Islamic holiday Eid-al-Adha to be recognized as holiday for Rochester Public Schools

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Rochester Public Schools (RPS) says it will be adding the Islamic holiday Eid-al-Adha to its school calendar beginning in the 2027-28 school year.

As a result, there will be no school on May 5 in 2028, as it observes Eid. RPS adds that the district already sees higher absenteeism rates when Eid falls on a school day.

“New for the 27-28 calendar, May 5th, 2028, would be a non-duty day for instructional staff and a non-student day due to expected lower attendance of students whose families observe the holiday of Eid al-Adha,” Executive Director of Human Resources Karl Bakken said. “There’s a significant drop in student attendance on the day leading up to the holiday, the holiday and the day after the holiday.”

This adjustment was developed by the Rochester Education Association, along with the Rochester Principals Association.

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