As we look to the next month and plan for holidays, time with loved ones, and celebrations, we wish you safe, healthy, and joyous "adventures"...whatever that may look like for your family!
It's important for children to understand and express their own family’s traditions and beliefs. This time of year also gives us an opportunity to encourage the exploration of other cultural traditions and beliefs. This can be a fun learning experience for everyone in the family! Learning about holidays and traditions in addition to the ones you celebrate as a family can help expand your child’s understanding of other cultures. This also helps to lead to fewer stereotypes. A great way to introduce your child to their diverse world is through books, food, and visiting the many cultural centers and museums in our area. There are many resources also on the world wide web!
Here are a few of the celebrations happening around the world during this time of year:
- Las Posadas: December 16, 2025 - December 24, 2025
- Hanukkah: December 14, 2025-December 22, 2025
- Winter Solstice: December 21, 2025
- Christmas: December 25, 2025
- Boxing Day: December 26, 2025
- Kwanza: December 26, 2025-January 1, 2026
- New Year’s Day: January 1, 2026
There are endless videos on Youtube that briefly describe holidays like the ones listed above. Here is one link that defines many of them for children: Winter Celebrations Around the World
Although this time of year provides many opportunities to introduce another culture, we certainly don’t need to limit the exploration to these few months! Weekends, school vacation breaks, and our extended summer break are great times to travel and explore the other resources mentioned above. Opportunities to learn and explore other cultures build both cultural awareness and sensitivity. It also helps our children value diversity and accept and show kindness to others and build empathy.
As we head into the last several weeks of 2025, please keep in mind:
- EVERY school day is important!
- While we value celebrating with students, instruction & learning is paramount during this time; unit assessments will occur before winter break & mid-year benchmark assessments will take place when we return from break.
Reminder: Winter Break begins on Saturday, December 20th...
school is in session during the week of December 15th-19th!
Last Day before break!!
Friday, December 19th
SPECIAL DISMISSAL:
TK/K @ 12:20 pm
1st-3rd @ 12:40 pm
4th-6th @ 12:45 pm
