Howard County Expands School Calendar's Holidays

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJZ) -- Howard County holiday controversy. Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus all have holy days on the calendar, but which ones should schools be closed for?

It's an issue that's been debated for quite some time, but now there's a decision that seems to have pleased everyone.

Ava-joye Burnett on why they made the decision.

Schools will be closed for three additional days, allowing Muslims and Hindus to stay home on some holidays.

For her entire public school career, high school senior Amna Hussain, who's also a Muslim, has had to miss school while she celebrated a Muslim holiday.

"Like Christmas. Imagine having to email admissions or drop off a note at school and then start celebrating Christmas," she said.

But that practice is about to change.

Thursday night, the Howard County Board of Education voted to recognize Lunar New Year, a Hindu holiday and a Muslim holiday.

"In the grand scheme of things, racially, especially what's going on now, I think it's good because it shows equality. It shows we're equal. We have a right to take off from school for religious purposes," said Amna Hussain, student.

For the 2016-2017 school year, Howard County schools are closed for two Jewish holidays in October.

Then, in December, they're closed for winter break--right in the middle of the Christmas celebration.

And then, in April of 2017, schools are closed for Easter Monday.

And for the first time ever, the county will recognize three additional religious holidays--a move that's getting praise from folks with different religion backgrounds.

"I believe in the Bible, it wants us to treat others the way we want to be treated. I think with the Muslims having their own holiday, I think I'd really appreciate that, too," said Regina Myers, Howard Couny parent.

"And I think especially with the children, it sends a strong message that it's important to learn to coexist," said Zainab Chaudry, Council on American Islamic Relations.

"The board felt strongly that we need to recognize the diversity in the county and we needed to find a way to do that in a fair and consistent manner," said Ellen Flynn Giles, vice chairwoman of the board

A decision the Hussain family is grateful for.

"Howard County becomes a model for other communities because we live in a diverse community and that's how our administration and Board of Education deal with these things," said Tahria Hussain.

The school system has to figure out how it's going to fit in those three additional days. It's not clear yet if they will be capped on to the end of the school year.

The county expects to release the final plan by spring.