Month and Week Acknowledgements
It began as Women’s History Week in 1982 and it wasn’t until 1994 that Women’s History Month was more widely recognized. Since 1995, annual proclamations celebrate the countless contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
Learn more about this month and explore event highlights: https://womenshistorymonth.gov/
Arts in Our Schools Month
Also known as 'Youth Art Month', this is an annual celebration for all things related to the arts and arts education for kids. It has been celebrated across the country since 1961! Art is an important tool and means of expression for children of all ages. It helps children explore their thoughts and emotions and translate them into something creative. Children become more self-aware, communicate better, and have an improved sense of self-esteem and well-being when they practice the arts. Stay tuned this month for several Arts related posts honoring this month!
Source: https://nationaltoday.com/youth-art-month/
Music in Our Schools Month
For more than 30 years, March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®). This month-long dedication is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the benefits that school music brings to students of all ages.
There are several opportunities to hear music in our schools this month! Feel free to explore: https://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/Domain/74!
Source: https://nafme.org/programs/miosm/music-in-our-schools-month-miosm/
Theatre in Our Schools Month
The month of March also historically known as time to celebrate and talk about the power of #TheatreInOurSchools every single day. And yet, we can advocate for its inclusion all year long!
Theatre educators are raising awareness of the benefits of theatre education and together we can draw attention to the need for more access to theatre education for all students. Help spread the message to your communities—friends, family, social media followers, school boards, elected officials, and more—that theatre education teaches vital 21st-century skills critical to success on and off the stage!
Week of March 1st
On this day, we celebrate the joy of learning and give thanks to the parents, caregivers, educators, librarians, authors, and community members who invest in our Nation's children. Special thanks go to Literations, Read to a Child, Framingham Police and Fire Departments, JFS of Metrowest, Framingham Public Library, Foundation for Metrowest, and Mathworks - all of whom support literacy programs in our schools!
Learn more about Read Across America Initiative and find book recommendations that reflect their experiences and expand their horizons. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america
March 3: Employee Appreciation Day
On #EmployeeAppreciationDay we want to thank ALL of our incredible, hard-working staff. The district employs 2,348 people who are dedicated and committed to supporting each other, our students, families, and our facilities. On this day, and every day - we thank you!
Week of March 6th
The School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) is proud to promote National School Social Work Week, held the first full calendar week of March (Sunday - Saturday). We look forward to celebrating and recognizing the vital role that our School Social Workers provide to students, administrators, teachers, educators, parents, and the community!
The theme for National School Social Work Week 2023 is “We Rise.” School Social Workers rise up - supporting their students, families, and school communities. School Social Workers rise to share hope. They rise to listen and understand. They rise to challenge inequities. They rise to support all students.
#WeRise2023 #SSWWeek2023
March 8: Holi
Every spring, people across India and around the world celebrate the Hindu festival Holi, throwing colored water and powders on one another in joyous celebration. On this one day—the full-moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna—societal rankings such as caste, gender, age, and status are eschewed in the spirit of making merry together, and everyone is fair game to be doused with color.
Holi’s traditions vary throughout the country and have their roots in Indian mythology. A story goes that Krishna, a Hindu deity who is considered a manifestation of Vishnu, fell in love with the milkmaid Radha, but he was embarrassed that his skin was dark blue and hers fair. In order to rectify this, he playfully colored her face during a game with her and the other milkmaids. This is thought to be an origin of the colored water and powder throwing. The general merrymaking is also seen as characteristic of Krishna, who is known for his pranks and play.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/story/holi-festival-of-colors (Feel free to read more or do your own research on this colorful holiday!)
Week of March 13th
March 14: Pi Day
Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14) around the world. Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159. Pi Day is an annual opportunity for math enthusiasts to recite the infinite digits of Pi, talk to their friends about math, and eat pie.
Source: https://www.piday.org/
March 17: St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick’s Day observes of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green. Celebrated annually on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday known for parades, shamrocks and all things Irish. From leprechauns to the color green, find out how symbols we now associate with St. Patrick’s Day came to be, and learn about a few that are purely American inventions.
Week of March 20th
March 20: First Day of Spring
This year the March equinox happens on March 20, at 5:24 P.M. EDT. This falls on a Monday and is the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere. After the spring equinox, the Northern Hemisphere begins to be tilted more toward the Sun, resulting in increasing number of daylight hours, with earlier dawns and later sunsets! Bring it on!
Source: https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-spring-vernal-equinox
March 22: Ramadan Begins
Ramadan is a spiritual month for Muslims that is marked by special observations such as fasting and nightly prayer. This year Ramadan began at sunset on Wednesday, March 22nd and ends at sunset on Friday, April 21st. Ramadan is on a lunar calendar and moves up 11 days each year.
Source: https://www.muslimaid.org/what-we-do/religious-dues/when-is-ramadan/
Many practicing Muslims observe fasting and additional prayers during Ramadan. Not everyone is expected to fast, as those who are ill, have certain medical conditions, are traveling, pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as elderly folks may decide not to fast. Fasting is not obligatory for children and there is scholarly debate on what that age might be, though most scholars do recommend that fasting start when one reaches adolescence, anywhere from 13 and up. Some children may start younger and practice “half-days,” meaning they fast from either morning until about lunchtime, or from lunchtime until evenings.
Ramadan is also an exercise in self-restraint. Muslims are encouraged to avoid gossip and arguments. Many Muslims use Ramadan as a time to reset and start anew, creating new goals and improving old ones to improve oneself and rejuvenate the spirit and the soul.
Ramadan is considered one of the holy months in the Islamic calendar. Kindness, forgiveness and charity are recommended and often pursued as good practice in faith. It is also a time to be more compassionate and show empathy to those who are in need.
Sources: https://www.brandeis.edu/spiritual-life/resources/guide-to-observances/ramadan.html and last year's write-up on Ramadan (from the FPS Website)
