April 2025 Equity Newsletter
Check out the Cultural Celebration Toolkit for important cultural dates, celebrations, and resources that you can use in your school communities.
Events & Happenings
Arab American Heritage Month
This April the School District of Philadelphia celebrates Arab American Heritage Month. Honoring the rich contributions of the diverse population of Arab Americans, April has been recognized as Arab American Heritage Month since 2017. An estimated 3.7 million Americans have Arab roots, according to the Arab American Institute, with ancestries traced to 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Palestine, Morocco, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and others.
In a letter to the Arab American Foundation, President Biden wrote, “Diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and it is essential that we continue celebrating, promoting, and educating others about the myriad ways that the Arab people have advanced human civilization and contributed to the well-being of our nation.” In addition to recognizing Arab American Heritage, April also serves as Autism Awareness Month, Scottish-American Heritage Month, National Month of Hope, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, and Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
For more information about how you can celebrate and acknowledge Arab American Heritage Month please visit the SDP Cultural Calendar.
Days celebrated this month include:
April 2 – Autism Awareness Day and Autism Acceptance Day
Autism Awareness Day, observed on April 2nd, aims to increase understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It encourages communities to support individuals with autism, promote early diagnosis and intervention, and advocate for their rights and inclusion.
April 12 – April 20 – Passover
Passover, or Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is a time of reflection, storytelling, and family gatherings, as Jews retell the story of the Exodus and the ten plagues. Passover is also a time for dietary restrictions, with the avoidance of leavened bread, or chametz, symbolizing the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, as they did not have time to let their bread rise.
DEI Happenings
Equity in Practice: Arab Arab American Heritage Month Panel Discussion
Join us on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 12pm – 1pm for a panel discussion in celebration of Arab Arab American Heritage Month . The goal of the discussion is to highlight Arab-American culture, traditions and history.
Panelist will include School District of Philadelphia staff and Community Advocates
Youth Health and Wellness Summit
Join us for the Youth Health & Wellness Summit, a dynamic event dedicated to empowering students with the knowledge and resources to lead healthier lives. Hosted by the School District of Philadelphia, this summit will bring together students, educators, and community leaders to explore key topics such as mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and overall well-being
Participants will gain valuable insights into maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. The summit will also highlight local resources, support services, and wellness initiatives available to students and families throughout Philadelphia. This is a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and advocate for student health and wellness in our schools and communities.
Community Resource
Know Your Worth Girls Inc would like to share an exciting opportunity of our upcoming program Hope-Ish Works, designed specifically for high school girls in Philadelphia.
This program focuses on mental wellness, career readiness, and job placement, providing both healing and hands-on experience to prepare youth for success in and beyond the classroom.
Program Dates: April 16 – August 15, 2025
Youth who complete the program will receive a $503 stipend and be placed in a 9-week paid work experience earning $11/hour.
If interested, register today to join!
In Case You Missed It
Community Resources & Opportunities
On Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, from 12pm – 1pm the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosted a Women’s History Month Panel Discussion, where we explored how we can collectively uplift and support women’s voices and contributions within our district and the Philadelphia community as a whole.
Panelists will included School District of Philadelphia staff and Community Advocates
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