Region 15 elementary schools focused on cultural diversity in honor of the annual United Nations' World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, which is held every year on May 21. It has been in existence since the United Nations General Assembly first declared this day in 2002. This day celebrates not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the importance of intercultural dialogue and understanding for achieving peace and sustainable development across our world.

Some schools and classrooms invited families to visit classrooms on this day to share their cultural richness and experiences with our students, so that we may celebrate and engage in dialogue with one another across our community. Some honored the day in schoolwide assemblies. Some engaged with recent art installations (more to come on that!) to promote global thinking and understanding.

While we are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and inclusive each day, the World Day for Cultural Diversity offers us an opportunity to engage in schoolwide teachable moments. We can honor this day and facilitate a shared experience to more deeply know, understand, and affirm the many, diverse cultural backgrounds that make our school community stronger and more beautiful.

Since 2006, Caribbean-American Heritage Month has been designated as such by Presidential Proclamation. Use the resources below to celebrate and learn!

By Presidential Proclamation, June is also LGBTQIA+ Pride Month!

What do you already know about Juneteenth? What are some ways to deepen understanding?

Juneteenth is a significant day in American history! According to the National Museum of African American History & Culture, "The name is a play on the date of June 19th, 1865. On that day, the Union Army made its way into Galveston, TX under the leadership of General Gordon Granger, and he announced to the people of Texas that all enslaved African Americans were free." (This, even though the Emancipation Proclamation was issued almost two years earlier!).

Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, and a CT state holiday in 2022.

Here are a few starting places:

• Interactive website from the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC)
• How to Honor Juneteenth from the ADL
  
• Attend a celebration! See below for links to a few local celebrations - there are many more to look into!

Why is this information important?

• The towns of Middlebury and Southbury are made up of families representing many different religious and cultural identities.

• The information below is offered as a resource to increase awareness of & respect for religious observations and ethnic and cultural festivities. These observances may affect students, colleagues and neighbors in our community.
  
  

What are some ways this information can be used?

Calendar planning by for use in scheduling and planning details, for example:

• workplace festivities

• community events

• school activities and exams

Click to access the ADL 2023 Calendar of Observances

Because our intention in sharing this information is to increase awareness of and respect for religious observations and ethnic and cultural festivities that may affect students, colleagues and neighbors in our community, your input is important. Please email equity_inclusion@region15.org if there is something we missed!