Statement on WCPSS 2022-23 Traditional Calendar

The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary has received reports from the community about the Wake County Public School System’s Traditional Calendar for the 2022-23 school year.   

Over the years, the WCPSS has worked to accommodate Jewish students by designating either Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur as a Teacher Work Day, but on the proposed 2022-2023 school calendar, there are no Teacher Work Days scheduled for the first day of Rosh Hashanah nor Yom Kippur. 

The Jewish Federation is currently working with the school board’s calendar committee to address the situation.  We have received the following updates: 

• WCPSS agreed to have an official representative of the Jewish Federation’s JCRC attend future calendar meetings to ensure accurate information on Jewish holidays.  

• WCPSS had incorrect information about the timing of Rosh Hashanah for 2022.  So, they are currently working to change the teacher workday so that it falls on the First day of Rosh Hashanah (Monday, September 26). 

• WCPSS states it is currently unable to schedule a teacher workday for Yom Kippur in 2022 due to conflicting calendar needs. JCRC is continuing to work with WCPSS to ensure that no Jewish students are penalized for being out of school on Yom Kippur and advise schools not to plan major events or tests for that day. 

We will continue to provide updates on this situation. JCRC thanks community members who brought this matter to our attention, and to WCPSS for addressing this issue quickly to ensure that the needs of Jewish students are met. 

If you have questions or information that would be helpful, contact JCRC at jcrc@shalomraleigh.org