Religious Expression Days

The district follows Ohio law and established board policy to allow for accommodations for religious expression days. The follow resources are available to help families understand religious expression days.

South Euclid-Lyndhurst Schools Policy and Procedures

Per the Student Handbook, students shall be provided "released time" during the school day to attend a course in religious instruction conducted by a private entity off District property, in accordance with the requirements of Policy 5223.

To receive accommodations for religious expression days, parents or guardians must submit written requests to the Principal within fourteen (14) days after the start of the school year or fourteen (14) days after a student is enrolled in the District. The requests must specify the religious expression day(s) to be approved. The Principal will approve the days without inquiring into the sincerity of a student's religious or spiritual belief system.

Students who are absent on approved religious expression days will not face any academic penalties and will be provided with academic accommodations with regard to examinations and other academic requirements that are missed.

Religious Expression in Ohio Schools

Per Ohio Department of Education & Workforce (ODEW), pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 3320.04, which became effective on Oct. 24, 2024, the Department of Education and Workforce compiled this non-exhaustive list of major religious holidays for the next two school years which schools and districts may use and add to when creating their policy for excusing students for religious expression.  

Schools and districts must adopt a policy that reasonably accommodates a student’s sincerely held religious beliefs and practices for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief system. Students are given up to three religious expression days per school year provided that the parent or guardian provides written notice to the school or district of the selected days within 14 school days of the start of school (or within 14 days of a newly enrolled student’s first day in the school or district). The policy must allow students to participate in interscholastic athletics or other extracurricular activities on a religious expression day.

Schools and districts must post and communicate the policy to families and students. Each school or district must collaborate with the student and family on accommodations needed when there is a conflict between a religious expression day and a school assessment or academic requirement. No inclusion or exclusion of a religious holiday or festival on this list shall preclude a student from full and reasonable accommodations for any sincerely held religious beliefs and practices for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief system.