WB INCLUSIVE
Community and Families April 2024
Celebrations and Recognitions
Month-Long Observances
- Arab-American Heritage Month
- Autism Acceptance/Awareness Month
- Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month
- Chaldean-American Month
- National Child Abuse Prevention Month
- National Poetry Month
- National Volunteer Month
Important April DE&I calendar dates:
- April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day
- April 6 – Laylat al-Qadr (Muslim)
- April 7 – World Health Day
- April 8 - Solar Eclipse
- April 9 – Eid-al-Fitr/End of Ramadan (Muslim)
- April 12 – National Day of Silence (LGBTQ+)
- April 18 - Poem in Your Pocket Day
- April 21 – Start of Ridvan (Baha’i)
- April 22 – Passover begins (Jewish)
- April 22 – Earth Day
- April 24 – Administrative Professionals Day
- April 30 – Passover ends
Autism Acceptance Month, previously named Autism Awareness Month, in April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that occurs in one in every 54 children as of 2020 in the United States. Autism, a complex developmental condition affecting the patient’s ability to interact, communicate, and progress, has not one but many subtypes. First held in the year 1972 by the Autism Society, Autism Acceptance Month emphasizes the need for public awareness to promote acceptance, celebrate the differences, and be more inclusive toward autistic individuals around us.
Arab American Heritage Month
Celebrating the rich and diverse culture and contributions of the diverse population of Arab Americans, National Arab American Heritage Month has been observed during the month of April since 2017.An estimated 3.7 million Americans have Arab roots, according to the Arab American Institute, with ancestries traced to 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Palestine, Morocco, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and others.
Commemorating the Month: The initiative for official national designation of the month was launched in 2017 by the nonprofit media and education organization Arab American Foundation and its sister organization Arab America. It began with support from a few states, but gained momentum each year. In 2019, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan.) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan), introduced a resolution to Congress to proclaim April as National Arab American Heritage Month. “It is my hope as a strong and proud Arab American in Congress that our nation can uplift our contributions in the United States by supporting Arab American Heritage Month,” Tlaib, a first-generation American, said about the resolution. The bill remains pending. National Arab American Heritage Month was recognized in April 2021 by President Joe Biden, with the U.S. Department of State, some members of Congress and 37 governors issuing proclamations supporting the month, according to Arab America.
Chaldean American Month
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared on Thursday that April is Chaldean-American month.
The declaration comes as the Chaldean community mourns two beloved fathers, Behnam Rasho and Saad Halabo. Both were shot and killed at their place of business in separate incidents; Rasho was killed in January and Halabo was murdered in March.
The proclamation recognizes Chaldeans, Assyrians, and Syriacs as a Semitic people indigenous to Mesopotamia. “Collectively, there are nearly half a million Chaldeans/Assyrians/Syriacs in the United States, including about 160,000 in Michigan, the largest concentration in the country,” the proclamation said.
April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse
If you prepare kids well for what is about to happen, they will get more from it. "In advance of eclipse day, help your kids learn the basic science of what will be happening and what they will see during the partial and total phases," said Ross. A good place to start is What Will the Eclipse Look Like from My City? for useful simulations by eclipse expert Dan McGlaun of Eclipse2024.org. Also handy is Timeanddate, which will give you an exact schedule of what will happen, when, and what to look out for for any location.
April 18, 2024 Poem in Your Pocket Day
Celebrate at home with family or at work with coworkers and friends
Poem in Your Pocket Day was initiated in April 2002 by the Office of the Mayor in New York City, in partnership with the city’s Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education. In 2008, the Academy of American Poets took the initiative to all fifty United States, encouraging individuals around the country to participate. In 2016, the League of Canadian Poets extended Poem in Your Pocket Day to Canada.
Poem in Your Pocket Day takes place every year on a day in National Poetry Month. Poem in Your Pocket Day 2024 will take place on April 18.
April 22, 2024 Earth Day Theme "Planet vs. Plastics."
Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by Earthday.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
National Volunteer Month: Give Back and Make a Difference!
April every year, National Volunteer Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of volunteers. It is an opportunity to join the impact of volunteerism and encourage more people to get involved in their communities. This is a great month to reaffirm your commitment to giving back.