GCPS Calendar of Observances and Heritage Months
Gwinnett County, the most diverse county in Georgia, is home to Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS). We take pride in celebrating the diverse ethnicities, cultures, faiths, and religious affiliations that our more than 182,000 students represent. This diversity is not just a statistic but a vibrant tapestry that we all contribute to and benefit from.
Significant religious observances of the major faith groups represented in the United States are included in this calendar to help teachers, administrators, and other staff members promote a welcoming climate that is sensitive to religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity. Teachers and administrators are encouraged to consider possible conflicts when scheduling tests and planning schoolwide activities and programs to promote participation and support families of all faiths in the school community. Some religious observances begin at sunset or the lunar sighting the evening before which could affect families’ participation in evening events. Restrictions may vary based on the tradition observed by individual families and their faith group. For some noted observances, students and staff may be absent from school or work. In some cases, older students and adults may be fasting. Note that some Jewish fast days (with no asterisk) begin at sunrise and end at sunset on the same day.
To promote deeper understanding and inclusivity across our diverse communities, GCPS is sharing this resource with our entire community, not just employees. This resource is designed to honor and elevate awareness and reverence for the cultural customs, festive observances, and religious rituals that shape the experiences of our students, staff, and community members. Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, cultural months will not be called out on our district’s homepage; instead, we will use this space to provide facts, resources, and information about the numerous holidays, recognitions, and celebrations that our students, families, and staff celebrate throughout the year. Student and staff awards, honors, and annual educational recognitions will continue to be recognized through our district and school communication platforms.
We strive to present information that is accurate and relevant, using multiple national sources to create this resource. The Communications and Media Relations Department has made every attempt to ensure the accuracy of the dates in this list. The information has been verified through the use of various sources. While this list is not comprehensive, it includes the most common and universal observances as noted in the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Resources for Planning the School Calendar 2024–25, Interfaith Calendar, Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Calendar of Observances, Scouting America’s Calendar of Religious Observances 2025, www.hebcal.com, www.islamicfinder.org, and www.bahai.us.
If you believe there is content that should be added or corrected on this page, we welcome your input and encourage you to reach out. Please contact us at communications@gcpsk12.org with your suggestions.
In the calendar listings below, some holidays are marked with the following
notations:
* Religious observance begins at sundown of the previous day and ends at sundown on the date listed.
** Religious observance begins at lunar sighting of the previous day and ends at lunar sighting on the date listed. All such dates are estimated and may vary.
# Religious observances may vary significantly by region, country of origin, or ethnic, or cultural group.