April is full of wonderful celebrations and diverse recognitions. These are days that you, your colleagues and students may be honoring or celebrating. It can’t hurt to be aware of what we all share in and foster increased respect for each other .
April is Arab American Heritage Month. Officially recognized by President Biden in April 2021, Arab Heritage Month is an annual, month-long celebration of the diversity and richness of Arab American identity, culture, and experience. April is also Sexual Assault Awareness month.
April 2nd was World Autism Awareness Day. Every year this allows us all an opportunity to understand and learn more about how those on the autism spectrum have various neurodiverse thinking and behavior. We should also respect the ways that they are different and how hard they work each day. An autism diagnosis may be difficult for some families, but many others have said that they are blessed by the differences, although uniquely challenging for these individuals. Fortunately, this day seeks to raise awareness and improve their acceptance by celebrating, spreading kindness. and uplifting those with autism by reading, watching, or listening to content created by them.
This year Passover begins on April 5th and goes until April 13th. Passover is a major week-long Jewish festival that celebrates the freeing of the Israeli slaves from Egypt. Jews observe the weeklong festival with a number of important rituals, including a traditional Passover meal known as a seder, the removal of leavened products from their home, the substitution of matzo for bread and the retelling of the exodus tale.
To some in the Christian community Easter is the most important Christian holiday of the year. This year Easter Sunday is commemorated on April 9th. This day celebrates Jesus’ resurrection after being crucified. On Easter many will attend church services, spend time with family and some may even search for an Easter egg or two. Movies that tend to be on during Easter are films such as Ben Hur, The Greatest Story Every Told, Passion of the Christ, and Rise.
Day of Silence is GLSEN's annual day of action to spread awareness about the effects of the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students. It usually occurs on the second Friday in April. In the United States, students may take a day-long vow of silence to symbolically represent the silencing of LGBTQ students. This year the day is April 14th, which doesn’t fall on a school day so students may opt to choose a day before or after that date to commemorate.
Vaisakhi: Vaisakhi, also pronounced Baisakhi as well as Basoa is an ancient festival celebrating both the Solar New Year and springtime harvest.It is seen as a celebration of spring harvest primarily in Northern India. April 14th is when this festival is celebrated.
April 21 - April 22* – Eid al-Fitr: This is the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. To end the fast, a big meal is its primary event.
April 22: Earth Day
Have you ever stopped to think about all that is possible because of the planet that we live on? If not, April 22nd is the day to do it. Earth Day is a day observed by more than 192 nations. It honors the environmental movement that protects the Earth for future generations. There are many ways to commemorate Earth day. One example is bringing seed packets to work for all of your employees to take home and plant in their own gardens.
Lastly April also recognizes those who give their time by honoring National Volunteer Month. Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes. They pick a cause and make a difference in someone’s life. You can do small things but other times what you do creates a tidal wave of change. You can volunteer your time or resources. Consider something that you may want to volunteer to do in your local community this month.
