Excerpt:
The Paramus Board of Education moved ahead last week with accepting a report by the Calendar Advisory Committee, which did not recommend adding new holidays to the school calendar despite a push from local residents.
The Calendar Advisory Committee was charged with determining whether or not to close Paramus Public Schools for two Muslim holidays, Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, and Diwali, a Hindu holiday, in response to requests from the community.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Robinson said governmental entities must articulate valid secular reasons when determining to close for religious holidays. The criteria used to determine the holidays for which the school district closes is based on what the anticipated student and staff attendance is for that particular day.