Lexington schools recognize more holidays

Two years ago, fifth-grader Nikhil Shah stood before the Lexington School Committee, urging administrators to recognize Indian holidays like Diwali. His words sparked something bigger. 

The following year, educators, religious leaders, PTO members and community representatives — led by School Committee member Kathleen Lenihan — came together to discuss adding Lunar New Year, Diwali and Eid to the school calendar.

This year that idea became a reality.

For the first time, the district included these holidays on the school calendar, giving students a break to celebrate their cultures. For many families, it was a long-awaited win.

“I was really excited because I never expected Lunar New Year to be recognized as a federal holiday,” said Avia Liao, a sophomore at Lexington High School. 

Lunar New Year, widely celebrated across East and Southeast Asian cultures, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is often a time for family gatherings, feasts and traditions.

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu holiday symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and reflection.

The district’s recognition of these holidays reflects its diverse and growing community. Lexington has the highest percentage of Asian residents in Massachusetts, with 33% identifying as Asian, according to U.S. Census data. It’s even higher in Lexington’s public schools, where nearly 50% of students identify as Asian, according to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

“It was especially nice because I feel like Lunar New Year celebrations are a lot like Christmas,” Liao said. “The main exciting stuff happens the night before, and the day after is just a hangover day.”

Celebrating with family—without worrying about school the next day—was a refreshing change for Liao. 

Although she noted that some students may not fully understand the significance of the holiday, she believes the recognition has opened up opportunities for cultural awareness among her peers.

Beyond the day off, the new school policy is seen as a step toward broadening cultural education.

Mamata Banerjee, a support educator for special education students in Lexington Public Schools, described these holidays as an “eye-opening experience.”

“The kids were excited to have a long weekend and wanted to invite friends from all backgrounds to celebrate Diwali together… making diyas, lighting them and sharing sweets,” Banjeree said. “It’s all about bringing everyone closer through celebration.”

She emphasized that these holidays can help children grow up to be more inclusive and open-minded, embracing one another’s cultures and religions through shared experiences of joy and food.

Robin Strizhak, president of the Lexington Education Association, said adding these holidays to the school calendar is a step in the right direction but only a starting point for true cultural inclusion.

“Kids need to know that their values and cultural ethos are just as important and ‘worthy’ as the Christian-Judaic observances are,” Strizhak said.

Few employers recognize these holidays, though, so some families had to arrange for child care or activities for their children.

Genevieve Wang, a Lexington parent of a second-grader, said her family typically celebrates Lunar New Year with a family dinner on the weekend.

“My husband and I don’t get the day off, so on Lunar New Year my daughter attended a sewing camp in Wellesley,” Wang said. “Most camps we’ve seen cost around $150 to $200 and fill up fast. We’ve tried everything — painting, sewing, STEM, improv…”

While Wang does not expect employers to recognize these holidays, she supports the school district’s decision to acknowledge them for students. 

Strizhak said she recognized holidays should reflect the community’s needs.

“If a religious or cultural holiday leads to significant absenteeism, then yes, it makes sense for it to be recognized,” Strizhak said. “The holidays observed should align with the demographics of the community and workplace.”

Diya Nigam, a sophomore at Lexington High School and youth chair of the Indian Americans of Lexington’s education committee, said having these holidays off acknowledges the diverse backgrounds of the student body and ensures that students do not have to choose between their education and their cultural or religious celebrations.

“Not having Diwali off meant I couldn’t spend the day with my family or fully enjoy the festival,” Nigam said. “Imagine having to go to school on Christmas Day.”

Nigam’s family chose to live in Lexington for its diverse and culturally welcoming environment. She believes that recognizing these holidays brings awareness to a new level.

“Now, every household in Lexington knows about Diwali, Eid and Lunar New Year,” she said.

Although Nigam appreciates the inclusive step, she thinks Lexington can go further by incorporating more cultural studies into the school curriculum.

“We have so many lived experiences in our community,” Nigam said. “We should invite speakers from different communities into classrooms to share their stories.”

This story is part of a partnership between the Lexington Observer and the Boston University Department of Journalism.