By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR The West Windsor-Plainsboro school district will not be adding Diwali to its list of school holidays just yet.
Recently, Rajan Zed, a Hindu statesman from Nevada, said Hindus want the West Windsor-Plainsboro district along with seven other New Jersey school districts to declare Diwali as a school holiday.
But the West Windsor-Plainsboro board has already approved the school calendar for 2013 and that holiday is not included.
”The calendar for next year is already fixed,” said Board of Education president Hemant Marathe. “But we will certainly include that in the mix of the discussion for the calendar for the following year.”
Director of Communications Gerri Hutner emphasized that a lot of factors go into creating the 180-day school calendar.
”There’s a balance when creating a calendar to ensure a strong time period for teaching and learning and balancing that with the needs of the community and their values and beliefs,” she said.
Ms. Hutner explained the district’s curriculum includes understanding multiculturalism in the community. Even though students are expected to be at school for a variety of specific holidays, understanding and teaching about those holidays is incorporated into the curriculum.
She added that there are excused absences for students and staff members who don’t come to school for religious reasons or holidays.
”Families can celebrate if they need to during the school day,” she added. “Neither students nor staff will be penalized.”
Mr. Marathe, who also celebrates the holiday, said many Indian communities celebrate Diwali in functions during the weekend. The township also holds a celebration in the evening of the first day of Diwali at the township hall.

