As public school students embark on their high school journeys, the pressures of fitting in, keeping up with classes and balancing outside activities are already hard enough.

Now, imagine facing the struggles that come from having to choose between one’s education or one’s religion because many public school systems do not take into account the religious practices of their students.

Despite any stereotypical discourse, Blue Valley hosts a diverse student body with many religions — however, many members feel as though their religion is not honored properly.

Even if there is just one student who practices a specific religion, it is the job of the school to provide them with the means to adequately perform their religious practices.

Why should students be denied a meal because the cafeteria does not provide options that adhere to that group’s practices?

If students who observe Lent express that they feel the school district has not provided them with an adequate amount of time to observe said holiday, something needs to change.

Why should a student be penalized and criticized for missing an APUSH test because it was scheduled on the day of Yom Kippur?

And, on that note, why was any school activity of dire importance scheduled on a holiday that a considerable number of the population celebrates? There is no acceptableexcuse for why students should be punished with an unexcused absence or a zero in the grade book for missing school during an important holiday in their religion.

Creating religious equity in schools is far more than just half-hearted policy o performative actions — it is about fostering a considerate environment that caters to the unique needs of religious students so they may feel safe and comfortable in educational spaces.

It is certainly realistic for schools to support their students and staff becoming educated about the importance of maintaining a safe space for religious students while also remaining wholly secular.

Blue Valley has taken a considerable step in the right direction by creating prayer rooms for students who take part in the Islamic holiday of Ramadan; however, not every school in our country, or even Kansas, has the decency to create this kind of safe and accepting environment for their spiritual students.

Many religious holidays are marked in nearly every calendar — it is time that public school districts start being attentive toward every date.