 6, (Sundown) and ends on Oct 8 at sundown |
Sukkot – Jewish community |
Students and staff may be absent on those days. |
|
Oct. 13 (sunset) and ends Oct. 14th (sundown) |
Shemini Atzeret – Jewish community |
Students and staff may be absent on Oct. 13-Oct. 15.
|
|
Oct. 14 (sunset) and ends Oct. 15th (sundown) |
Simchat Torah – Jewish community |
Students and staff may be absent on those days. |
|
Friday, Oct. 17th to Wednesday, Oct. 22 Main observance* – Monday, Oct. 20 and Tuesday, Oct. 21 |
Deepavali/Diwali (Festival of Lights) – Indian Communities – Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain |
Celebrations vary among the different communities. Some Jains may choose to fast for the two days of Diwali. Students and families will be unable to participate in evening events on Friday. |
|
Wednesday, Oct. 22 |
Birth of the Báb – Baha'i Community |
Families and students may not be available for events or students may not attend school. |
|
Thursday, Oct. 24 |
Birth of Baha'u'llah – Baha'i Community |
Families and students may not be available for events or to attend school. |
|
Wednesday, Oct. 29
|
Double Ninth Festival/ Chongyang Festival/ the Senior’s Festival –Chinese Community |
Students and families may be unable to participate in evening events. |
|
Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2 |
Dia de los Muertos – Mexican and some Central American communities Christian communities celebrate: All Saints Day – November 1 All Souls Day – November 2 |
Some students and families may not be able to attend evening events on Saturday. |
|
Sunday, Dec. 14 (sundown) to Monday Dec. 22. |
Chanukah/Hanukkah – Jewish Community |
For most students, it will not significantly impact their ability to engage with schoolwork such as homework or studying for exams. Please avoid comparing it to Christmas. Please keep in mind families will not be able to attend evening events on these dates. |
|
Tuesday, January 7 |
Greek Orthodox Christmas |
Please keep in mind families will not be able to attend evening events on these dates. |
|
Tuesday, January 14 |
Greek Orthodox New Year |
Some families may not be able to attend evening events. |
|
Tuesday, January 14 |
Makar Sankranti/Pongal/Bihu/Lohri – Hindu community and Sikh Community - Harvest Festival |
Some families may not be able to attend events in the evening. This may result in students not having assignments or ready for tests the next day. |
|
Sunday, Feb. 15 |
Maha Shivaratri (Festival for Lord Shiva) – Hindu community |
Some families may fast on the day. This may result in students not having assignments or ready for tests the next day. |
|
Tuesday, February 17th (Celebrations may last till Feb. 21) New Year’s Eve celebrations – Feb. 16 |
Lunar New Year/ Chinese New Year/ The Spring Festival – Chinese Community and a lot of East & Southeast Asian communities |
Students and families will start celebrating from the eve before Lunar New Year’s Day, and it is the most important festival in China or for people of the Chinese descent. Students will be attending family gatherings and festive events in celebration. Be aware as planning competitions and tournaments over Feb. break. |
|
Wednesday, February 25 to Sunday, Feb. 28 |
Ayyám-i-Há or Intercalary Days – Baha'i Community |
Many families will attend festive events and focus on service projects within the community all four days. Some families may be unable to attend some evening activities. |
|
Tuesday, Feb. 17 and ends on March 18 (sundown)* |
Ramadan – Muslim community |
Students aged 9 and above may be fasting from sunrise to sunset Impact on student ability to do PE or other strenuous activities. Impact on student’s ability to focus – especially toward the end of the day. Schools will provide alternative location for Muslim students who are fasting for lunch, away from the lunchroom. |
|
Wednesday, Feb. 18 |
Ash Wednesday – Christian community |
Students and families may be attending religious services in the evening. May impact student work the next day. |
|
Wednesday, Feb 18th and ends– Maundy Thursday, April 2 (Good Friday – April 3) |
Lent – Christian Community |
Ash Wednesday to Good Friday Christian community - Students may be impacted by religious services on Wednesday and Friday evenings. Please keep in mind families may not be able to attend school events on Wednesday and Friday nights during Lent. Many families may attend services on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday evening and may not be able to attend after school or evening events. |
|
Monday, March 2 (sundown) to Tuesday, March 3 (sundown) |
Purim – Jewish community |
Please keep in mind students and families may not be able to attend school events on those dates. This may result in students not having assignments ready those days. |
|
Monday, March 2 to Friday, March 20 |
Nineteen Day Fast – Bahai community |
Members of the Bahai faith ages 15-70 fast (food and drink) from sunrise to sunset |
|
Tuesday, March 3 |
The Lantern Festival – Chinese Community and a lot of East & Southeast Asian communities |
