Religious Accommodation Guidance

Introduction 

The BSD Religious Accommodations Guidance affirms the Bellevue School District’s commitment to respecting and supporting the religious and cultural diversity of its students and families. Consistent with state law and district policy, the District recognizes that students may hold sincerely held religious beliefs and practices that intersect with school activities, attendance, and instructional schedules. This guidance is intended to clarify students’ rights related to religious expression and observance, outline the responsibilities of schools and staff, and promote consistent, respectful, and lawful accommodations by fostering open communication and thoughtful planning, Bellevue School District seeks to ensure that all students can fully participate in their educational experience while honoring their individual faith traditions. 

Religious Accommodations for Students: 

See Policy 2340: Religious-Related Activities and Practices.   

• Section B states that a student may decline to participate in a school activity that is contrary to his/her religious convictions. 
• Section I states that a student, upon the request of a parent, may be excused (as an excused absence) to participate in religious instruction for a portion of a school day provided the activity is not conducted on school property. (Credit will not be granted for such instruction.) 
• Section J states that upon receipt of a parent(s) request, a student will be excused from attending school in observance of a religious holiday. 
• Section K states that students may wear religious attire or symbols provided they are not materially and substantially disruptive to the educational process. 
• Section L states that as matter of individual liberty, a student may of his/her own volition engage in private, non-disruptive prayer at any time not in conflict with learning activities. School staff will neither encourage, nor discourage a student from engaging in non-disruptive oral or silent prayer or any other form of devotional activity. 

Student Absences due to Religious Observance: 

See Policy 3122: Excused and Unexcused Absences 

 The key to supporting students is communication between the student/family and teacher(s) as soon as practical, and in advance, if possible, to plan for making up assignments/learning activities during a multi-day excused absence and/or upon return from an absence(s). Although consistent attendance for students is essential, Policy 3122 Section A.4 Excused Absences states Religious or cultural purpose including observance of a religious or cultural holiday or participation in religious or cultural instruction (WAC 392-401-020) is a valid excuse for an absence. 

Policy 3122 Section C Excused Absences states that if an absence is excused, the student will be provided the opportunity to make up all missed assignments/and or activities in the manner determined by the teacher. Students and families are encouraged to communicate with the teacher regarding excused absences as soon as possible and ideally prior to the excused absence. Where reasonable, if a student misses a participation-type class, they can request an alternative assignment that aligns with the learning goals of the activity missed. 

Calendar Dates: 

The District is committed to raising awareness about the religious and cultural diversity of our students and families and continues to elevate inclusive considerations related to religious and cultural observances and practices in developing school and district calendars. While calendars cannot accommodate every religious/cultural observance, it is understood that students may end up missing school and important school events to honor their religious practices. Given the increasing diversity of our community, the district recognizes individual schools know their community and expects schools to consider the accommodation and support that can be provided to students if schools are unable to avoid scheduling conflicts with religious/cultural dates. Accommodation and support could include things like modifying homework expectations, scheduling of assignments and assessments etc. The District Calendar is published annually on the district website.  

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction encourages districts not to schedule significant school events on major religious holidays and to that end publishes an annual  Common Religious, Cultural Observances, and Federal Holidays Calendar. The purpose of this calendar below is to assist in this effort to raise awareness about religious holidays practiced in public schools across the state of Washington. School districts and schools that plan around major religious holidays convey to all students that they are a meaningful part of their school communities and their religious traditions matter  and the days that students may or not be at school due to religious observances and the days that students may be fasting. 

Testing Dates: 

The Bellevue School District uses a variety of assessments to support student learning and measure academic progress. These assessments are aligned with Washington State learning standards and are used to guide instructional practices and decision-making within the district.  Testing dates are published annually on school calendars and posted on school websites. School staff should consider these testing windows and their building activities to make proper considerations for their school communities religious and cultural observances.