Monthly Recognitions

To ensure middle level schools schedule local events that focus on the needs of early adolescents. Visit https://www.amle.org/middle-level-education-month for more information.

To communicate the importance of music in the learning experience. Sponsored by the National Association for Music Education. Visit https://nafme.org/programs/miosm/.

#MIOSM

To honor social workers and raise the public's awareness of the important and often unnoticed work social workers do. Sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers. Visit https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Social-Work-Month

To promote the importance of healthful eating and physical activity. Sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The 2025 theme is “Food Connects Us!”

Visit https://www.eatright.org/about-national-nutrition-month

#NationalNutritionMonth

Emphasizes the importance of art activities for children and encourages schools and youth groups to support their art programs. For more information, visit www.arteducators.org.

#YAM

Proclaimed by Congress and many governors and legislatures, this is a month to celebrate the rich and inspiring heritage of women's contributions to the United States. In 2025, the Women's History Month theme is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” chosen by the National Women's History Alliance. Visit www.nwhp.org and https://womenshistorymonth.gov/.

#WomensHistoryMonth

March 2-8, 2025 - A week to honor school social workers and highlight the important work that they do to meet students' social, emotional, physical and environmental needs. Sponsored by the School Social Work Association. Visit https://www.sswaa.org/school-social-work-week. #SSWWeek2025

March 2, 2025 - The National Education Association (NEA) event celebrates the importance of reading. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america/celebrate-all-year/event-ideas #ReadAcrossAmerica

March 3-7, 2025 - Celebrates the importance of a nutritious school breakfast in fueling students for success, sponsored by the School Nutrition Association. “Clue in to School Breakfast” is the detective-inspired theme for 2025. Visit https://schoolnutrition.org/about-school-meals/national-school-breakfast-week/.

#NSBW25

Established in the early 1900s as a day to honor working women. The 2025 theme is "Accelerate Action,"which calls for action to address gender inequality and systemic barriers that women face. Visit https://www.internationalwomensday.com/ #BreakTheBias

It's a day to celebrate the mathematical constant π, which represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. http://www.ams.org/publicoutreach/pi-day

March 17-21 ACPS honors all essential workers from healthcare staff to include school nurses, as well as law enforcement, firefighters, bus drivers and monitors, snow plow drivers, nutrition staff, building engineers, custodians, security personnel, teachers, instructional assistants, counselors and support staff.

Spring Equinox, Northern Hemisphere

Commemorated annually by the United Nations, this day marks the anniversary of a deadly 1960 protest against apartheid in South Africa and reminds us of the importance of eliminating all forms of racial discrimination.

This month recognizes our resilient military-connected children. Purple Up! Day is celebrated on April 15, and Virginia has designated April 19 as the official state-day of recognition.

https://vawarmemorial.org/april-is-the-month-of-the-military-child/

#MOMC #PurpleUp

Recognizes the contributions of volunteers and to inspire others to give back. It's also a time to celebrate the power of volunteering to build communities and enrich lives. 

Emphasizes the importance of workforce development opportunities that prepare students for success in today’s economy. The Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) designated April as VSBA Workforce Readiness Month.

Visit www.vsba.org/resources/initiatives/workforce-readiness-month/ for more information.

Celebrates school librarians and their programs that transform learning. Sponsored by the American Association of School Librarians. www.ala.org/aasl/slm. #AASLslm

Founded by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world, involving tens of millions of readers, writers, librarians, teachers and poets. Visit www.poets.org/national-poetry-month.

#NationalPoetryMonth

Since 2006, the United States has recognized April as National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month. Bilingual and multilingual learners are one of the fast growing student populations. In 2025, this month will recognize the diversity of languages, cultures, and achievements of multilingual learners. 

#MultilingualAdvocacy

This month is set apart as an opportunity to learn how to help the one in 54 children on the autism spectrum.

This month celebrates the rich and diverse culture and contributions of Arab Americans. #NationalArabAmericanHeritageMonth and/or #NAAHM

Carter G. Woodson was a prominent American historian and scholar known as the "father of Black history.” Woodson’s dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of Black people ultimately led to the establishment of Black History Month. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, calling upon all Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” The 2025 Black History Month theme is “African Americans and Labor”. In February, ACPS takes pause to honor the legacies of African Americans from civil rights pioneers to leaders in culture, industry, science and more. 

For more information: https://www.blackhistorymonth.gov/

The Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) celebrates the more than 800 school board members in the Commonwealth during VSBA School Board Appreciation Month each February. The 2025 theme – “Champions of Opportunity, Advocates for Excellence” – highlights the efforts made by school board members to create pathways for student achievement and innovation. 

School boards voluntarily tackle the enormous job of governing multi-million-dollar public school divisions, while preserving the core of our democratic values. Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) joins in celebrating our school board members and the tremendous job they carry out as they strive to preserve our democracy.

This month is a time to raise awareness about heart disease and how to prevent it. This observance was established in December of 1963 and first celebrated in February of 1964. It is marked by a presidential proclamation that honors those who work to prevent, treat, and research heart disease.

This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health for children, their caregivers, teachers and many others. For free resources, visit the American Dental Association: https://www.ada.org/resources/community-initiatives/national-childrens-dental-health-month

#NCDHM 

On this day, we commemorate the signing of the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution in 1865 which abolished slavery.

ACPS along with the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) pays tribute to the iconic yellow school bus which plays an important role in getting our children to and from school, helping to ensure all children get an education. “Our goal, now more than ever, is to harness the nation's affection for the iconic yellow school bus and highlight its vital role in our education system,” said NAPT CEO and Executive Director Molly McGee Hewitt. NAPT President Teena Mitchell added, “The yellow school bus is more than just a mode of transportation; it is a symbol of community, safety, and opportunity. As we look to the future, it is vital to continue investing in and supporting the infrastructure and personnel that keep the wheels of education turning.” By celebrating and honoring the yellow school bus and its drivers, we reinforce our commitment to nurturing safe and inclusive educational journeys for every student.
 

Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides students with a variety of options to apply academic knowledge and learn the technical skills necessary for the workplace of the 21st century. The instructional program along with opportunities for industry credentialing, helps students prepare to be college and career-ready. 

For more information, visit the Association for Career and Technical Education's webpage: https://www.acteonline.org/why-cte/cte-awareness/cte-month/. #CTEMonth

This month is a time to raise awareness about heart disease and how to prevent it. This observance was established in December of 1963 and first celebrated in February of 1964. It is marked by a presidential proclamation that honors those who work to prevent, treat, and research heart disease.

This week is sponsored by the American School Counselor Association. It focuses public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. For more information: https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Events-Professional-Development/Events/National-School-Counseling-Week. #NSCW25 Feb 3-7.

National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) is an annual event that takes place on the second Monday of February. The day's purpose is to encourage African American parents to be involved in their children's education and to create a more supportive learning environment for all students. 

The VSBA Board of Directors has designated the third week in February as VSBA School Board Clerk Appreciation Week, with a goal of building awareness of the role board clerks play in assisting school board members, superintendents, and our local schools. Show your local school board clerks you appreciate their work. Feb. 17-21.

This is a week for administrators, teachers, education specialists, parents and school board members to host events and contact lawmakers, businesses, and other community members to support our nation's public schools. Learn more: https://www.learningfirst.org/ #PublicSchoolProud PSW25 Feb. 24-28.

To ensure middle level schools schedule local events that focus on the needs of early adolescents. Visit https://www.amle.org/middle-level-education-month for more information.

Emphasizes the importance of art activities for children and encourages schools and youth groups to support their art programs. For more information, visit www.arteducators.org.

#YAM

To honor social workers and raise the public's awareness of the important and often unnoticed work social workers do. Sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers. Visit https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Social-Work-Month

Proclaimed by Congress and many governors and legislatures, this is a month to celebrate the rich and inspiring heritage of women's contributions to the United States. In 2025, the Women's History Month theme is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” chosen by the National Women's History Alliance. Visit www.nwhp.org and https://womenshistorymonth.gov/.

#WomensHistoryMonth

To promote the importance of healthful eating and physical activity. Sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The 2025 theme is “Food Connects Us!”

Visit https://www.eatright.org/about-national-nutrition-month

#NationalNutritionMonth

To communicate the importance of music in the learning experience. Sponsored by the National Association for Music Education. Visit https://nafme.org/programs/miosm/.

#MIOSM

On this date in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give her seat to a White passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama bus. Her consequent arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott on December 5, which brought Martin Luther King, Jr., to national prominence. Parks became known as the "mother of the civil rights movement."

This day marks the signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act into law. It is an opportunity to celebrate this important milestone as well as recommit ourselves to serving special education students.

First observed in 2001, Inclusive Schools Week celebrates schools for educating all children while looking ahead at further progress to support an increasingly diverse population. The 2024 theme, “Every Voice Matters,” echoes the fundamental belief that every individual has a unique perspective and contributes to the rich tapestry of our school communities. Dec. 2-6, 2024.

Anniversary of the adoption of the first ten amendments to the U.S. constitution in 1791. Often marked by a presidential proclamation.

Observed on this date each year as the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

Astronomical winter in the northern hemisphere begins on Dec. 21, 2024 and ends on March 20, 2025.

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 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.

Throughout this month, we are encouraged to focus on the positive aspects of life and express gratitude. It's a time to recognize the benefits of gratitude, which can include improving our mental and physical health, make for stronger relationships and ease stress.

This day serves to inspire youth to explore and pursue their interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math and encourages students to pursue STEM/STEAM learning.

Nov. 11-15, 2024: This week highlights the important work of school psychologists and other educators as they help all students thrive.  

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.

World Kindness Day is an international holiday that was formed in 1998, to promote kindness throughout the world and is observed annually on November 13 as part of the World Kindness Movement.

This observance is held on and around Nov. 15. America Recycles Day educates and encourages individuals on how to be more mindful of what we consume, where and how to properly recycle, and to pledge to recycle more.

 Nov. 18-22, 2024: Sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA), festivities honor the team of individuals who work in our nation’s public schools, everyone from the bus driver and classroom teacher to the cafeteria worker and administrative staff, plus countless others.

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on Nov. 20 each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.

This day is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of education support professionals (ESPs), who are essential to the smooth running of schools.

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 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.

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.

On this date in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give her seat to a White passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama bus. Her consequent arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott on December 5, which brought Martin Luther King, Jr., to national prominence. Parks became known as the "mother of the civil rights movement."

Sept 15–Oct 15

America’s Safe Schools Week, observed from October 16-20, 2024, is an initiative by the National School Safety Center to promote safety and security in schools across the nation. This week focuses on the importance of creating safe learning environments and encourages communities to work together to prevent violence and ensure the well-being of students and staff.

Learn more

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 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.

Throughout this month, we are encouraged to focus on the positive aspects of life and express gratitude. It's a time to recognize the benefits of gratitude, which can include improving our mental and physical health, make for stronger relationships and ease stress.

Learn more

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Sept. 8–14, 2024

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Sept. 8–14, 2024

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Sept. 15–Oct. 15, 2024

Learn more | Express article Sept. 6, 2024

Annually on the third Tuesday in September.

Sept. 17–23, 2024

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