Equity - Taylor

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Taylor Elementary

To instill a belief in each student that they can succeed, Taylor Elementary communicates high expectations for all students. We build this community by engaging in reflection of our beliefs, behaviors, and practices. These practices are built from Virginia’s Roadmap to Equity in Standard 6 – Culturally Responsive Teaching and Equitable Practices. From this Roadmap, Taylor Elementary is focusing on indicator 4: believe that all students can succeed and communicate high expectations for all students and indicator 5: engage in reflection of beliefs, behaviors, and practices.

Arlington Public Schools supports this plan by empowering an Equity Team at each school. For information about Taylor’s equity plan, contact Sima Hadley.

As part of our efforts to recognize and celebrate the diversity of our community, the following is a list of holidays and observances throughout the year.

October

October has many heritage months, including:

Italian American Heritage Month: The president of the United States annually signs a proclamation to recognize Italian Americans’ contributions to American culture. The month is also known as Italian American History Month, Italian Culture Month, and other names.
LGBTQ+ History Month: Celebrates the history of the LGBTQ+ community, including their rights, contributions, and revolutionary icons. Important dates in October include National Coming Out Day on October 11 and Spirit Day on October 20.
German-American Heritage Month: Celebrated with festivals, parades, history lessons, and other events.
Filipino American History Month: Honors the history, culture, and accomplishments of Filipino Americans.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Celebrates the contributions of people with disabilities to the American workforce and promotes inclusive employment practices.

Other observances in October include:

Sharad Navratri: A nine-day Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
National Indigenous Peoples Day: An alternative to Columbus Day that recognizes indigenous populations affected by colonization.
International Pronouns Day: Held on the third Wednesday of October to promote the use of personal pronouns.

November

November is National Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize the culture, traditions, and achievements of Native Americans and their descendants. The month also includes Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.

December

Although December has not been designated a special heritage month, it does contain celebratory days that are recognized internationally. On December 10 in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

January

January is the month of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday that honors the life and achievements of a civil rights leader. January is also a time to recognize the contributions of Middle Eastern communities. Heritage months are celebrated to recognize the contributions, resilience, and experiences of communities and groups. They can also help people understand their own cultures and identities.

February

February is the month for Black History Month: Black History Month is a time to celebrate Black culture and history, and to recognize the contributions of Black Americans to society. It’s also a call to ensure that Black perspectives are included in the national narrative and that Black achievements are celebrated year-round. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, founded by Dr. Woodson, sets the theme for Black History Month each year.

March

There are multiple heritage months in March, including Women’s History Month, Irish American Heritage Month, and Persian Heritage Month:

Women’s History Month: Celebrates the contributions of women to American history and society. It began as a week-long celebration in 1982 and became a month-long celebration in 1987. March 8 is International Women’s Day, a global celebration of women’s economic, political, and social achievements.

Irish American Heritage Month: Celebrates the Irish American heritage and culture, and the contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants.
Persian Heritage Month: Celebrated in March, it coincides with Nowruz, a significant celebration in Persian culture.

April

April is National Arab American Heritage Month, a time to recognize the contributions of Arab Americans to the United States:

Celebrate: Recognize the contributions of Arab Americans to the country, and to combat anti-Arab bigotry

Learn: Learn about the Arab American story, including their diverse backgrounds, faiths, traditions, and commitment to community

Celebrate in community: Cultural institutions, school districts, and other organizations celebrate Arab American heritage through special events and proclamations April was chosen for National Arab American Heritage Month for several reasons, including:

Avoid conflict: April avoids conflicting with other minority heritage months, such as Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March, and Hispanic Heritage Month in September and October

Symbolic: April marks the beginning of spring, which symbolizes hope, growth, color, and new beginnings The first National Arab American Heritage Month Celebration was held in Washington, DC in April 2017.

May

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is celebrated in May: The month honors the history, culture, traditions, and achievements of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. May was chosen for a few reasons, including:

Japanese immigration: The first Japanese person immigrated to the United States on May 7, 1843.
Transcontinental railroad: The transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10, 1869, and most of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

The first APAHM celebration took place in May 1979, and it was officially designated as a federal holiday in 1992. May also includes other heritage celebrations, such as:

National Nurses Week: Celebrated from May 6–12, this week honors the profession of nursing and the contributions nurses make to society.
International Nurses Day: Celebrated globally on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale.
Older Americans Month: Celebrated each May to recognize the contributions of older Americans to their communities, families, and society.

June

June is home to multiple heritage months, including LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Caribbean American Heritage Month, and Immigrant Heritage Month:

LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Celebrated on the last Sunday of June, this month commemorates the Stonewall Riots of 1969. LGBTQ+ groups celebrate with parades, picnics, parties, and memorials.

Caribbean American Heritage Month: Established in 2006, this month honors the culture and heritage of Caribbean Americans and their contributions to the United States.
Immigrant Heritage Month: This month recognizes the contributions of immigrants to the United States.

June also includes other observances, such as:

Shavuot: A Jewish holiday that takes place June 11–13 and marks the wheat harvest in Israel

Litha: Also known as midsummer, this Wiccan and Pagan celebration of the summer solstice takes place on June 21

Juneteenth: Celebrates the emancipation of enslaved Black people in Texas and Louisiana in 1865

Flag Day: A U.S. holiday that celebrates the history and symbolism of the American flag