Excerpt:
Muslim students and families in Niles Township last week asked District 219 high school officials to recognize their faith's major holy days by closing district schools on those days.
"You've brought up some good points," Niles Township District 219 school board president Robert Silverman told Niles West junior Farah Khan. Khan, of Lincolnwood. "This is a start, so our administration can definitely look at it."
Khan spoke to the board on Nov. 17, on behalf of a group of about 20 students and parents. She said the Muslim community is growing -- about 14 percent of Niles West students are Muslim, she said -- and they would like parity with other groups whose holy days prompt school closings.