Upcoming Dates & Celebrations
March 2024
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OVERVIEW
This is the seventh 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.
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 March "DNA" which will contain good news from around the district! The google form where Staff have traditionally submitted entries is now trilingual and accessible to the broader community: Share Your Good News!
DISTRICT CALENDAR DATES
Operational dates listed within each month of the Annual District Calendar
March 5: No School (FTA Professional Development Day)
March 6: Collaboration Day at FHS (Early Dismissal at 1pm)
March 14: Elementary and Middle School Early Release (Professional Development)
March 14: Family, Friends, and Neighbor Day - No Homework
March 21 - 22: The District will send home the March Distribution of Recruitment Material
March 28: Elementary Early Release (Parent Conferences)
March 28: Middle and High School Early Release (Professional Development)
March 29: No School (Good Friday)
SOCIAL CELEBRATIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
As we move into the month of March, 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.
Disclaimer: Some of the dates that were originally published on page 3 of the District Calendar (Cultural Calendar) have shifted. We tried to update them accurately below!
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, this month is a time to highlight the achievements of notable women in various fields, including science, literature, politics, sports, and the arts. Educational institutions and various organizations frequently utilize Women's History Month as a chance to inform students and the public about the impactful roles women have historically played. The month also serves as a celebration of the achievements of women who have shattered barriers and paved the way for others.
Learn more about this month and explore event highlights: https://womenshistorymonth.gov/
March for the Arts
March is the perfect time to celebrate the arts in Framingham Public Schools! Why March? Because March is Arts in Our Schools Month, Music in Our Schools Month, and Theater in Our Schools Month! To celebrate this joyous time, the Fine and Performing Arts Department is offering many events to experience art, music, and theater! Take a look at the March 2024 Calendar below! We look forward to seeing you at our events! Thank you for supporting the arts in our community!
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!
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 March!
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. Awareness for this month is organized by Theatre in Our Schools which is a joint venture between the Educational Theatre Association and the American Alliance for Theatre & Education.
March 1: Employee Appreciation Day
On #EmployeeAppreciationDay we want to thank ALL of our incredible, hard-working staff. The district employs over 2,500 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!
March 2: Read Across America Day
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 your experiences and expand student horizons. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america
March 3 - 9: National School Social Worker Week
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 2024 is “Pearls of Wisdom” which highlights the pearls of wisdom that each School Social Worker brings to their campuses and community. School Social Workers experience challenges, heightened anxieties, and anticipated difficulties. However, School Social Workers face these challenges with strength and resilience. We want to support and celebrate School Social Workers across the District during the 2024 National School Social Work week and beyond!.
#PearlsOfWisdom #ImpactInTheMaking #SSWWeek2024
March 4 - 8: School Breakfast Week
Source: https://schoolnutrition.org/event/2024-national-school-breakfast-week/
SPECIAL EVENT! MARCH 9: Indoor Mini Golf Fundraiser for the Class of 2024
The FHS Class of 2024 would like to invite families to attend a special Mini Golf Event on Saturday, March 9th in the main gym of Framingham High School from 12:00pm-4:00pm! Funds raised at this event will lower the cost of Prom for everyone and helps fund full ticket cost for students who can't afford the ticket.
It's an 18-hole, indoor mini-golf course. $10 to play, $5 to spectate. Cash and Venmo will be accepted at the door.
March 10: Ramadan Begins
Ramadan is a spiritual month for Muslims that is marked by special observations such as fasting and nightly prayer. This year Ramadan begins at sunset on Sunday, March 10th or Monday, March 11th (with the possible variation of a few days) and ends at sunset on Tuesday, April 9th. 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 a previous write-up on Ramadan (from the FPS Website)
March 14: Pi Day
Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14) around the world. This day is dedicated to the mathematical constant π (pi), which represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. Pi is an irrational number, meaning its decimal representation goes on forever without repeating. The first few digits of pi are 3.14, hence the choice of March 14th for Pi Day.
People often celebrate Pi Day with activities related to mathematics, geometry, and, of course, enjoying pies in a playful nod to the homophony between "pi" and "pie." It's a day for math enthusiasts, students, professors, and the general public to appreciate the significance of pi in various fields and have some fun with math concepts.
Enjoy a few Pi jokes below :)
Source: https://www.piday.org/
What's a math teacher's favorite kind of snake?
A Pi-thon
Why do teenagers travel in groups of three?
Because they can't even.
What do you get when a bunch of sheep stand around in a circle?
Shepherd's Pi
March 17: St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick’s Day observes 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.
A fun fact about St. Patrick's Day is that the tradition of wearing green on this day is believed to have originated from the association of green with the lush landscape of Ireland, often referred to as the "Emerald Isle." St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is said to have used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity in Christianity, further solidifying the color green as a symbol of the holiday. Over time, this has evolved into a widespread tradition where people, both in Ireland and around the world, wear green clothing and accessories to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
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.
March 18 - 22: Neurodiversity Celebration Week
We all think, move, process information, and communicate in different ways - depending on how our brains are wired. Neurodiversity is an umbrella term used to describe alternative thinking styles such as Dyslexia, DCD (Dyspraxia), Dyscalculia, Autism and ADHD. Regardless of labels, neurodiversity and this annual Celebration Week are about recognizing those who think differently and celebrating the many ways our community (and the broader world) can benefit from different thinkers!
