Month: October 2019

Interested in building cultural awareness?   If so, we need you!  As part of AHS efforts to encourage intercultural learning, we currently have international students attending AHS.  We are seeking families to host students from Italy & Brazil.  Receive a monthly stipend. Contact Jodi Del Razo at Jodi.delrazo@educatius.org or text @ 857 253 9057 to learn more.

Watch This:   https://exploriuseducation-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/personal/hollie_greene_educatius_org/Documents/Attachments/Host an International Student with Educatius.mp4?csf=1&e=tdej2X

This post didn’t go out earlier, due to server problems. I want to wish a belated Chag Sameach to the AHS Jewish Community.

Sukkot/The Feast of Tabernacles – October 14th

Monday, October 14, the calendar shows the federal holiday Columbus Day and the Jewish holiday Sukkot.

Sukkot is a harvest holiday, meant to “mark the end of the harvest time” as well as commemorate the Jewish exodus from Egypt. Observant families may build a sukkah in their yard and have meals there for 7 days. A sukkah is a traditional tent or arbor-like structure hung with harvest plants. Some families may refrain from work on the first day. The AHS community wishes Chag Sameach to our Jewish community.

This year, Sukkot coincides with Columbus Day, a federal holiday, and therefore we will not have school on Monday.  Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. It has a complicated and controversial history. The holiday was introduced as a way of recognizing the European discovery of the Americas and celebrating Italian-American heritage. However, the actions of Columbus in the New World and the impact on indigenous Americans have led many states to repurpose the holiday. The states of Florida, Hawaii, Alaska, Vermont, South Dakota, New Mexico,and Maine do not recognize it and have each replaced it with celebrations of Indigenous People’s Day (in Hawaii, Discoverers’ Day, in South Dakota, Native American Day).

All the best,
Dr. J

NOTE:  Our school calendar includes holidays and observances that are significant in our community.  As a regular feature, I try to send updates on these observances and information on accommodations.  We are not always familiar with all the holidays, with which religions are represented in our classrooms, or with the nature of different traditions.  I encourage you to send me notes to educate us on the appropriate and positive ways to recognize and support the diversity of our community.  Also, please notify your teachers well in advance of any special considerations you feel you need, so that they can make appropriate plans.

SOURCES: For anyone wondering, I gather this information from Wikipedia, information sent to me, a few college interfaith chaplain sites, and greeting cards.  I don’t use quotations or citations much, because I am claiming neither expertise nor scholarship.  Kids, don’t do this for homework

I just learned that today, October 8, 2019,  is Dussehra, a holiday not previously shown on our holiday calendar. 

Dussehra – also known as Vijaya Dashami or Dashain – is a Hindu festival that is celebrated across South Asia, over parts of Pakistan and all over Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India and Nepal. It falls on the tenth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashvin. 

Dussehra/Vijaya Dashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of South Asia. In the northern, central and western states, the festival is called Dussehra (also spelled Dasara, Dashahara). In these regions, it marks the end of “Ramlila” and remembers God Rama’s victory over the Ravan. In the southern, eastern, northeastern, and some northern states of India, Vijaya Dashami marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durga‘s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura to restore and protect dharma. 

This festival is observed It is often celebrated by offering a special food offering, through large parades, bonfires, and fireworks. In India, government, post offices, banks and schools are closed. I am aware that some students did not attend school today due to the holiday. As with any observance, students should speak to teachers to get time to make up any missed work.

NOTE:  Our school calendar includes holidays and observances that are significant in our community.  As a regular feature, I try to send updates on these observances and information on accommodations.  We are not always familiar with all the holidays, with which religions are represented in our classrooms, or with the nature of different traditions.  I encourage you to send me notes to educate us on the appropriate and positive ways to recognize and support the diversity of our community. Also, please notify your teachers well in advance of any special considerations you feel you need, so that they can make appropriate plans.

SOURCES: For anyone wondering, I gather this information from Wikipedia, information sent to me, a few college interfaith chaplain sites, and greeting cards.  I don’t use quotations or citations much, because I am claiming neither expertise nor scholarship. Kids, don’t do this for homework 

“The Vaping Alarm has Rung”

When:   October 16

Time:     7:00-8:30pm

Place:    Ottoson Middle School Cafeteria

Presenters: Dr. Lester Hartman and Dr. Carol Allen

Vaping Forum 10-16 (1).pdf

Parents, guardians and students are encouraged to attend a free seminar on paying for college. The seminar will be held on Monday, October 7th at 7pm in the Lowe Auditorium at Arlington High School and is offered through MEFA, the Commonwealth’s resource on planning, saving and paying for college. Our highly regarded speaker, Kevin Fudge, will return to provide an overview of the college financing process, including types of financial aid, how to apply, and determining financing options for your family. We hope you will join us!