After objections over conflict with holy day, Willamsville changes first day of school

The school district usually starts its first day of the new school year on a Tuesday, the day after Labor Day. Administrators had proposed doing that again this September. But this year, it is the same day as Rosh Hashanah, which starts at sundown Sept. 6 and ends at sundown Sept. 8.

Many Jewish parents keep their children home to observe the holy day, but usually, it falls later in the year.

Parents called and wrote School Board members, saying that they would have to choose between sending children on the first day of school or keeping them home for the religious observance.

"It's the first day of school coming off a pandemic year when everything is upside down," parent Karen Meltser said. "If you don't have a group of people there on Day One, that's a really tough way to start the year."

School Board members also said they were concerned that a significant number of students could miss the first day of school. 

Board members Tuesday night voted unanimously to approve the 2021-2022 calendar, with the first student day Sept. 8. The calendar also includes a day off in observance of Juneteenth for the first time. 

"I just want to thank everyone involved for hearing the community on the conflict on opening day of school and adjusting in response to that," Board Member Eric Borenstein said.

"I’m very excited to see that our opening day is Sept. 8 as a welcome back and a major celebration that will include all of our students," Board member Suzanne Van Sice added.

The district does give the whole student body off on Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement. The holiday is known as fall recess.

A Jewish Federation community study in 2013 found the Jewish population in Erie County is about 12,000. The study found 44% of Jewish families with children – approximately 1,000 families – lived in the Williamsville School District.