One of our many goals as an educational institution is to be sensitive to and respectful of the diverse voices, experiences, ideas, and religions within our community.  These efforts are in alignment with our strategic plan, New Trier 2030, and our emphasis on helping our students, staff, and families feel like they belong in the New Trier community. Each year, we provide our staff with a list of some of the major religious and cultural holidays observed in our community during the school year. Staff are encouraged to add these dates to their calendars as reminders.

For students who are honoring religious or cultural observances, including those that are not a day off in our school calendar, we work together as a school community to be sensitive, understanding, and flexible. Teachers will consider what assignments can be forgiven. If assignments must be completed, students must be able to make up assignments that are due during the holiday period or immediately after. Teachers must work with students to determine an appropriate time to make up assessments and any major assignments that are required and were missed due to their observances. 

We ask teachers to discuss what will be covered and collaborate on a plan with students so they can make up assignments and assessments without penalty. Students observing these days also should be excused from athletic, performing arts, or club obligations. If a student has a question or concern, they should bring it up with their adviser, teacher, coach, or sponsor. All staff have been advised of the school’s commitment to allowing students to observe holidays with their families. 

*The exact dates for Passover and Ramadan in 2025 may vary slightly based on lunar sightings and local observance.

Here are the major holidays and descriptions we share with our staff. While the list is not exhaustive, it covers many of the religious and cultural observances our students and families have shared with us as significant. 

The student and staff prayer room is available for use. For assistance in finding a space, please contact the Associate Principal for Student Services office.

October 2024

Rosh Hashanah (Tradition: Judaism)

Begins at sundown Wednesday, October 2 and ends sundown Friday, October 4

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the two "High Holy Days" in the Jewish religion. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the creation of the world,  Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Awe (also known as the Ten Days of Repentance) that conclude on Yom Kippur. It marks the beginning of the holiest time of the year. Jewish families will spend a significant amount of time in synagogue during this period. New Trier will be closed from Thursday, October 3 to Friday, October 4. Classes will resume on Monday, October 7.

Yom Kippur (Tradition: Judaism)

Begins at sundown Friday, October 11 and ends sundown Saturday, October 12

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year. It is a day of atonement, and many Jewish families fast for 25 hours in order to focus on matters of the spirit and ask for forgiveness. Jewish families will spend a significant amount of time in synagogue during this period. No major assignments/assessments should be due Monday.

November 2024

Diwali (Tradition: Hinduism)

Friday, November 1

Diwali is an Indian holiday known as the Festival of Lights. Diwali takes place each year after the conclusion of harvest and to coincide with the new moon between mid-October and mid-November. Hindu Festival of Lights symbolizing the human urge to move toward the light. Often celebrated with lights shining outside of houses, temples, and buildings. The festival and rituals last five days. This year Diwali starts on Tuesday, October 29 and ends Sunday, November 3. Some students may take Monday, November 4 off and no major assignments/assessments should be due. Friday, November 1 is the Hindu New Year for some, but not all, Hindu families.

December 2024

Hanukkah (Tradition: Judaism)

Begins sundown of Wednesday, December 25 and ends sundown Thursday, January 2

The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews' victory over occupying forces in 165 BCE, which re-established for a time their religious and political freedom. This year the first Hanukkah candle is lit on the evening of Wednesday, December 25 and ends sundown Thursday, January 2.

Christmas (Tradition: Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic)

Begins on Christmas Eve, Tuesday December 24 and ends midnight of Christmas Day, Wednesday December 25.

Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.  No one knows the exact date of Christ’s birth, but most Christians observe Christmas on December 25. On Christmas Eve, December 24, many go to church where they take part in special religious services.

Kwanzaa (Tradition: Interfaith USA)

Begins Sundown of Thursday, December 26 and ends sundown Wednesday, January 1

Seven-day spiritual celebration of African-American values and traditions and their continued vitality. “Kwanzaa” is Swahili and means “first fruits of the harvest.”.                                      

January 2025

Lunar New Year (Confucian/Daoist/Buddhist)

Begins on Wednesday, January 29 and ends Wednesday, February 12

Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year or Chunjie, Vietnamese Tet, Korean Solnal, and Tibetan Losar, also called Spring Festival, is typically celebrated in China and other Asian countries that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later. This is the Year of the Snake. The New Year falls on Wednesday, January 29, and the main celebration runs through the Lantern Festival on Wednesday, February 12. Approximately 10 days before the beginning of the new lunar year, houses are thoroughly cleaned to remove any bad luck that might be lingering inside, a custom called “sweeping of the grounds.” 

February 2025

Ramadan (Tradition: Islam)

*Is expected to run from the evening of Friday, February 28th or Saturday, March 1st to Sunday, March 30th or Monday, March 31st. It will last for 30 days.

