Show your support for EPSB to adopt inclusive holidays.
Since 2020 a committed group of student leaders, parents & teachers has been working with EPSB (board & admin) on building a school calendar that reflects EPSB’s values, inclusion/belonging & the practical needs of students. This group has identified important holidays in consultation with the community (Africa Centre, Bent Arrow Indigenous Healing Society, Beth Shalom Synagogue, Chinese Benevolent Association, Sangath Youth (Sikh), numerous mosques, & IslamicFamily.ca. Together we've collected over 300 signatures.
In 2022/23 & 2023/24 adding Bandi Chhor Divas, Diwali, Eid-ul-Adha, Eid-ul-Fitr, Indigenous Peoples Day, Lunar New Year, Winter Solstice & Yom Kippur as holidays to the calendar would require shifting only 4 school days. These days were selected because of their significance; many have festivities/obligations that overlap with the school day. EPSB’s existing holidays are not neutral; they reflect colonial structures & entrenched privilege. They’re also not reflective of practical reality; many classrooms experience double digit absences on significant cultural holidays that make regular teaching impractical.
EPSB trustees & admin have been incredibly supportive but we need them to take action and make inclusive holidays a reality. In 2020 EPSB shortened the calendar by five days because of a budget shortfall – this was a missed opportunity to demonstrate to students that their culture & identity are welcome in school. Let’s fix this for 2022 and beyond.
School trustees have the ability to direct 5 non-operational days off, (currently used for extra long-weekends). These days should be used to improve student belonging and recognize holidays important to Edmontians.