WB Inclusive
Acknowledgements and Celebrations October 2023
Dear WB Families,
October is full of inclusive holidays and events that reflect the diverse, global landscape in which we live and work. There are public holidays for virtually every part of the world, including religious holidays that may impact work schedules, schools and more.
Month Long Acknowledgements and Celebrations
- Bilingual Child Month
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Filipino American History Month
- Italian American Heritage Month
- LGBTQ History Month
- Polish American History Month
- Red Ribbon and Anti-Bullying Month
October Acknowledgements and Celebrations:
October 2 – International Day of Nonviolence
October 9 – National Indigenous Peoples’ Day (United States)
October 10 – Thanksgiving Day (Canada)
October 10 – World Mental Health Day
October 11 – National Coming Out Day (LGBTQ+)
October 15 – Navrati begins (Hindu)
October 15-21 Safe Schools Week
October 16 – Birth of the Bab (Baha’i)
October 16 – Waste Reduction Week
October 16 – Bosses’ Day
October 19 – Spirit Day (LGBTQ+ anti-bullying)
October 20 – Sikh Holy Day (birth of Guru Granth)
October 22 – International Stuttering Awareness Day
October 23-31 Red Ribbon Week Theme "Be Kind to your Mind"
October 25 – Birth of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)
October 31 – Halloween
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), also referred to in the United States as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.
Filipino American Heritage Month
Filipino American Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States throughout the month of October. This observance aims to recognize and celebrate the contributions, culture, and heritage of Filipino Americans in the United States. It was officially recognized by the U.S. Congress in 2009 through a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. October was chosen because it commemorates the arrival of the first documented Filipinos in the United States, who landed in Morro Bay, California, on October 18, 1587. During Filipino American Heritage Month, various events, festivals, exhibitions, and cultural activities take place across the country.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Since the 1980s, October has been designated as Down Syndrome Awareness Month to raise public awareness of Down Syndrome and advocate for acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome. For more information about Down Syndrome or Down Syndrome Awareness Month, please see the following resources:
ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Italian American Heritage Month is celebrated every year to honor and recognize the centuries of achievements, successes, and valuable contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans. Italian American Heritage Month was first celebrated in 1989 by a special proclamation of both Congress and President George H. W. Bush.
Over 5 million Italians immigrated to the United States between 1820 and 2000. Currently, there are over 26 million Americans of Italian descent residing in the United States. This makes Italian-Americans the fifth largest ethnic group in our nation. Each year Italians around the country take time to celebrate their heritage, history, and culture with festivals and parades. The largest parade occurs on Columbus Day in New York City and has over 35,000 marchers!
LGBTQ History Month
LGBT History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. It was founded in 1994 by Missouri high-school history teacher Rodney Wilson.
National Coming Out Day 2023
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 is National Coming Out Day. The first ever National Coming Out Day was recognized and celebrated on October 11, 1988. Educators are often safe people for students. In fact, for many students, there may be no other person or space that is safe. Below is a list of resources that you may reference to support you as you support students, staff, families, etc.
When A Student Comes Out to You...Today or Any Day!
POLISH AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
We celebrate Polish American Heritage Month in October, but it wasn’t always that way. Congress first deemed August as Polish American Heritage Month in 1981. Later, it moved to October to commemorate the first Polish settlers — as well as the deaths of General Kazimierz Pułaski and Tadeusz Kościuszko (military leaders who fought in the American Revolution). The switch also enabled schools to participate in celebrations. Whether you’re Polish American or not, it’s important to mark the culture of a people who helped shape this country.
October is Bilingual Child Month! 🌟
The West Bloomfield District is a place where different cultures and languages come together to create an enriching learning environment. Bilingual Child Month provides us with an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the incredible linguistic talents of our students and the invaluable contributions of our dedicated educators.
Bilingualism is more than just mastering two languages; it's a gateway to understanding different cultures, fostering empathy, and preparing our students for a globalized world. The benefits of being bilingual extend beyond the classroom. Bilingual children often exhibit enhanced problem-solving skills, improved cognitive abilities, and increased opportunities in their future careers.
As a school district, we are committed to nurturing the bilingual skills of our students. Our language programs are designed to provide a solid foundation in, not only the English language, but multiple languages, empowering our students to communicate effectively in an interconnected world. We are grateful to our talented ELD and World Language educators who dedicate their time and expertise to make this possible.
