Ramadan

History: Muslim Month of Fasting. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset with the last ten days reserved for possible all night prayer vigils. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities, if possible, on the first day of Ramadan. Be aware that students and employees will be fasting during the day for 30 days."Some Muslim students or their parents may ask that they be exempted from rigorous activity in their Physical Education classes during Ramadan. Physical Education teachers are encouraged to allow fasting Muslim students to participate in alternative activities during Ramadan in order to avoid the possibility of dehydration or hypoglycemia resulting from strenuous exercise, especially when the weather is hot and it could lead to heat exhaustion. Grading practices in P.E. should not penalize students who strive to fulfill this religious obligation.High-stakes standardized testing during Ramadan may fall in the month of May, both state tests and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate. This places the burden on high school students and their families to decide how to manage studying and test-taking. Their decisions will vary on whether to “tough it out” fasting, or take a break from fasting for test day. Whatever the solution, the encouragement of teachers and suspension of any personal judgements will be valuable and appreciated. The fact is, many students fast during challenging times and succeed. Each family and individual must know their own limits and interpret accordingly. A principle of Islam is that God is merciful and the duties of Islam are not to cause hardship. Allowances are built into the requirements." (Ramadan Guide)