November 2024 Cultural Recognitions and Observances

November puts family, gratitude and education in the forefront through various celebrations throughout the month. Here is a list of observances marked in November:

• Native American Heritage Month: By Presidential proclamation, this is a month to remember the contributions of Native Americans and Alaska Natives, as well as Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities, and to ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation.
• Family Engagement Month in the Commonwealth of Virginia: Family Engagement Month is an opportunity to recognize the importance of families and schools and the work being done throughout the Commonwealth to ensure that we work together to build better futures for all children.
• National Gratitude Month: Throughout this month, we are encouraged to focus on the positive aspects of life and express gratitude. It is a time to recognize the benefits of gratitude, which can include improving our mental and physical health, strengthening relationships and easing stress.
• National School Psychology Week: Nov. 11-15, 2024: This week highlights the important work of school psychologists and other educators as they help all students thrive. 
• American Education Week: Nov. 18-22, 2024: Sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA), American Education Week festivities honor the team of individuals who work in our nation’s public schools, everyone from bus drivers and classroom teachers to cafeteria workers and administrative staff, in addition to countless others.
• Geography Awareness Week: Nov. 11-15, 2024: Created by the National Geographic Society, this week serves to inspire everyone to be part of a geographically-minded global community that understands geospatial issues and recognizes our impact on the world around us.
• National Family Week: Nov. 24-30, 2024: Every year, this observance is recognized during Thanksgiving week and focuses on how to show appreciation to families and their role in caring for individual members, thus contributing to a strong society.
• National STEM/STEAM Day: Nov. 8, 2024: This day serves to inspire youth to explore and pursue their interests in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEM/STEAM), as well as encourage students to pursue STEM/STEAM learning.
• Veterans Day: Nov. 11, 2024: This federal holiday highlights the universal recognition of the end of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918. The day became known as “Armistice Day” and honors those who have served in the military and military connected families.
• World Kindness Day: Nov. 13, 2024: World Kindness Day is an international holiday that was founded in 1998, to promote kindness throughout the world and is observed annually on November 13 as part of the World Kindness Movement.
• America Recycles Day: Nov. 15, 2024: This observance educates and encourages individuals on ways to be more mindful, especially of what we consume, where and how to properly recycle and to pledge to recycle more.
• Gettysburg Address Anniversary: Nov. 19, 2024: On this date in 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech at the dedication of a national cemetery at the Gettysburg battlefield. It expressed the resolve "that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."
• World Children’s Day: Nov. 20, 2024: First established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day, this observance promotes and celebrates children's rights worldwide.
• Education Support Professionals Day: Nov. 20, 2024: This day is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of education support professionals who are essential to schools running smoothly.
• National Parental Involvement Day: Nov. 21, 2024: This day provides the opportunity for schools and families to recognize the important role that parents/guardians and caregivers play in their children's education and success.
• Substitute Educators Day: Nov. 22, 2024: Substitute Educators Day is a day to recognize the important role that substitute teachers play in the school community. They ensure that learning continues when a regular teacher is absent, and their adaptability and commitment help maintain the quality of education.
• Thanksgiving Day: Nov. 28, 2024: Thanksgiving is a national holiday that began as a day of giving thanks for the good fortune of the harvest and of the preceding year. Various similarly named harvest festival holidays occur throughout the world during autumn.

Be sure to check out our ACPS webpage for additional information on our monthly cultural recognitions and observances highlighted within our schools.