Upcoming Dates & Celebrations
October 2023
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OVERVIEW
This is the second of ten Smore newsletters to be distributed this school year with the goal of sharing District calendar dates, school-related appreciation days, national recognition celebrations, and if applicable, related community events. All dates are posted to the Calendar Page of the FPS Website.
These Date Driven Smores and their contents are a work in progress. There is a group of community members working behind the scenes to help identify dates, the explanations of importance, and how we as a District approach them. If you'd like to submit a holiday or celebration acknowledgement for the 2024 - 2025 calendar OR if you'd like to submit a photo showing how your family honors any of the shared traditions or holidays, please complete the Cultural Calendar Form.
Stay tuned for the October "DNA" which will contain good news from around the district!
DISTRICT CALENDAR DATES
Operational dates listed within each month of the Annual District Calendar
Oct. 2 - No School: Preschool, Elementary, Middle, & High (PD)
Oct. 5 - Early Release: Elementary (Parent Conferences)
Oct. 5 - Family, Friends, and Neighbor Day - No Homework
Oct. 9 - No School: Indigenous Peoples' Day
Oct. 12 - Early Release: Elementary Schools (Parent Conferences) and Middle Schools (PD)
Oct. 18 - Collaboration Day: FHS
Oct. 19 - Early Release: Elementary Schools (Parent Conferences), Middle and High Schools (PD)
Oct. 26 - Early Release:Elementary Schools (Parent Conferences)
SOCIAL CELEBRATIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
As we move into the month of October, the trending events and holiday acknowledgements listed below will begin to pop-up on social media. Here is a little information about the upcoming dates and what they mean.
Month-Long Acknowledgements
National Principal Month
There are three really great organizations that help support principals at all levels.
The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) promotes the professional, occupational, and economic interests of public school principals, administrators, and supervisors nationwide. As the only national education union for school administrators, it provides labor relations and professional services along with other support for its members.
The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) advocates for the support that elementary and middle school principals need to be successful leaders—to achieve the highest results for children, families, and communities.
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for secondary school leaders. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student’s potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student.
Source: www.principalsmonth.org
National Physical Therapist (PT) Month
October is also National Physical Therapist Month which is a time to honor Physical Therapists and raises awareness of the many benefits of physical therapy. School-based physical therapists collaborate with other specialized instructional support personnel and school community members to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students, and build student achievement in all areas that affect academic success and wellness.
When physical therapists assist with a students’ ability to have physical access to their education, they are establishing positive, long-lasting benefits. All aspects of children’s learning and development are connected. Motor skills are among the tools that are essential for academic success. Physical therapists’ educational background, their thorough understanding of human development and motor proficiency, and the scope of physical therapy practice render them uniquely equipped to facilitate the development of these skills.
Source: www.apta.org
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Observed each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices that benefit employers and employees. ODEP has chosen "Advancing Access and Equity" as the theme for NDEAM 2023. NDEAM en español.
Learning Disability Awareness Month
October was originally designated in the United States as LD Month in 1985 through a proclamation(opens in a new window) by President Ronald Reagan. Organizations in the United States use this month to inform the public about learning disabilities through events and proclamations. This month we will share some educational content around various learning disabilities and links to resources for more information.
Sources: ReadingRockets.org and ldaamerica.org
LGBTQ+ History Month
LGBTQ+ History Month is a month-long celebration that occurs in October to observe lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer history. It also honors the history of gay rights. LGBTQ History Month was first celebrated in the United States in 1994, centering National Coming Out Day, which occurs annually on October 11th. It was first known as Lesbian and Gay History Month, the coordinating committee added bisexual to the title and later transgender. Gay and Lesbian Pride Month is also celebrated in June.
Islamic History Month
Largely observed in Canada, October is Islamic History Month. We've listed this in our Cultural Calendar which offers an opportunity to learn about the diversity of people who follow the Islamic faith, recognize their contributions, and honor the rich history of Islam. More to come on this!
National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15)
Hispanic Heritage Month began on September 15th and runs through the 15th of October. When re read this "8 Ways to Celebrate Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month" article from the Boys and Girls Club of America, we felt inspired to share some local Latine-owned restaurants in Framingham. Stay tuned on social media this month for a few recommendations!
Learn more: National Hispanic Heritage Month
October 2: School Custodian Appreciation Day
National School Custodian Appreciation Day is Monday, October 2nd. School custodians are the quiet heroes of the school. They are always the first to arrive each day, clean up messes, and befriend everyone that passes by. When you see your school's custodian(s) on Tuesday, be sure to give them extra thanks :)
ANDDDD if you want to experience a day on the job, tune-in to Dr. Tremblay's TikTok account on Monday. To show his appreciation, Dr. Tremblay recently job-shadowed Nelson and Dave, and even took on some Custodial duties at Harmony Grove!
