As schools continue working toward inclusion and community building, Ramadan is an important opportunity to make Muslim American families feel genuinely seen and supported.

For many Muslim American students, Ramadan is an important month centered around fasting, prayer, reflection, family, and generosity. From dawn to sunset, many students go without food or drink during the school day while balancing academics, sports, extracurriculars, and social life.

More often than not, students freely choose to fast. After my kids turned 7, they asked to do a “baby bird fast,” and set the goal to fast for 3-4 hours. My youngest, who is always afraid of being hungry, surprised us all by having the willpower to wait. When my oldest started middle school, he insisted on fasting the whole day. He found camaraderie in his Muslim classmates who were also fasting.

The good news is that supporting Muslim families during Ramadan usually does not require huge changes. Most of the time, it comes down to thoughtful planning and simple awareness.

Be Mindful of Food-Centered Events

So many school traditions revolve around food. Pizza parties, bake sales, ice cream socials, and PTA family nights can unintentionally make fasting families feel left out.

Schools do not need to cancel these traditions, but it helps to think about timing and balance.

If possible, PTA boards can:

• Move heavily food-centered events outside of Ramadan
• Add activities that are not centered around eating
• Avoid putting fasting students in awkward social situations

A family game night or literacy night can feel much more welcoming during Ramadan.

Think About Sunset Scheduling

Muslim families break their fast at sunset during a meal called iftar.

Scheduling PTA meetings, performances, concerts, banquets, or open houses right at sunset can make it difficult for Muslim families to participate. There have been so many events that I’ve arrived with a date, a water bottle, and a samosa in my purse as my first meal of the day, feeling trapped until I could go home to eat and pray.

Whenever possible:

• Avoid major events during iftar time (sunset)
• Offer flexible arrival times or departure times
• Provide water or light snacks if families arrive while fasting

Of course, avoiding school events for an entire month is not realistic. But if schools and PTA boards want to be especially mindful, there are a few key nights during Ramadan that are best avoided for major events or mandatory meetings.

• The first night of Ramadan is often spent with family as Muslims welcome the beginning of the holy month together.
• Laylat al-Qadr, which falls on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, usually an odd night, is considered the holiest night of the year for many Muslims and is often spent in prayer and worship late into the night.
• Chaand Raat, the evening before Eid, is also an important cultural and religious celebration for many families, especially South Asian Muslims. It is often a time for shopping, gathering with loved ones, getting henna, decorating, and preparing for the Eid celebrations the next morning.

Offer Alternative Lunch Spaces

For some fasting students, especially younger children, spending lunch in a loud cafeteria surrounded by food can feel uncomfortable. Some students fast every day, while younger children may participate in smaller ways, e.g., “baby bird fast” after school or on weekends.

Schools can help by offering:

• A quiet classroom
• Library access
• A counseling office space
• A supervised indoor area for reading, drawing, or relaxing

Not every student will want this option, and that is okay. The goal is flexibility and comfort, not separation. Some of my favorite emails are from librarians who say they use my activity sheets in their library during Ramadan for kids who are fasting. P.S. I love librarians.

Understand That Students May Be Tired

Many fasting students wake up before dawn to eat breakfast before the fast begins. By the afternoon, some students may feel physically tired or mentally drained.

A little extra grace during Ramadan can make a huge difference.

Teachers and staff can support students by:

• Offering lower-intensity PE activities
• Being mindful of demanding schedules
• Giving students opportunities to rest when possible
• Responding with empathy instead of frustration

Students should not feel punished for participating in an important part of their faith.

Consider Giving Families and Staff Time Off for Eid

This is a big one! One of the most meaningful ways schools can support Muslim families is by recognizing Eid as an important religious holiday. After a month of fasting, prayer, and community, Eid al-Fitr is a major celebration for many Muslim families, similar to how other families may prioritize Christmas traditions.

When possible, schools and districts can avoid scheduling major tests, performances, field trips, or mandatory events on Eid. PTA boards can also be mindful about avoiding volunteer obligations or school celebrations that make Muslim families choose between their faith and school participation.

For Muslim students and staff, taking the day off for Eid should not feel like an inconvenience or something that requires excessive explanation. Unfortunately, it often does. So, creating a school culture that treats religious absences with understanding and respect helps families feel included and valued.

My hope, of course, is that in the future, public schools in diverse cities will have the Eid holiday off. And follow the lead of the New York School District.

Ask Muslim Families What They Need

One of the best things PTA boards and school administrators can do is ask Muslim families directly how they can help.

Every family practices Ramadan differently. Muslim Americans come from a multitude of cultures and practices. Opening the door for conversation helps schools avoid assumptions and build stronger relationships with families.

Small Changes Make a Big Difference

Supporting Muslim families during Ramadan does not require schools to change their calendars or traditions completely. Often, inclusion looks like small, thoughtful choices:

• Adjusting an event time
• Offering a quiet lunch space
• Showing flexibility
• Publicly acknowledging Ramadan

When schools make these efforts, Muslim students and families feel what every family wants to feel at school: that they belong!

Peace and Salam,

Natasha