Download Dates of Significance for Sept 2015

“…it is important to show boys that their choices in literacy are valid, (to value their home worlds and use
authentic experiences to engage them…) it’s important to reinforce that it is “OK” and “cool” to improve their
literacy skills, and that high levels of literacy help them to succeed in their lives…” – anonymous
Some Dates of Significance for September 2015
** Please bear in mind that this is not meant to be an exhaustive list and there may be
diverse celebrations and religious dates that are not addressed.
* indicates observances that begin at sundown on the day prior to the date listed.
Suggested use:
 Culturally responsive curriculum
 Classroom community circle discussions
 Newsletter inserts, web page information piece
 Daily announcements
 Classroom and/or school posters
 Student research, assemblies, equity group information
September 8: International Literacy Day (UN)
Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social, human
development, and educational opportunities. However, literacy remains a moving target and
an unrealized goal for many children, youth, and adults. Valuing students’ home worlds
through culturally responsive differentiated instruction is the key to literacy development, and
the creation of safer, more inclusive schools. For more information:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-andcelebrations/celebrations/international-days/literacy-day/
UNGEI - United Girls’ Education Initiative: http://www.ungei.org/index.php,
September 13-15: Rosh Hashanah (Judaism)
Rosh Hashanah means head of the year. It is also called the feast of Trumpets. This day marks
the beginning of the New Year 5776, the beginning of the month Tishri, and the anniversary of
the creation of the world. Reform Jews celebrate it for one day while other Jews celebrate for
two days. Rosh Hashanah is not celebrated with the frivolity and merriment associated with
New Year celebrations of December 31/Jan 1. Instead, it is considered to be a time when God is
examining his people. It therefore begins a time of introspection and repentance that
culminates on Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah is marked by the blowing of the Shofar or Ram’s
Horn. Rosh Hashanah meals usually include apples and honey to signify a sweet new year.
Greeting: Shanah Tova For more information:
http://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/671869/jewish/When-isRosh-Hashanah-in-2013-2014-2015-2016-and-2017.htm
“…it is important to show boys that their choices in literacy are valid, (to value their home worlds and use
authentic experiences to engage them…) it’s important to reinforce that it is “OK” and “cool” to improve their
literacy skills, and that high levels of literacy help them to succeed in their lives…” – anonymous
September 21: International Day of Peace (UN)
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is calling for the worldwide observance of a 24hour cease-fire and day of nonviolence to mark International Day of Peace on 21 September
2005. For more information: http://www.unac.org/en/news_events/un_days/international_days.asp
“The International Day of Peace “is meant to be a day of global cease-fire, when all countries
and all people stop all hostilities for the entire day. And it is a day on which people around the
world observe a minute of silence at 12 noon local time.” – Kofi Annan – United Nations
Secretary-General
September 21-26: Hajj (Islam)
The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, and a mandatory religious duty for Muslims
that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically
and financially capable of undertaking the journey, and can support their family during their
absence. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, and Sawm. The
gathering during Hajj is considered the largest annual gathering of people in the world. The
state of being physically and financially capable of performing the Hajj is called istita'ah, and a
Muslim who fulfills this condition is called a mustati. The Hajj is a demonstration of the
solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God (Allah). The word Hajj means "to
intend a journey", which connotes both the outward act of a journey and the inward act of
intentions. For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajj
September 22-23: Yom Kippur (Judaism)
Yom Kippur, also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish
people. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jewish people traditionally observe
this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often
spending most of the day in synagogue services. For more information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur
“…it is important to show boys that their choices in literacy are valid, (to value their home worlds and use
authentic experiences to engage them…) it’s important to reinforce that it is “OK” and “cool” to improve their
literacy skills, and that high levels of literacy help them to succeed in their lives…” – anonymous
September 22-23: Eid al Adha (Islam)
Eid al-Adha (Meaning the Festival of the sacrifice"), also called the Feast of the Sacrifice is the
second of two religious holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide each year. It honors the
willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his promised son, Ishmael (Ismail)a, as an act of
submission to God's command, before God then intervened, through his angel Jibra'il and
informs him that his sacrifice has already been accepted. The meat from the sacrificed animal is
preferred to be divided into three parts. The family retains one third of the share; another third
is given to relatives, friends and neighbors; and the remaining third is given to the poor and
needy. For more Information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_al-Adha
September 25: Franco-Ontarian Day (Ontario)
Effective April 26, 2010, the Franco-Ontarian Day Act adopted by the Legislative Assembly of
Ontario proclaims September 25 of each year as Franco-Ontarian Day. This Day will, every year,
officially recognize the contribution of Ontario's Francophone community to the cultural,
historical, social, economic and political life of the province. September 25 will commemorate
the anniversary of the first raising of the Franco-Ontarian Flag in 1975.
Further information: http://www.ofa.gov.on.ca/en/news-100426.html
September 27 – Sukkot (Judaism)*
Sukkot is also called the Feast of Tabernacles. This is a time for unreserved joy. Many Jewish
people will build a temporary shelter (tabernacle) called a sukkah (plural: sukkot), in which they
will eat meals and/or sleep. This commemorates the 40 years Israel wandered in the
wilderness after leaving Egypt, and reminds them that God is the source of their protection. For
more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukkot
“…it is important to show boys that their choices in literacy are valid, (to value their home worlds and use
authentic experiences to engage them…) it’s important to reinforce that it is “OK” and “cool” to improve their
literacy skills, and that high levels of literacy help them to succeed in their lives…” – anonymous
September 30 – Orange Shirt Day (First Nations Canada)
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Ghislain Picard is encouraging people across the
country to mark Orange Shirt Day on Wednesday September 30, 2015, a day to recognize the
experience of former students of Indian Residential Schools and affirm a collective commitment
to ensure that every child matters. Orange Shirt Day is an outcome of the St. Joseph Mission
Residential School Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place in Williams
Lake, BC in May 2013. It stems from a story told by former residential school student, Phyllis
Webstad, who had her new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, taken from her as a sixyear old girl. She spoke powerfully of how it seemed to her that nobody cared and, in this
personal way, it speaks to the many harms experienced by children in the residential schools.
The AFN asks all Canadians to join First Nations in wearing an orange shirt on September 30 th in
the spirit of healing and reconciliation.
For more information: http://nationtalk.ca/story/assembly-of-first-nations-marks-orange-shirtday-and-maintains-that-all-children-matter