Several months ago FCPS released two proposed calendar options for the 2021-2022 academic year that for the first time included school closures on days coinciding with Diwali, Eid, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur (Calendar Option A and Calendar Option B). In early February, the School Board, without any meaningful advance notice, added a third calendar option for consideration (Calendar Option C), which does not include any of the four recommended closure days. On March 2nd the board directed FCPS staff to develop a 4th option for its consideration, which may or may not include these days off.
The School Board's actions are a blow to the advancement of equity for all students. It is long past time for the Fairfax County School Board to join its counterparts in Loudoun, Arlington, and Prince William counties in addressing the disadvantages experienced by minority-faith students and staff, by adopting a school calendar that reflects the rich diversity of our community.
Complete the form below to take action now and speak our for an inclusive calendar that respects our county's rich diversity and ends unfair treatment of minority-faith students!
Emails will be sent to all members of the Fairfax County School Board: Karen Keys-Gamarra, Member-at-Large; Abrar Omeish, Member-at-Large; Rachna Sizemore Heizer, Member-at-Large; Megan McLaughlin, Braddock District Representative; Elaine Tholen, Dranesville District Representative; Melanie K. Meren, Hunter Mill District Representative; Tamara Derenak Kaufax, Lee District Representative; Ricardy Anderson, Chair, Mason District Representative, Karen Corbett Sanders, Mount Vernon District Representative; Karl Frisch, Providence District Representative; Laura Jane Cohen, Springfield District Representative; Stella Pekarsky, Vice-Chair, Sully District Representative; and Nathan Onibudo, Student Representative