Approximately 15-20% of population has a neurological difference. Instead of labeling people with deficits or disorders, we can use the term neurodiversity to take a balanced view of an individual’s unique strengths and challenges. Many ‘challenges’ neurodivergent people face are more to do with the environment and systems they are placed in, often designed by a majority population.
You can visit the website https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/introduction to learn more about specific neurodifferences. Also, stay tuned for dedicated information, resources, book suggestions, and facts to support and honor our neurodivergent community members!
March 19: First Day of Spring
This year the March equinox happens on March 19, at 5:24 P.M. EDT. This falls on a Tuesday and is the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere. In Western Christianity, the March equinox plays a role in determining the date of Easter. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the March equinox. 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 21: World Down Syndrome Day
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) takes place annually on March 21st. Why? Because it's the 21st day of the 3rd month which signifies the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
Chromosomes are shaped “like socks” and people with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome. So, on this day, people all over the world wear colorful, attractive, wild, or mismatched socks on WDSD to get noticed. This also inspires conversation, so when people ask you about your socks you can tell them, “I’m wearing them to raise awareness of Down syndrome”.
Join us on March 21st for a special ROCK YOUR SOCKS day across Framingham Public Schools!
Our 'ROCK YOUR SOCKS' event is a celebration of everything that makes all of us different, and yet the same. Staff, Students, and even Caregivers are invited wear your brightest and boldest (or mismatched) socks to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day! #LotsOfSocks #WorldDownSyndromeDay
Some facts or conversation starters for kids include:
- Down syndrome is not a disease. You can’t catch it.
- People with Down syndrome have had Down syndrome since before they were born. They will always have Down syndrome.
- People with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome in each of the cells in their body. These chromosomes are very tiny, but carry important information that affects how we grow.
- No one knows why some people have this extra chromosome.
- Most children with Down syndrome will be able to do the things that other children do. They might just take longer to learn how.
- Children with Down syndrome like to play and to have friends.
- Children with Down syndrome like to help out, to learn and to be good at what they do.
- Children with Down syndrome like to have a turn, even if their turn looks a little different.
- Since the 1970s, public schools are required by law to provide a free and appropriate education to children with Down syndrome.
- While behavior, mental ability, and physical development varies from person to person, many individuals with Down syndrome grow up to hold jobs, live independently, and enjoy various recreational activities.
Sources: https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-down-syndrome and https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/file/information-childcare-providers-toolkit/04-infoforkids.pdf
March 25: 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!)
March 29: Good Friday
“Good” is not typically a word used to describe Good Friday. In fact, some believe the “good” in Good Friday was actually from a translation to mean “holy”. On this day, many Christians reflect upon Christ’s sacrifice for their sins and are reminded of their faith during this time of observation and healing. There is no school in Framingham on this day and folx who observe may fast, participate in prayer, and mourn.
March 31: Easter
Examples of non-religious Easter traditions include visits from the Easter Bunny (with candy and chocolate), Easter eggs, and related games such as egg rolling and egg decorating. It’s believed that eggs represented fertility and birth in certain pagan traditions that pre-date Christianity. Many people also participate in Easter egg “hunts,” in which decorated eggs are hidden.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/history-of-easter
March 31: International Day of Transgender Visibility
On March 31, the world recognizes Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) to celebrate the lives, accomplishments, and victories of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people. It is also a day to raise awareness of the work that is still needed to combat misinformation, discrimination, and violence impacting folx around the world and even right here in our own community.
See below for some info, links, and resources to support this annual day of recognition:
The Trevor Project: Provides crisis intervention and suicide-prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth with 24/7 crisis counseling via phone, text, and chat. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Are You Ok? is a compelling portrait project that documents the experiences and stories of trans and nonbinary youth living in the United States during this time of horrific anti-trans legislation. On the site you can view the portraits, hear the stories of the youth, and find their social to follow along, including opportunities to see the project in person.
- As part of a series of editorials about transgender experiences, the New York Times published a collection of personal stories that reflect the strength, diversity and challenges of the community. Take a look at the collection from 2015!
- Learn about TDOV from glaad.org, hrc.org, or pflag.org.
- Tips for Allies of Transgender People (glaad.org)
Report Defamation (if you see defamation of transgender people in the media, glaad.org encourages you to report it)
Lastly, Framingham has a support group for grownups looking to support the LGBTQ+ folx in their lives, as well as social groups for youth run by OUT MetroWest. See below for local resources!
Greater Boston PFLAG Framingham: For grownups interested in better supporting the LGBTQ+ folx in their lives, consider joining our Framingham support group that meets monthly. Email Framingham@gbpflag.org for meeting dates, location, and information.
OUT MetroWest: A Framingham-based nonprofit that offers free programs for LGBTQ+ and allied youth ages pre-K through age 29. OUT MetroWest's programs connect youth with supportive peers and LGBTQ+ adult role models. All programs are held outside of school hours and provide social connection, emotional support, and resources that meet the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth. Youth may join at any time during the year; no registration required. https://outmetrowest.org/youth-programs/