Article Text
Fairfax County Public Schools is modifying its calendar after updated lunar sightings moved the anticipated start of Eid al-Adha one day earlier.
The holiday is now expected to begin at sundown Thursday, June 5, and continue through Friday, June 6. It had previously been anticipated to begin at sundown June 6. Some mosques worldwide may interpret the date differently.
FCPS will designate Thursday evening and Friday as modified observance periods, known as O days. Students observing Eid al-Adha may be excused Friday without academic penalty.
Events that cannot be rescheduled on short notice will proceed as planned. Students who miss those activities will receive an alternative day after the holiday to complete their work.
Graduation ceremonies scheduled for two high schools Thursday evening cannot be moved. Those schools will contact students and families about alternative ways to recognize graduates who cannot attend because of the holiday.
Quizzes, tests, field trips and FCPS-scheduled athletic contests typically do not take place during observance periods. Because the calendar changed so late, however, activities that cannot be moved will continue during the modified observance period.
FCPS also warned of possible bus delays Friday because transportation employees may be celebrating the holiday. Families can monitor delays through the Bus Delay Notification System or the FCPS Mobile App.