The Indian/South Asian/Hindu population accounts for nearly 31% of the overall student body in the Rocky Hill school district. 

This petition calls for  for recognizing Diwali as a holiday in the Rocky Hill school district.

We are reaching out to the Rocky Hill Board of Education and requesting  the district to embrace the diversity and recognize Diwali as a formal holiday in it's school calendar.

Diwali is the Hindu religion ‘Festival of Light’, a time when people come together to celebrate good conquering evil, light conquering dark. This celebration of new beginnings coincides with the Hindu New Year.  It’s the biggest event in the Hindu calendar, and Sikhs and Jains celebrate similar festivals at the same time as Hindus celebrate Diwali. It is like Christmas and New Years combined for Hindus. They have rituals to  perform at home and also at temple  

In 2011 and 2013, the US Senate passed a resolution recognizing the historical and spiritual significance of Diwali for Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. Presidents Biden, Obama and Bush have hosted annual Diwali receptions in the White house.

Currently, students have the option of taking the day off and making up missed work. However, many parents, who stress education as top priority, hesitate to keep their children at home to celebrate and will leave the revelry for the weekend. The Hindu members of staff have to take their personal time off for Diwali. To facilitate Diwali celebration with family and friends we request the Rocky Hill Board of Education to recognize the culture of it's student body. 

Thank you for your support. Please sign this petition and mention your address as this is only for Rocky Hill CT residence. Please share with your friends so we can enable this change to happen.