Press Release Details
SFUSD Proposes Resolution to Recognize Days of Cultural Significance on District Calendars
San Francisco (September 19, 2022) - At its regular board meeting Tuesday, Sept. 20, the San Francisco Board of Education will vote on a resolution introduced by San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne to support students who wish to honor their cultural commitments.
Through the resolution, the Board recognizes that further analysis is needed to determine the ways in which SFUSD may further its commitment to inclusivity through recognition of culturally significant holidays. The resolution will stay the implementation of Resolution 225-10A1, as well as call on SFUSD to provide additional analysis for how SFUSD can recognize culturally significant holidays, and recommend changes to the district's academic calendar after further analysis.
The resolution requires the completion of the process and presentation of recommendations to the Board of Education before the adoption of the 2023-24 school year.
The resolution states that “acknowledging days of cultural significance can be achieved in different ways, including, but not limited to, the recognizing days of cultural significance on the District-wide calendar.”
“Tolerance, inclusiveness, and respect for all people, cultures, and religious and spiritual beliefs are fundamental values championed by the San Franciscan community at all levels,” said Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne. “The resolution will set in motion a process in place to ensure that we are living up to our values and including SFUSD’s diverse students and families.”
On Aug. 9, 2022, the Board adopted Resolution Number 225-10A1, as Amended (Resolution 225-10A1), to recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as school holidays in the SFUSD Academic and Instructional Calendars starting in the 2023-24 school year.
Since the adoption of Resolution 225-10A1, commissioners requested that the Superintendent establish criteria for including holidays in the SFUSD calendar that would reflect the values of the district. The proposed resolution does not prohibit the recognition of Arab-American Heritage Month.
Read the full resolution.
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