October 6: National Coaches Day
No question: parents and teachers play a defining role in shaping a young person’s life. But let’s not forget about the coaches — especially on National Coaches Day October 6.
U.S. Olympic soccer gold medalist Julie Foudy once said that sports not only build better athletes but also better people. She should know. The lessons learned in athletic competition translate perfectly to all aspects of life. That’s because nearly all of the traits we associate as “positive” in other people play a crucial role in sports as well. Confidence. Communication. Teamwork. We won’t succeed on the field, in the office, or at home without them. The world’s best coaches, from Little League all the way to the World Cup, exemplify this winning tradition.
October 8 - 14: Fire Prevention Week
This year’s Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) campaign from the National Fire Protection Association, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention™,” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe when cooking. Use some of of these resources to get you started!
Cooking Safety Tip Sheet - Spanish
Electrical Cooking Appliance Safety Tip Sheet
Stay tuned for resources from the Framingham Fire Department as we get closer to this awareness week!
Source: https://www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week/About
October 9th - Indigenous Peoples’ Day
The first seed of Indigenous Peoples’ Day was planted at a U.N. international conference on discrimination in 1977. The first state to recognize the day was South Dakota in 1989. Berkeley, California, and Santa Cruz followed suit.
Although the day was still considered Columbus Day up to 1937, many people began calling it Indigenous Peoples’ Day to celebrate the rich culture and the lives of the Native American people.
For the Native Americans, Columbus Day was always hurtful as it glorified the violent past constituting 500 years of colonial torture and oppression by European explorers like Columbus and those who settled in America.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates, recognizes, and honors the beautiful traditions and cultures of the Indigenous People, not just in America, but around the world. Their way of life and culture carries wisdom and valuable insights into how we can live life more sustainably.
Source: https://nationaltoday.com/indigenous-peoples-day/
SAVE THE DATE For A Special Event!
Please mark your calendars for our community-wide annual recognition and celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Day. We will have student speakers and a land acknowledgment by the Nipmuc Nation People on October 9 from 12pm - 3pm at Farm Pond Park on Dudley Road. All are welcome!
October 9 - 13: School Lunch Week
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) serves nearly 30 million children every school day. President John F. Kennedy created National School Lunch Week (NSLW) in 1962 to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom. #NSLW23 Coloring Sheets & Activity Guide
Source: https://schoolnutrition.org/about-school-meals/national-school-lunch-week/#resources
October 15 - 21: America's Safe Schools Week
The National School Safety Center (NSSC), Governors and school superintendents across the country promote America's Safe Schools Week, October 15-21, 2023. This is an observance also actively supported by local, state and national public officials and professional organizations.
NSSC's goal in this campaign is to motivate key education and law enforcement policymakers, as well as students, parents and community residents, to vigorously advocate school safety. School safety includes keeping campuses free of crime and violence, improving behaviors, and increasing student attendance. Schools that are safe and free of violence, weapons and drugs are necessary to ensure the well-being of all children and the quality of their education.
During this week we will be sharing content that ties specifically to Framingham, for Framingham. Stay tuned!
October 16 - 20: National School Bus Safety Week
Held during the third full week of October each year, National School Bus Safety Week is an active and evolving public education program and an excellent way for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operators, school administrators, and other interested parties - to join forces and address the importance of school bus safety. Designed to promote school bus safety, school districts throughout the country observe School Bus Safety Week. More to come on this :)
Feeling artistic? Consider entering the 2023-2024 Poster Contest!
Source: https://www.napt.org/nsbsw
October 16 - 20: MA STEM Week
The Healey-Driscoll Administration is excited to sponsor and host Massachusetts’ annual STEM Week, focused on encouraging our students to “See Yourself in STEM.” The Healey-Driscoll Administration wants to remind students that YOUR stem future is OUR stem future—we all depend on future STEM leaders and innovators to deliver the progress and sustainable solutions that will make Massachusetts a world leader in combating the climate crisis.
October 18: Unity Day (Bullying Prevention)
Some of us just discovered Unity Day (or Day of Unity) which is celebrated on October 18th this year. This is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month when PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center promotes multiple anti-bullying campaigns. The key message of this month, and this day, is to unite for kindness, courage, and inclusion, to prevent students from being bullied.
JOIN US TO WEAR AND SHARE ORANGE ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 to show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying.
Sources: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/unity-day.asp and https://nationaltoday.com/day-of-unity/
October 26: Lights On Afterschool
Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things—such as science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do and poetry—and discover new skills. The events send a powerful message that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs.