Ottawa Carleton District School Board

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has a strong commitment to human rights, equity and inclusion, and recognizes and respects the diversity across our faith and cultural communities. Throughout the year, many OCDSB students and staff members may be absent from school or work to observe a particular religious/creed date or date of cultural significance. To better meet the needs of students, staff members, and families, the OCDSB avoids scheduling events, evaluations, field trips, and other important activities on many of these dates. The information below provides guidance for the observance of faith days and dates of significance by all schools and workplaces in the District.

There are many days and months of significance throughout the year. Information about these dates may be included in class lessons, shared on social media, posted on the District website, or shared in other channels. These dates provide important opportunities to learn about the histories, celebrations, and challenges faced by various communities.

To view dates of religious significance, see our Multifaith Calendar.

To view days and months of cultural, educational, and identity-based significance, see the links on the sidebar, including our Days and Months of Significance page.

Please note, the dates reflected on these pages are not meant to be exhaustive and may be updated as dates are changed or confirmed.

Starred Dates 

“Starred Dates” represent the most significant dates of observance as identified by local leaders of creed/faith/religious and spiritual groups served by the District. Events should not be scheduled on these dates, for staff or for students, unless there are significant extenuating circumstances. Rare exceptions are sometimes necessary where conflicts cannot be avoided due to extenuating circumstances such as when provincial assessments and evaluations and/or extended field trips overlap with Starred Dates. Through the approval of the superintendent, an exception can be made and accommodations will be offered and arranged for students impacted where a conflict with the Starred Date cannot be avoided. Exceptions are only made after detailed consideration of the impact to students and staff participating, the availability of learning opportunities and their educational value. Starred Dates are reflected in the chart below.

Note:

* Tentative dates subject to the sighting of the moon each month.
** Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date.
All Islamic, Jewish and Bahá'i Holy days commence at sundown on the preceding day.

For some observances, there are a range of days considered Holy or of significance. These are provided where applicable in the fourth column for information purposes and are not considered Starred Days.