Some families may not be able to attend events in the evening. This may result in students not having assignments or ready for tests the next day. |
|
Tuesday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 4 |
Holi – Hindu community |
Students and families may attend family or festive gatherings in the evening. Many families will also have community celebrations the following weekend. Celebrations vary based on regions |
|
Monday, March 16* sundown |
The Night of Power/Decree (Lailat al-Qadr) – Muslim community |
Many students and families may not be able to attend events in the evening. |
|
Thursday, March 19 (sundown) to Friday, March 20 |
Eid al-Fitr – Muslim community |
Students may be absent the day of the celebration and the day after – big feast/family celebration (comparable to Christmas in Christian faith). Please keep in mind families will not be able to attend events on these dates. |
|
Thursday, March 19 |
Ugadhi – Telugu New Year – Telugu Indian Community |
Some families may not be able to attend events in the evening. |
|
Saturday, March 21 |
Naw-Rúz or Nowruz – Persian and Bahá’í Bahá’í Community, Also Middle East and Central Asia Persian New Year |
Members of the Bahai faith will be absent from school |
|
Thursday, March 26th or Friday, March 27* |
Ram Navami (birth of Lord Ram) – Hindu community |
Fasting is observed throughout the day. Some families may not be able to attend events on this date. |
|
Wednesday, April 1 (evening) and ends Thursday, April 9 |
Pesach – Passover – Jewish community |
Students refrain from eating certain foods such as bread and anything with leavening (avoid class treats with bread or leavening). April 1st, 2nd and 9th are the primarily impacted evenings of this holiday. Please keep in mind families and students are not available for events and may be delayed in turning in assignments on the first 2 nights and last night only. |
|
Friday, April 3 |
Good Friday – Christian Community |
Students and families may not be able to participate in events on this day. |
|
Sunday, April 5 |
Easter |
Families and students may be unable to attend events on Saturday and Sunday. |
|
Sunday, April 5 |
Ching Ming Festival, Qingming Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day or Ancestors’ Day – Chinese Community in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam |
Students and families may not be able to participate in events on this day. Students may be absent on Monday as they celebrate this day with their families and community. |
|
Sunday, April 12 |
Orthodox Easter |
Families and students may be unable to attend events on Saturday and Sunday. |
|
Monday, April 13 (sundown)- April 14 |
Yom HaShoah – Day of Remembrance – Jewish and other communities impacted by Nazi Holocaust |
Those who have family who perished, many of whom are observant/non-observant Jews, and others (non-Jewish even) may take time off in observance of this day in the memory of the approximately 6 million Jews and many others who were exterminated by the Nazi Holocaust. |
|
Tuesday, April 14 |
Baisakhi or Vaisakhi, Tamil New Year – Hindu or Sikh communities |
Students and families may not be able to participate in events on this day. (Spring Break) |
|
Tuesday, April 21 |
First Day of Ridván Festival – Baha’i Community |
Members of the Bahai faith will be absent from school |
|
Wednesday, April 29 |
Ninth Day of Ridván – Bahá’í Community |
Members of the Bahai faith will be absent from school |
|
Friday, May 1 |
Vesak – Buddha Day – Buddhist community Buddha Purnima – Hindu community |
Students and families may be absent from evening events. |
|
Sat, May 2 |
Twelfth Day of Ridván – Bahá’í Community |
Members of the Bahai faith will be absent from school |
|
Thursday, May 21 (evening) to Saturday, May 23 |
Shavuot – Jewish community |
Students may be absent on those days. Students may be absent on Friday and may not have assignments or ready for tests the following day. Please keep in mind families will not be able to attend events on these dates. |
|
Saturday May 23 |
Declaration of the Báb – Bahá’í Community |
Students and families may not be able to participate in school events. |
|
Tuesday, May 26 to Wednesday, May 27 (sundown) |
Eid al-Adha – Muslim community |
Students may be absent the day of the celebration and the day after – big feast/family celebration Please keep in mind students and families may not be able to attend events on these dates. |
|
Thursday, May 28 (sunset) to Friday, May 29 |
Ascension of Baha'u'llah – Bahá’í Community |
Members of the Bahai faith will be absent from school Friday. Families and students may be unable to participate in school events on Thursday and Friday. |
|
Tuesday, June 16 |
Muharram - Islamic New Year – Muslim community |
Students and families may not be able to participate in after-school events. |
|
Friday, June 19 |
Duanwu Festival - Dragon Boat Festival – Chinese Community and some members of East Asian Heritage |
Students and families may be unable to participate in events on this day. |