The
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has a strong commitment to human
rights, equity and inclusion, and recognizes and respects the diversity
across our faith and cultural communities. Throughout the year, many
OCDSB students and staff members may be absent from school or work to
observe a particular religious/creed date or date of cultural
significance. To better meet the needs of students, staff members, and
families, the OCDSB avoids scheduling events, evaluations, field trips,
and other important activities on many of these dates. The information
below provides guidance for the observance of faith days and dates of
significance by all schools and workplaces in the District.
Starred Dates
“Starred Dates” represent the most significant dates of observance as identified by local leaders of creed/faith/religious and spiritual groups served by the District. Events should not be scheduled on these dates, for staff or for students, unless there are significant extenuating circumstances. Rare exceptions are sometimes necessary where conflicts cannot be avoided due to extenuating circumstances such as when provincial assessments and evaluations and/or extended field trips overlap with 'Starred Dates'. Through the approval of the superintendent, an exception can be made and accommodations will be offered and arranged for students impacted where a conflict with the Starred Date cannot be avoided. Exceptions are only made after detailed consideration of the impact to students and staff participating, the availability of learning opportunities and their educational value. “Starred Dates” are reflected in the chart below.
2023
Date
|
Days of Observance
|
Faith or Observed by
|
|
September 16 & 17, 2023 *
|
Rosh Hashanah
|
Judaism
(Commence on evening of Sept. 15)
|
|
September 25, 2023*
|
Yom Kippur
|
Judaism
(Commence on evening of Sept. 24)
|
|
September 30, 2023*
|
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)
|
Indigenous
|
|
October 24, 2023*
|
Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
|
Hinduism
|
|
November 12, 2023*
|
Diwali
|
Hinduism
|
|
December 25, 2023*
|
Christmas
|
Christianity
|
2024
| Date |
Days of Observance
|
Faith or Observed by
|
|
January 7, 2024 *
|
Christmas – Feast of the Nativity
|
Christian (Orthodox)
|
|
February 10, 2024 *
|
Lunar New Year - Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean New Year
|
Buddhism/ Confucian/Daoism
|
|
March 29, 2024 *
|
Good Friday
|
Christianity
|
|
March 31, 2024 *
|
Easter
|
Christianity
|
|
April 10, 11, 12 2024 *
|
Eid-al-Fitr **
(End of Ramadan)
|
Islam (3 days Holy Days)
(Commence on evening of Apr. 9/10)
|
|
April 20 2024 *
|
Ridvan
|
Bahá’i (12-day Festival)
(Commence on evening of April 19)
|
|
April 23 & 24 *
April 29 & 30 *
|
Pesach (Passover)
|
Judaism (Commence on evening of April 22)
First two and last two days are observed as holy days
|
|
May 3, 2024 *
|
Holy Friday
|
Christianity (Orthodox)
|
|
May 5, 2024*
|
Orthodox Easter
|
Christianity (Orthodox)
|
|
June 17, 18, 19, 20 2024 *
|
Eid-al-Adha **
|
Islam (4 days Holy Days)
(Commence on evening of June 16/17)
|
|
July 16, 2024 *
|
Ashura **
|
Islam (Commence on evening of July 15)
|
Note: * Tentative dates subject to the sighting of the moon each month
** Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date
All Islamic, Jewish and Bahá'i Holy days commence at sunset on the preceding day. |
For some observances there are a range of days considered Holy or of
significance. These are provided where applicable in the third column
for information purposes and are not considered Starred Days.