The human race is one family with diverse but equal members having different culturessocial identitiesand a deeper

understanding of ones own culture and social identity will inevitably lead to a better understanding of diverse cultures ~ anonymous

Some Dates of Significance for April 2014 * - indicates observances that begin at sundown on the day prior to the date listed.
Suggested use: Culturally Responsive curriculum Newsletter inserts, web page information piece Daily announcements Classroom community circle discussions Classroom and/or school posters Student research, assemblies, equity group information ** 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.

April 14th April 22nd - Pesach - Passover (Judaism) *begins on the evening of April 14th Pesach commemorates the departure of the Israelites from Egypt and from slavery. In the Jewish diaspora, the first two and last two days are holidays when no work should be done. As with all Jewish holidays, the day begins at sundown of the previous day. The first two days are marked by a special meal (seder) with symbolic foods and in which the story of the exodus is recounted. During this week, the observant eat no leavened bread and remove all leaven (chametz: yeast or other fermenting agents) from their dwellings. Instead of leavened products, matzo is eaten. For more information: http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/first-day-of-passover April 14th Vaisakhi (Sikhism) This date is the most important date in the Sikh calendar and commemorates the date in 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Guru removed the clerical system and founded the Khalsa Panth (The Fellowship of the Pure). He instituted the distinctive Sikh clothing and headdress and instituted the 5 Ks that Khalsa Sikhs must wear--Kesh, unshorn hair; Kangha, the wooden comb; Karra, the iron (or steel) bracelet; Kirpan, the sword; and Kachera, the special undergarment. He also gave the name Singh (Lion) to all male Sikhs and Kaur (Princess or Lioness) to all female Sikhs. For more information: http://www.sikhismguide.org/vaisakhi.aspx http://www.sikhismguide.org/fiveks.aspx
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The human race is one family with diverse but equal members having different culturessocial identitiesand a deeper understanding of ones own culture and social identity will inevitably lead to a better understanding of diverse cultures ~ anonymous April 18th Good Friday (Christian) Good Friday is the day that commemorates the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ by Roman crucifixion for all humankind, and is one of the most observed days of the Christian calendar. In Canada, it is a statutory holiday, and most churches will hold a service to commemorate Good Friday. For some Christians, this service is a time of mourning, while for others it is a time of celebration because of the redemption accomplished by Jesus death, and in understanding that his death was not final. April 20th Easter Sunday (Christian) This day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ which occurred three days after his crucifixion. Christians believe that through the resurrection, Jesus conquered death on behalf of all humankind and made a way for all those who believe in him to experience eternal life after death with him. This day also begins the fifty-day period culminating at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given. April 20th May 2nd Ridvan (Bah') *begins on the evening of April 20th Ridvan commemorates the 12 days that Bahaullah spent in the garden of Ridvan when he first declared himself to be the one announced by the Bab. On the first (April 21), ninth (April 29) and twelfth (May 2) days of Ridvan, work should not be done. These days are usually observed with community gatherings for prayer and celebration. For more information: http://www.bahai.org/ http://www.ca.bahai.org/ April 27th 28th - Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day *begins on the evening of April 27th This is a day when the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust (Shoah) are remembered. Decreed into Israeli law in 1959, it is marked in the Diaspora either by synagogue services or by vigils. It's a time to remember the deaths and honour their memory by doing everything in our power to ensure it never happens again. Racism, discrimination, fear and hate were the roots of the Holocaust. We remember so we'll learn and act. This is a day to reflect on and educate about the enduring lessons of the Holocaust and to reaffirm a commitment to uphold human rights. In Israel, Yom Ha'Shoah was made a national public holiday in 1959. It was formally recognized in 1998 in the Ontario Holocaust Memorial Day Act. It's marked in communities around the world with services which include speakers, singing, readings, usually the lighting of six candles, each representing one million Jewish souls who perished, and reciting the Mourners' Kaddish (prayer of remembrance). For more information: http://www.holocaustcentre.com/,
http://www.holocaustcentre.com/Programs/Yom-Hashoah http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/yom-hashoah
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The human race is one family with diverse but equal members having different culturessocial identitiesand a deeper understanding of ones own culture and social identity will inevitably lead to a better understanding of diverse cultures ~ anonymous

April 28th International Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job The Annual Day of Mourning is an international event observed in more than 100 countries that raises awareness of the tragic consequences of workplace accidents. This day of remembrance was founded in 1984 by the Canadian Labour Congress. The aim of the day is to publicly renew commitment and political solidarity to avoid these deaths that are usually preventable through appropriate attention to safe working conditions. For more information: http://www.canadianlabour.ca/issues/day-mourning