Since the 1990s, Wellesley Public Schools have been closed on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Good Friday, in addition to the mandated statewide legal holidays. In recent years, requests have been made to add additional religious/cultural holidays to the calendar, and in December 2023 the School Committee voted to add three holidays to the 2024-2025 calendar: Lunar New Year, Eid al-Fitr, and Diwali.
This past spring, a task force was appointed to study the recognition of religious/cultural holidays and make recommendations. The Task Force considered several options, ranging from a statewide-holidays-only option to this year’s 6-holiday option.
Last week, the Task Force presented their recommended option to the School Committee. This option retains Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Lunar New Year as holidays. It also adds either Eid Al-Fitr or Eid Al-Adha (depending on the year) and removes Good Friday and Diwali. The School Committee will continue to listen to feedback from the community before voting at the November 19 meeting.
We encourage you to make your voice heard on this important issue. Share your comments with the School Committee via email at: School_Committee@wellesleyps.org Public comment is also available at the November 12 and November 19 School Committee meetings, which will be held on Zoom.
Many parishioners have asked for help in explaining the particular significance of Good Friday for Catholics. Good Friday is the day that our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified and died. It stands out in the liturgical calendar as a day of pivotal importance and solemnity for us as Catholic Christians – a day meant for prayer and fasting. Good Friday and Easter are inextricably linked. Together, Christ’s death on the cross and his resurrection are at the very center of Christian belief and worship, the most important days in the liturgical year.
Please use the links below to learn more about the background, charge, and process.
Background Information, Updates, and Links to Recordings of Previous Meetings
Calendar Task Force Recommends 4-Holiday Model
Executive Summary – ACTF Process Overview & Recommendations
Wellesley Public Schools Academic Calendar Task Force (includes links to recordings of previous meetings)
Academic Calendar Task Force Survey Results