York Region is rich in culture and diverse in religious beliefs and practices based on faith.

The dates listed below are some faith holidays of particular significance to members of the major faith communities in our Board. We are committed to affirm and value equally the faith diversity in our schools, therefore, events such as field trips, school concerts, conferences, meetings, workshops, other professional events, co-curricular activities, and exams/tests will not be scheduled on these dates:

Baha’i	RIDVAN	April 21, 2014
Buddhist	LUNAR NEW YEAR	January 31, 2014
Christian	CHRISTMAS	December 25, 2013
(Eastern)	CHRISTMAS	January 7, 2014
(Western)	GOOD FRIDAY	April 18, 2014
	HOLY FRIDAY	April 18, 2014
Hindu	DIWALI	November 3, 2013
Jewish	ROSH HASHANAH**	September 5 – 6, 2013
	YOM KIPPUR**	September 14, 2013
	PASSOVER/PESAH**	April 15, 2014
Muslim	EID-UL-FITR*	August 8, 2013
	EID-UL-ADHA*	October 15, 2013
Sikh	VAISAKHI	April 14, 2013

* Tentative dates subject to the sighting of the moon each month.
** All Jewish Holy Days commence on the preceding evening at sunset.

Exceptions are sometimes made in the case of extended field trips. These exceptions are made with Superintendent approval and take into consideration the impact to students participating, the availability of learning opportunities and their educational value.

Please note that in addition to the above listed dates, YRDSB will take reasonable steps to accommodate students and staff members of a faith group for whom the Board’s and the school’s operations or requirements create undue hardship and interfere with their ability to exercise their religious beliefs and practices.

These dates may include, but are not limited to the following:

Baha’i	RIDVAN (the 9th and 12th day)	April 29, May 2, 2014
Buddhism	WESAK	May 25, 2013
Christian (Western)	ALL SAINTS’ DAY	November 1, 2013
	ASH WEDNESDAY	March 5, 2014
Hindu	HOLI	March 17, 2014
Jewish	PASSOVER	April 15 - 22, 2014
	SUKKOT	September 19 - 25, 2013
	SHAVUOT	May 15 – 16, 2013
Muslim	ASHURA*	November 13, 2013
	RAMADAN*	July 10 – August 8, 2013
Sikh	BIRTHDAY OF GURU NANAK DEV JI	November 17, 2013
	BIRTHDAY OF GURU GOBIND SINGH	January 5, 2014
Zoroastrianism	NAW RUZ (New Year’s Day)	March 21, 2014

This list does not represent all observances practicied by YRDSB diverse-faith community.

Please refer to the “Accommodation of Religious Requirements, Practices and Observances: A Guideline”, for additional information, for religious accommodation at YRDSB.

The Board also advocates the recognition of “Days of Significance” as outlined in the Holidays and Observances Calendar, throughout the school year and recommends that individual schools, in consultation with their School Councils, develop appropriate ways of celebrating such significant days in keeping with inclusive curriculum.

For additional information please contact your school’s Principal or Superintendent.