Happy Ramadan!
To All Who Celebrate
How Admin, Teachers and Staff Can Support Muslim Students During Ramadan
Ramadan 2023
March 23-April 21st
Over 1.8 billion Muslims celebrate Ramadan.
During Ramadan, Pre-K-12 Muslim students exercise intense discipline in their mind, body and souls for 30 days.
Ramadan is the Muslim community's holiest month.
Ramadan is a month of shared unity and solidarity in the Muslim community.
Ramandan is a month of fasting and praying.
Practicing Muslim students will be fasting from 6am-8pm.
Oftentimes, fasting means no food or water.
Ramadan celebrations involve prayers late into the night.
Oftentimes, Muslim students are up past midnight for prayers and up the next morning around 5am to eat right before dawn and then to fast and pray for the very next day. This intense discipline lasts for 30 consecutive days and nights.
From a lens of diversity, equity and inclusivity, teachers, school staff and admin, please be understanding, while in school if Muslim students are a little more tired, hungry and thirsty.
Moms Against Racism.org
Snack Time During Ramadan: How Teachers Can Support Muslim Students
Avoid food-centric class events.
"During Ramadan, all adults who are able to are expected to fast from sunrise to sunset. Depending on which age you teach, you may have students participating in fasting in part or in full.
While food may be an element of some classroom celebrations, consider not making it the main event. Have classroom games and activities be the focus instead. This policy also benefits students with food allergies."
https://www.weareteachers.com/support-students-during-ramadan/
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/column-teachers-can-support-students-ramadan
Resource Information For Muslim Students, Families and Advocates
Resources For Muslim Students and Families:
https://news.cuna.org/articles/121063-fee-based-product-meets-muslim-financing-needs
LGTBTIA+ and A Muslim
https://www.npr.org/2018/04/15/602605271/a-mosque-for-lgbtq-muslims
https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Im-Muslim-I-Might-Not-Be-Straight.pdf
For Muslim Students with Special Needs
https://education.vermont.gov/student-support/vermont-special-education/resources-for-families
https://muslimunitycenter.org/special-needs/
Muslim Women Fighting Against Sexism
https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Hislam-Women-Faith-Sexism/dp/1525249622
Muslims Fighting Against Racism and Injustice
https://themaydan.com/2020/10/anti-blackness-in-the-muslim-world-beyond-apologetics-and-orientalism/
https://muslimgirlsmakingchange.weebly.com/
Happy Ramadan!
De-Dee Loftin-Davis
Executive Director of Anti-Racism and Equity
South Burlington School District
South Burlington, Vermont 05403