Support FCPS School Closures on Days Coinciding with Diwali, Eid, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur

Take action now to support an FCPS school calendar that reflects Fairfax County's rich diversity.

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

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Contact Information
Support FCPS Faith Equity

Dear [elected official],

I am writing to strongly urge you to vote for the adoption of a calendar for the 2021-2022 school year that includes closures on days coinciding with Diwali, Eid, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It is long past time that FCPS address long-standing discrimination and inequity experienced by students and staff of minority faiths. FCPS now lags behind nearly all other Northern Virginia school systems in not including these closures in its calendar. I understand that adoption of a more equitable, inclusive calendar will involve adjustments; we are confident that, just as was done in Arlington, Loudoun, and Prince William counties, our school district’s elected and professional leadership can resolve those issues while addressing post-pandemic academic recovery. What is required is the will and good faith to do so.

I urge Board members to fulfill their obligation to nurture an equitable, inclusive learning environment where all FCPS students are valued and can flourish.

Sincerely, [Your information here]

This action alert is sponsored by an ad hoc committee of Fairfax religious groups advocating for faith equity in our schools. It is being hosted on the JCRC of Greater Washington's website for logistical purposes only. Please click here to read the JCRC's digital privacy policy.


To learn more about this issue and view the interfaith sign on letter, FCPS student petition, news coverage, and FAQs, click here.