October Inclusive Celebrations
From the Office of Educational Equity
Inclusive Celebrations:
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. Below is a list for October:
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Filipino American History Month
Italian American Heritage Month
LGBTQ History Month
National Disability Employment Month
Polish American History Month
Red Ribbon and Anti-Bullying Month
October 4-5 — Yom Kippur (Judaism begins sundown October 4)
October 3- 7 National Diversity Week
October 9-16 Sukkot
October 10 — World Mental Health Day
October 10 - Indigenous Peoples Day/National Native American Day
October 11 — National Indigenous Peoples Day
October 18- Mawild-al-Nabi-Islam
October 20- International Pronouns Day
October 24 — Diwali (Hinduism)
October 31 Halloween
Filipino American History Month
Filipino American History Month or FAHM, is celebrated annually in October, commemorating the arrival of the first Filipinos in modern-day Morro Bay, California in the United States on October 18, 1587. Filipino-Americans were known as Luzones Indios back then, and they were primarily Filipino sailors who were enrolled in the Spanish navy as native laborers during the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade. From the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza, they arrived at the shores of present-day Morro Bay, California. Following years of campaigning and advocacy by both civil society and organizations, the Filipino American National Historical Society established Filipino American History Month in 1992. In 2009, Congress recognized the month of October officially as Filipino American History Month in the U.S.
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!
Polish American History Month
Polish American Heritage Month is an annual designation observed in October. Across the globe, there are about 9.5 million Polish Americans. They represent about 3% of the American population. The first wave of millions of Poles migrated to America between 1800 and 1860. The second and third generations of Poles were born in America in the late 1900s and grew up as Americans with a touch of Polish heritage. The Polish have always held onto a fierce passion for their culture, their independence, and their new country.
Ways to Celebrate:
Consider having a real celebration with friends or family this year, especially if you even have a touch of Pole in your heritage. Here are some things you can do, Polish or not, to celebrate this month and learn some more about this culture.
Learn some Polish dances (the polka is fun and very popular!)
Do some research about Polish literature and culture. Educating yourself on history always helps broaden your mind.
Research famous Polish Americans.
Cook! Try making some pierogi’s or kielbasa. You won’t be disappointed. (Also, October 8th is National Pierogi Day, so there’s an added incentive.)
Books to celebrate Filipino American History
Books to celebrate Italian American History
Books to celebrate Polish American History
LGBT 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 UNITY DAY: WEAR ORANGE
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 is October 19.
Red Ribbon and Anti-Bullying Month
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
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Friday, October 7 Help us kick off National Anti-Bullying Month and show your support for World Day of Bullying Prevention by wearing BLUE.
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Wednesday, October 19- National Unity Day- Wear Orange to support Bullying Prevention
RED RIBBON DISTRICT-WIDE SPIRIT WEEK:
MONDAY, October 24: Red-y to be drug and bully-free! (Wear as much red as possible to take a stand against drugs and bullying.)
TUESDAY, October 25: - Sock it to drugs and bullying! (Wear your most outrageous or colorful socks to show you are drug and bully-free.)
Wednesday, October 26 I'm too Bright for Drugs and Bullies wear Neon colors.
THURSDAY, October 27: Team up against drugs and bullying! (Wear your school gear to take a stand against drugs and bullying.)
FRIDAY, October 28: School Spirit Day: Wear your favorite school spirit wear or school colors.
National Bullying Prevention Month Student Activity Kit
Ways to celebrate Red Ribbon Week at home:
HERE ARE SOME IDEAS TO MAKE THIS YEAR'S RED RIBBON WEEK CELEBRATION THE BEST YET!
- 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.
- Enter the Red Ribbon Photo Contest for a chance to win an iPad for you and your family - and $1,000 for your child's school.
- Encourage your kids and other students to take a stab at creating the 2023 National Red Ribbon Theme. Gain national recognition and $500 of Red Ribbon theme merchandise for your child's school. This year's theme was created by Emily King, Chelsea Abbott, and Celise Wicker, 7th graders at Wayland-Cohocton Middle School in Wayland, New York.
- 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.
- 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 .
- Get to know the parents of your children's friends. Work together to set boundaries and monitor behavior.
- Gather neighbors to discuss neighborhood watch concerning drug use among children in the neighborhood. Discuss plan to alert each other if any suspicious activity is observed. (Submitted by Christine)
- Check out what other prevention organizations are offering to make your Red Ribbon Week the most impactful yet at www.redribbon.org/resources
Oakland Schools Resource:
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer.This year we RISE to ensure every woman has access to the screenings she needs and the support she deserves. When we RISE, we Rally in Screening Everyone.