The Bensalem Township School District will be among the 20 other Pennsylvania school districts that will be closed on October 24th, for Diwali, the festival of lights.
Bensalem Schools join a host of other PA Districts
They join Central Bucks, Central York, Coudersport Area, Council Rock, Downingtown Area, Ferndale Area, Great Valley, Greenville Area, Lower Moreland Township, New Hope-Solebury, North Penn, Owen J. Roberts, Pennsbury, Punxsutawney Area, Spring-Ford Area, Unionville-Chadds Ford, Upper Darby, Upper Dublin, Upper Merion Area, and West Chester Area school districts.
Diwali, which the Bensalem schools added as a holiday in 2021 is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, as well as some, Buddhists. It is traditionally known for the victory of good over evil. Each year, family and friends within the Hindu Faith gather to enjoy food and festivities and offer delicacies in front of idols at a temple.
Governor Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania Department of Education Acting Secretary Eric Hagarty, and Pennsylvania Board of Education Chairperson Karen Farmer White have been urged by the growing Hindu community to add Diwali as an official holiday in all Pennsylvania public schools and have the private, charter, independent, and parochial schools follow suit.
The Jewish High Holy Days were added to the list of recognized holidays in 1988.