Upcoming Dates & Celebrations
November 2023
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OVERVIEW
This is the third 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 November "DNA" which will contain good news from around the district!
DISTRICT CALENDAR DATES
Operational dates listed within each month of the Annual District Calendar
Nov. 9 - FHS Report Cards
Nov. 10 - No School: Veterans Day (Observed)
Nov. 22 - No School: Staff Appreciation Day
Nov. 23 - 24 - No School: Thanksgiving Recess
SOCIAL CELEBRATIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
As we move into the month of November, 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.
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.
This is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Throughout the month we hope to gather and share more information about tribes and traditions, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges. To kick this off, take a moment to learn about No Loose Braids, a Nipmuc-led organization focused on continuing and reviving Eastern Woodlands traditions and cultural practices. Their mission is to braid Eastern Woodland Tribal communities together in continuity and reciprocity through traditional practice, cultural revitalization, experiential learning, knowledge sharing, and art.
What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose. Learn about the history of this month from The Library of Congress.
From President Biden's Proclamation: America has not always delivered on its promise of equal dignity and respect for Native Americans. For centuries, broken treaties, dispossession of ancestral lands, and policies of assimilation and termination sought to decimate Native populations and their ways of life. But despite this painful history, Indigenous peoples, their governments, and their communities have persevered and flourished. As teachers and scholars, scientists and doctors, writers and artists, business leaders and elected officials, heroes in uniform, and so much more, they have made immeasurable contributions to our country’s progress. You can read the proclamation in full here: A Proclamation on National Native American Heritage Month, 2022
November 1: Día de los Muertos
Every year, on November 1st (All Saints Day) and November 2nd (All Souls Day), something unique takes place in many areas of Mexico: Day of the Dead festivities. This all stems from the ancient indigenous peoples of Mexico (Purepecha, Nahua, Totonac, and Otomí) who believed that the souls of the dead return each year to visit with their living relatives - to eat, drink and be merry. Just like they did when they were living.
The loved ones are honored with displays of their favorite food and drinks, as well as ornamental and personal belongings. Flowers, particularly the zempasúchil (an Indian word for a special type of marigold) and candles, which are placed on the graves, are supposed to guide the spirits home to their loved ones.
Source: https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/mexico/day-of-the-dead
Día de Los Muertos Party - Fiesta - Festa
2pm - 6pm on Sunday, November 5, 2023
10 Roxana Street in Framingham
Sponsored by SMOC and the Framingham Cultural Council
Free for families and children of all ages
Food
Movie ('Coco')
Face-Painting
Tattoos
November 6 - 10: National School Psychology Week
During the week of November 6-10, 2023 FPS will acknowledge National School Psychology Week (NSPW) to highlight the important work our school psychologists and other educators do to help all students thrive.
This year's theme, "Let's Grow Together", is inspired by the importance of both personal and shared strengths in our growth as individuals and school communities in every season of life. The theme recognizes every aspect of growth, as fundamental to effective learning environments and to school psychologists' role in supporting student well-being and learning.
National Association of School Psychologists
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) sponsors this national event. NASP represents and supports the profession of school psychology by advancing effective practices to improve students' learning, behavior and mental health, and by maintaining essential standards for ethics and practice.
What School Psychologists Do?
School psychologists provide direct support and interventions to students; consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies; work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies; and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services.
November 8 - National STEM/STEAM Day
Apparently November 8th is STEM/STEAM Day - and while we are always surrounded by Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math - on this day, we call attention to the efforts that support this important learning! Without a doubt, these subjects push society forward and STEAM-focused programs help to find fun and engaging ways to teach them to students, which is all worth commemorating.
Fun At-Home STEAM Projects for Fall (ActiveKids.com)
STEAM Activities for Kids (Sphero)
November 11 - Veterans Day
Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. While respect and gratitude are truly due all year long, this one day offers a special opportunity to stand united in honor of our veterans.
This holiday started as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country's service and was originally called Armistice Day. It fell on Nov. 11 because that is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to "Veterans Day" in order to account for all veterans in all wars.
Here is a read aloud of Veterans Day by Rebecca Patterford from Bullfrog Books (good for preschool and young learners, closed captions available in other languages).
Additional Source: https://www.military.com/veterans-day
Save the Date!
City of Framingham Veterans Day Program
Location: Memorial Building, Nevins Hall, 150 Concord St.
Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023
Time: 11:00am to 12:30pm
November 12 - Diwali / Deepavali Begins
November 12th is the beginning of a 5-day festival called Diwali (also called Deepavali by South Indians). It is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists (Vajrayana branch, prominent in Tibet, Nepal and Japan). It is celebrated in India, Nepal, Japan, Tibet, Fiji, Guayana, Trinidad/Tobago, and some other regions in Asia, Africa, and the Islands.
