Hatboro-Horsham School District
Dear Hatters,
We hope you and your families enjoyed the holiday season — whether you celebrated Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or another tradition. Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
As we begin this new year, we reaffirm that “ALL ARE WELCOME HERE.” The district remains committed to expanding inclusive practices, increasing cultural awareness, and strengthening cultural competence so we can provide equitable support for every student, staff member, and family. We have much to be grateful for as a community.
This monthly Inclusive Newsletter will continue to be a resource for staff and families to learn about the diverse cultures and people who enrich our schools. In January we will highlight observances and opportunities to learn and engage, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day and International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Thank you for your continued commitment to fostering an inclusive school community.
NEW YEAR'S DAY - January 1, 2026
- New Year's Day is the first day of the year. New Year's is one of the most celebrated public holidays in the world, often observed with fireworks at the stroke of midnight. Another tradition includes setting new goals by making New Year's resolutions. Happy New Year!
- MAHAYANA NEW YEAR - January 3, 2026
- Celebrated this year on January 3rd by Buddhists around the world. The celebration is a joyous occasion, but also one of self-awareness and reflection and becoming an improved version in the new year. The New Year is observed by prayers, spiritual songs and a feast with family and friends.
- THREE KINGS DAY - January 6, 2026
- Three Kings Day is a holiday celebrated at the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas. This holiday is celebrated as the day the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts.
ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS DAY - January 7, 2026
- Orthodox Christian's celebrate Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar (December 25th works for the Julian calendar). This is a religious and cultural celebration.
ORTHODOX NEW YEAR - January 14, 2026
- An informal traditional holiday celebrated as the start of the new year according to the Gregorian calendar.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY - January 19, 2026
- A federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and is observed on the third Monday of January. His actual birthday is January 15, 1929. MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.
INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY - January 27, 2026
- The United Nations General Assembly has designated this day as the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and pays tribute to the memory of all the victims of the Holocaust.
To our Hatters families, we hope that you have a memorable holiday season with your family and loved ones.
Previous Month's Newsletters:
Be kind to yourself
- Invest in your interests
- Honor your dreams
- Take time for yourself
- Be patient with yourself
Kindness Challenge
For the month, try to do something kind for a different person each day, and then challenge that person to pay it forward.
Kindness with Gratitude
Write letters to three people in your life to let them know what they mean to you.
Fostering a Restorative Culture and Community:
- Acknowledge the different cultures within our school communities by affirming their presence.
- Provide access to visuals, resources, and recognizing their culture and traditions. All of our students should see themselves in our schools.
- Strive to provide high support to match our high expectations for learning and peer relationships.
- Be mindful of assigning homework, major projects, and tests during holidays
Ways to Promote Growth:
- Acknowledge the different cultures within our school communities by affirming their presence.
- Ask questions to learn more about each other's cultures.
- Challenge yourself to grow your own cultural competence.
- Understand that some religious holidays may require fasting, so continue to be understanding and supportive of each other.
We are stronger together!