Let's celebrate the diverse linguistic talents of our students and the benefits of bilingualism in our classrooms! Together, we nurture global citizens who bridge cultures and languages. Thank you, parents and educators, for your support! 🌎📚 #BilingualChildMonth #LanguageMatters
Indigenous Peoples' Day October 9
Monday, October 9, 2023, is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Many states and cities recognize this day and even choose to observe it over Columbus Day. This is a day to learn, to observe, to reflect, to create, and to connect through story and creation. It’s also a day to move beyond recognition and toward action and accountability. For decades, people have honored and recognized Columbus Day with the belief that Christopher Columbus was the first explorer to arrive in America. While historians and history books have often depicted this as truth, we know that prior to Columbus's arrival in what is now known as the "Americas," Tribal nations and Indigenous Communities had populated the western hemisphere for years. We know that Indigenous people experienced enslavement, theft, murder, and the attempted eradication of history and culture for thousands of years. Under the leadership of Governor Whitmer, Michigan first recognized Indigenous Peoples' Day in 2019. President Biden became the first president to issue a proclamation in 2021 and 2022 in recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day. This year, Indigenous Peoples' Day falls on Monday, October 9, 2023. Below, you will find resources that can be utilized for additional information and learning.
Additional Resources:
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Since 2006, in the United States, October has been designated Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying can occur in many ways; it may be verbal, physical, through social exclusion, or digitally via email, text, social media, etc.
The Centers for Disease Control reports that students who are bullied are more likely to experience low self-esteem and isolation, perform poorly in school, have few friends in school, have a negative view of school, experience physical symptoms, and experience mental health issues. Effective bullying prevention efforts involve students, parents, teachers, and community members to address larger issues of disrespect, bias, and violence that can contribute to bullying issues in schools. A community-wide effort shows students that adults care about what happens to them and that they are not alone. For more information, please see:
National Bullying Prevention Month Student Activity Kit
Prevention: Learn how to identify bullying and stand up to it safely
Bullying Facts: What you need to know
National Bullying Prevention Center's Classroom Education and Activities
NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION UNITY DAY 2023
On the third Wednesday of October, plan to wear and share the color orange—as a tangible representation of the supportive, universal message that our society wants to prevent bullying, and is united for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Let's show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying. Unity Day is October 18.
You're Invited to G.E.T Involved
Global Equity Team - first meeting October 18
G.E.T. exists to build a community that supports a restorative culture through relationships and educational equity for all. The three main focus points of the Global Equity Team are student outreach, culture and climate, and training and development.
Who will we be as a team?
We are students, caregivers, staff; and anyone who is part of the West Bloomfield community! Anyone who is passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and social-emotional health and well-being can join our G.E.T.
What kind of work might G.E.T. be involved in?
Continued learning around equity topics
Shared articles, learning, and discussion around various topics relevant to our school and district
Examining school materials with an equity lens
Development of language protocols on school documents
Reviewing and updating school policies and practices through an equity lens
Sharing classroom practices that lift up equity work
Discussion of concerns that arise around equity within a building
Elevating student's voice
If you are interested in being a member of the Global Equity Team click here. Our inaugural meeting will take place at West Bloomfield High School in the Media Center on October 18, at 6:30 p.m. We encourage your participation and engagement in this transformative initiative.
What other resources may be helpful in understanding our work?
RED RIBBON WEEK : "BE KIND TO YOUR MIND"
This is a month-long event to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Red Ribbon Week is also held the last week of October. This is a time to promote a drug-free life. During the week of Oct. 26th, we will have a different theme each day. Students are encouraged to dress up to show their support for a Drug-Free America or for bullying prevention. Click HERE for the Pledge and Additional Red Ribbon Week Information.
Celebrating RED RIBBON WEEK AT HOME:
- Use Red Ribbon Week as an opportunity to continue talking to your kids about drugs. Let them know that alcohol and drug use will not be tolerated.
- Work with the PTSA To Plan a School-Wide Red Ribbon Rally.
- Use our social media tips to post Red Ribbon Week messages on your Facebook and Twitter accounts.
- Secure and take inventory of your medicine cabinet to prevent prescription drug abuse.
- Participate in Drug Take Back Day and utilize secure bins in local police departments to dispose of medications no longer needed.
- Contact a local governmental official about declaring October 23rd-31st Red Ribbon Week in your community.
- Participate in school activities.
- Display red ribbons on the interior and exterior surfaces of your home or home office.
- Check out what other prevention organizations are offering to make your Red Ribbon Week the most impactful yet at www.redribbon.org/resources