We, the undersigned parents, families, students, and community members, respectfully ask the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) to adopt a district-wide practice of consulting its published Religious Observance Calendar before scheduling major student events.

This petition was prompted by the scheduling of the Elementary Track Meet on Saturday, September 12, 2026, during Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the Jewish year. However, this is about much more than one track meet.

Throughout the school year, students participate in athletic competitions, performances, academic competitions, testing, field trips, club activities, and other important school and district events. When these are scheduled on major religious holidays, students and families may be forced to choose between participating in school opportunities and observing their faith.

DCSD already publishes a Religious Observance Calendar to recognize important holidays observed by members of our diverse community. If these dates are important enough to be identified by the district, they should also be considered when scheduling district-wide student events.

We recognize that scheduling for a large school district is complex and that not every conflict can be avoided. We are not asking DCSD to eliminate Saturday events because of Shabbat, nor are we asking the district to accommodate every religious observance. Instead, we ask that major religious holidays already identified on DCSD's own calendar be avoided whenever reasonably possible when scheduling district-wide student opportunities.

This request is not limited to Jewish holidays. The same consideration should be given to all major religious observances included on DCSD's published calendar, ensuring that students of every faith have equal access to educational and extracurricular opportunities.

We respectfully ask DCSD to:

• Reschedule the September 12, 2026 Elementary Track Meet.
• Review the Religious Observance Calendar before scheduling district-wide events.
• Avoid scheduling major student events—including athletics, performances, competitions, testing, field trips, and other district-sponsored activities—on the major religious observances recognized by DCSD whenever reasonably possible.
• Establish a clear scheduling review process so similar conflicts are prevented in the future.

This is a simple request rooted in fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Students should never have to choose between practicing their faith and participating in opportunities offered by their public schools.

By taking religious observances into account during the planning process, DCSD can better reflect the diversity of our community and ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate.