Update! Austin ISD Will NOT Close Schools on Good Friday; Here’s What to do next…

Last Thursday, the Texas Values team testified at the Austin ISD school board meeting in an effort to consider adding Good Friday back to the school calendar. A majority of those who testified at the meeting testified in favor of adding Good Friday back to the school calendar. Ultimately, the Austin ISD school board voted on new school calendars for this year and next year. Good News: Schools will be closed on Good Friday NEXT year. Bad News: Students and teachers will NOT have Good Friday as a day off from school this week. The only change that was made to this year’s calendar was to rename March 31, Dolores Huerta Day.  

However, students still have the freedom to take the day off to observe Good Friday. Texas Education Code 25.087 allows students to be excused to observe religious holy days. If you live in Austin ISD or a school district that is choosing to not close schools on Friday, send them the email below so you can have an excused absence for Good Friday. As we know, many churches will be having services throughout the day on Good Friday to commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on that day, and others use Good Friday to prepare for services on Easter Sunday where children often play a major and central role to the service. This is why it has been historically a common practice for schools to be closed on this day.  

Some other school districts besides Austin ISD are choosing to have students attend school on Friday as well. If this applies to you and your child, you can also use the letter below to have an excused absence. As a reminder, an excused absence should NOT count as a penalty towards your student for not attending school.  

If you live in a different school district, add your school district name. You will need to email this letter to your student’s teacher and/or the person at your student’s school who handles school attendance.  

Dear Austin ISD,  

It has come to my attention that my student will not have the day off on Good Friday April 3. As a Christian who would like to observe this holiday and participate in religious services and activities on that day, I am requesting an excused absence per Texas Education Code 25.087. My student will not be attending school on April 3, and I request that you do not mark my student absent and allow my student to make up any exams or assignments upon my student’s return to the classroom the following week.  

Sincerely,  

(Your name)