• ASD serves a diverse population and takes pride in our sensitivity to the various cultures that live in our community. As a public school system we are required by the U.S. Constitution to maintain religious neutrality. We should neither encourage nor discourage religious activity. 


    The following guidelines and resources are an attempt to more clearly articulate current policy and offer assistance to ASD employees in determining the appropriateness of school activities as they relate to important events and activities around religious holidays and cultural dates of significance.

  • Dates on which activities* cannot be scheduled

    In order to maximize student involvement in school activities and to accommodate the needs of students and families, no after-school activity shall be scheduled or hosted by the district on the dates listed below.

     

    *Activities include but are not limited to: sports team competitions, school open houses, academic competitions, dances, student performances, retreats and student government conferences. This prohibition does not include regular practices or regular club meetings.

     

    The following are days on which activities shall not be scheduled. The board may add or subtract from this list at a single board meeting as long as the action is on the agenda and properly noticed in advance. [Anchorage School Board policy 350.2]

     

    U.S. holidays Observance
    2019-20 
    		 2020-21 2021-22
     

    Thanksgiving Day

    		 11/28/2019  11/26/2020  11/25/2021
    New Year's Day 1/1/2020 1/1/2021 1/1/2022
    Religion Observance
    2019-20 
    		 2020-21 2021-22
    Christianity

    Christmas

    		 12/25/2019  12/25/2020 12/25/2021
    Good Friday  4/10/2020 4/2/2021 4/15/2022
    Easter 4/12/2020 4/4/2021 4/17/2022
    Christianity/ Orthodox

    Christmas

    		 1/7/2020 1/7/2021 1/7/2022
    Easter/Pascha 4/19/2020 5/2/21 4/24/2022
    Islam

    Eid al Fitr (Breaking of Fast)

    		 5/23/*-5/24 5/12*-5/13 5/2*-5/3 
    Eid al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) 8/10*-8/11  7/30*-7/31 7/19*-7/20 

    Judaism

    Rosh Hashana (New Year)

    		  9/29*-10/1 9/18*-9/20  9/6*-9/8

    Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

    		  10/8*-10/9 9/27*-9/28  9/15*-9/16 
    Pesach (Passover)  4/8*-4/10 3/27*-3/29  4/15*-4/17 

     

    ˆThese holidays begin at sundown the previous day. Passover lasts seven days (while some observe eight), however our local Jewish community considers the first two days the most important for seders.

     

    +These holidays begin at sundown the previous day. The Islamic calendar is based on lunar observation. Dates may vary based on local lunar sightings; visit www.alaskamasjid.com for more information.