The name “Diwali” comes from the Sanskrit word, Deepavali, or “deep,” meaning lamp, and “avali,” meaning row. Thus, the translation is a “row of lamps.” People light lamps or candles on the first day and keep them burning 24/7 for five days and nights. The holiday symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The festivities are marked by lighting oil lamps, hanging lanterns, making colorful patterns on the floor called rangoli, preparing sweets, and most importantly, coming together with family and friends to express gratitude. Diwali represents peace, truth, and love, which are shared goals across our community, our country, and the world, as these are beliefs that can unite us in our humanity. People wish each other "Happy Diwali" or "Diwali Mubaarak". It is celebrated across the USA in all major cities.
November 13 - World Kindness Day
Here are some ways you can spread kindness on World Kindness Day and everyday!
- Sit with someone new at lunch
- Smile in the hallway
- Give someone your full attention
- Thank a school (or fellow) employee
- Leave a note of encouragement on someone's desk or locker
- Clean up around the school (or home)
- Help someone study for a test
Sources: https://schoolofkindness.org/world-kindness-day and https://www.bgca.org/news-stories/2022/August/7-random-acts-of-kindness-kids-can-do-at-school
November 15 - America Recycles Day
America Recycles Day, also known as National Recycling Day, is celebrated annually on November 15th. If you weren't sure, this day is all about recycling... how to recycle, which recycled products to buy, and how to reduce waste.
For a brief history on this annual event, America Recycles Day began in Texas, where two employees of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality decided to celebrate Texas Recycles Day. This day was dedicated to spreading information about recycling in the state and encouraged more people to recycle their waste. They expanded their outreach efforts each year and eventually connected with the National Recycling Coalition to pursue a national event. Now there are over 3,000 events to honor these efforts in sustainability across all 50 states. Thanks to the work by the Recycling Coalition and the America Recycles Day events, recycling has increased from 7% in the 1960s to 32% today.
The largest community organization in America, 'Keep America Beautiful' focuses on reducing littering and increasing recycling to beautify communities in America. This organization is one of the primary organizers of events on America Recycles Day. We actually have a local community chapter working tirelessly to 'Keep Framingham Beautiful'. You can visit their website to see their efforts or join the cause: Keep Framingham Beautiful Website.
November 23 - Thanksgiving
The story most often told begins in 1621 when the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag shared an autumn harvest feast - that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. In 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.
There is more to the story that children will learn about or will hear from their peers. Please explore this Today.com article for another important perspective on the historical exchange between the settlers and Native Americans: How to tell kids the real story behind Thanksgiving.
This 2019 article from Cambridge-based non-profit, Cultural Survival, offers '9 Ways to Decolonize and Honor Native Peoples on Thanksgiving'. Even a few years old, many of the ideas are still relevant today.
One thing we can all do to honor the Native American community is to look into whose land you are on. Every tribe has its own traditions, experiences, and practices, so doing your research is vital to honoring the history of the land you inhabit. You can use the Native Lands App to learn more about the Indigenous people of the land you are on, as well as, their unique languages and traditions: https://native-land.ca/.
Additional Source:
COMMUNITY CORNER
Your Voice. Our Future.
Charter Review Committee - Community Input Requested
In 2017, Framingham's residents voted to transition from the Commonwealth's largest town to its newest city. Framingham officially became a City on January 1, 2018. The City’s Charter requires a review of the new City after 5 years. To support this effort and formal review, a Charter Review Committee was appointed earlier this year.
Now, the City of Framingham's Charter Review Committee is actively seeking public input as they embark on their mandated review of the Framingham Home Rule Charter. This is a great and historical opportunity for students and staff (who live in Framingham).
There are in-person events coming up where you can learn about this process and participate in opportunities to give feedback. In the meantime, please see some resources available below where you can learn more!
- Here is the link to the introductory Charter Review Video which will help to frame the intent of the project
- You can also explore Charter 101: Everything you wanted to know about Framingham’s Government!
- You can read the Original Charter (in the language of your choice)
- Here is a link to the Charter Suggestion Form
- If you want to learn more about the Charter, Review Committee, and/or methods of gathering community feedback, please contact Charter Review Committee Communications chair Antonio Gutierrez: charterreview@framinghamma.gov
- Read a press release from the City of Framingham here: Framingham Charter Review Committee Actively Solicits Community Involvement in Shaping the City's Future Via Suggestion Form
- The core meeting calendar for the Charter Review Committee can be found online in English, Spanish, Portuguese)