List of the small number of religious or cultural clubs at SLOHS. Graphic courtesy of SLOHS website.
Religion is a huge part of many students’ personal lives but when school comes into play there often are many barriers.
San Luis Obispo High School’s winter break is designed to fall during Christmas, but it does not include other religious winter holidays in that break. There are many students that celebrate other religions but do not have a break that falls during their holiday.
“I mean, a breaks a break, but I think that it’s not really fair towards other religions because when I have a holiday I have to take days off from school, and it’s not usually excused,” said Junior Dilpinder Thandi when asked about minimal breaks lining up with other religious holidays.
Although students can have religious holidays excused they still have the possibility of missing out on assignments and work. The Department of Education of California states that students can be excused from school “due to observance of a holiday or ceremony of his or her religion, attendance at religious retreats.”
Religion often comes up in classes but students may have noticed the lack of conversation about various religions. Legally teachers are allowed to share about religions in particular lessons but cannot endorse it or add their own opinions. Religion can bring students together as well as educate communities about different cultures and many students believe schools should celebrate religious holidays. “I believe they should be celebrated in school because it shares culture and builds community. It can also bring more awareness to other cultures, plus you get more breaks,” said Senior Shiv Panchal
There are over four thousand organized religions which may be the reason why schools are not able to line breaks up with all religious holidays. We may not see all of those religions in our community but it does seem to limit religious freedom, especially in school.
Another concern schools face is the possibility of other students disagreeing with cultures and discriminating against them. Schools teach about religion which opens up other students to the possibility of a disagreement, so why can’t religion be celebrated at our school? The lack of students’ ability to share about religion and their religious celebrations could be further silencing students to share about their culture.
Students that want to continue sharing their religion and culture are encouraged to hold group prayers, create religious clubs and wear religious attire here at San Luis Obispo High School.