The Holy Month of Ramadan is the month of fasting during which Muslims who are physically able do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset for 30 days in honor of the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslim students and faculty may find it challenging to partake in strenuous activities or events

involving food. Students who observe Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr will have limited time and energy to study and do homework and may require accommodations in KW class and athletics.

March 2025

Ash Wednesday (Tradition: Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic)

Wednesday, March 5

A special day of repentance observed by Protestant and Roman Catholic Christians to mark the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance, and self-denial preceding Easter. The name derives from the practice of marking the faithful with ashes to signify penitence.

Holi (Tradition: Hinduism)

Begins sundown Friday, March 14 and ends sundown Saturday, March 15

A joyous spring Hindu festival that is dedicated to Krishna in some parts of India; in other parts of India, it is dedicated to Kama, the God of Pleasure. People throw colored water or colored powder in celebration.

Holi takes place over two days and is the celebration of the triumph of good over evil as well as a day to celebrate love, happiness, good harvest, and the changing of the seasons from winter to spring.  It is celebrated throughout the world, but especially in India.

Laylatul Qadr (Tradition: Islam)

*Is expected the evening of Thursday, March 27

Ramadan includes Laylatul Qadr, also known as the “Night of Power.” It is one of the most important and sacred nights in the Islamic calendar.

Eid al-Fitr (Tradition: Islam)

*Is expected the evening of Sunday, March 30 or Monday, March 31

The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid al-Fitr, a three-day celebration. Eid al-Fitr is a joyous Islamic holiday that involves waking up early, participating in a special congregational prayer, dressing in one’s finest clothes, decorating the house, preparing special foods, and exchanging gifts. Students who observe will have limited time and energy to study and do homework and may require accommodations in KW class and athletics.

April 2025

Passover (Tradition: Judaism)

Begins sundown Saturday, April 12 and ends sundown Sunday, April 20

Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home, starting with the Seder, a ritual meal that re-enacts that ancient deliverance and emphasizes the freedom of the Jews under the guidance of God. The first two and the last two days are holidays. Activity is not permitted on April 13-14 and April 19-20.

Good Friday (Tradition: Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic)

Friday, April 18

Good Friday is also called Holy Friday and is the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death. New Trier will be closed Friday, April 18 and classes will resume on Monday, April 21.

Holy Friday (Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox)

Friday, April 18

The day that commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ, i.e., his death by crucifixion. It is the Orthodox equivalent of "Good Friday."

Easter Sunday Pascha (Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox)

Sunday, April 20

Celebrates the resurrection from death of Jesus Christ. It is the oldest and most important festival in the Christian year and initiates the 50-day period culminating in Pentecost. Protestant and Roman Catholic Christians often observe Easter on a different date than Orthodox Christians, but in some years, they fall on the same day.

Easter Sunday (Tradition: Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic)

Sunday, April 20

Easter is an important annual religious feast in the Christian liturgical year. In Christian belief, Jesus was resurrected from the dead three days after his crucifixion. Many Christian denominations celebrate this resurrection on Easter Day or Easter Sunday, two days after Good Friday.  The chronology of his death and resurrection is variously interpreted to be between 26 and 36 AD. The first week of the Easter Season is known as Easter Week which also marks the end of Lent, a season of prayer and penance.

Yom HaShoah (Tradition: Judaism)

Begins sundown Wednesday, April 23 and ends sundown Thursday, April 24

Memorializes the six million Jews who died as victims of the Nazis during World War II and emphasizes respect for human dignity. Its observance is not limited to Jews. Begins at sundown. It is marked on the 27th of the Hebrew month of Nisan, a week before Yom Hazikaron. The day is commemorated across the world with services, ceremonies, educational programs, testimonials from survivors and with the lighting of candles.

June 2025

Eid-al-Adha (Tradition: Islam)

Begins sundown Friday, June 6 and ends sundown Saturday, June 7

Eid-al-Adha is a major Muslim holiday marking the end of the annual five-day Hajj, or pilgrimage, of more than 2 million Muslims from around the world to the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Practicing Muslims also fast from dawn to dusk the day before Eid-al-Adha, which is a day of atonement and one of the holiest days of the Islamic year.

Juneteenth (Official Federal and State Holiday)

Thursday, June 19

January 1,1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared more than three million enslaved peoples living in the Confederate states to be free (this did not apply to border states that remained loyal to the Union). Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and gave word to enslaved African Americans that they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Also known as "Emancipation Day" or "Freedom Day," Juneteenth traditions include public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, singing traditional songs such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and reading works by prominent African American writers. There are also celebratory events such as rodeos, street fairs, cookouts, family gatherings, street parties, historical reenactments, and Miss Juneteenth contests. New Trier will be closed on Thursday, June 19 and summer school classes will resume Friday, June 20.