Recognition & Cultural Calendar
September 2026
Suicide Prevention Month: Raises awareness of suicide prevention, mental health supports and help-seeking.
September 15-October 15 — National Hispanic Heritage Month: Honors the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
Friday, September 4 — Marcus Whitman Day: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
Monday, September 7 — Labor Day: Federal holiday.
September 13-19 — National Arts in Education Week: Recognizes the importance of arts education.
Tuesday, September 15 — IT Professionals Day: Recognizes information technology professionals. Commonly observed on the third Tuesday in September.
Thursday, September 17 — Constitution Day and Citizenship Day: Commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787.
Friday, September 25 — Native American Day: Included from the district appreciation calendar. Confirm the intended sponsoring organization before publication.
Saturday, September 26 — National Public Lands Day: Observed on the fourth Saturday of September.
Wednesday, September 30 — Orange Shirt Day: Honors survivors of residential and boarding schools and remembers children who did not return home.
October 2026
National Principals Month: Honors principals and their leadership in school communities.
National Bullying Prevention Month: Promotes safe, welcoming and inclusive schools.
Dyslexia Awareness Month: Raises awareness of dyslexia and supports for students with reading differences.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Recognizes the contributions of workers with disabilities and promotes inclusive workplaces.
LGBTQ+ History Month: Recognizes LGBTQ+ history and contributions.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Raises awareness of breast cancer, screening and support.
Friday, October 2 — National Custodial Worker Recognition Day: Recognizes custodial staff who help maintain safe, healthy and welcoming schools.
Monday, October 5 — World Teachers’ Day: Recognizes teachers worldwide.
October 5-11 — Mental Illness Awareness Week: Promotes mental health awareness, education and efforts to reduce stigma.
Tuesday, October 6 — National Instructional Coach Appreciation Day: Included from the district appreciation calendar.
Saturday, October 10 — World Mental Health Day: Promotes mental health awareness and education.
Sunday, October 11 — Washington State Children’s Day: Observed on the second Sunday in October.
Monday, October 12 — Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Honors Indigenous peoples, cultures and histories.
October 12-16 — National School Lunch Week: Official 2026 dates published by the School Nutrition Association.
Friday, October 16 — Boss’s Day: Common workplace recognition day.
October 19-23 — National School Bus Safety Week: Promotes school bus safety and recognizes the shared responsibility of drivers, students, families and motorists.
Wednesday, October 21 — Unity Day: A day to wear and share orange in support of kindness, acceptance and inclusion. Date follows the third Wednesday in October.
Tuesday, October 27 — World Occupational Therapy Day: Recognizes occupational therapy and its contributions to participation and independence.
November 2026
Native American Heritage Month: Celebrates Native cultures, traditions, histories and contributions.
World Kindness Month: Encourages kindness and positive action in communities.
November 1-2 — Día de los Muertos: A tradition with Indigenous and Catholic roots honoring loved ones who have died.
November 2-6 — National School Psychology Week: Commonly observed during the first full school week of November; verify when NASP publishes its 2026 campaign page.
Sunday, November 8 — Diwali: Festival of Lights celebrated in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism.
Wednesday, November 11 — Veterans Day: Federal holiday honoring military veterans.
November 16-20 — American Education Week: Official 2026 dates published by the National Education Association.
Wednesday, November 18 — Education Support Professionals Day: Observed Wednesday of American Education Week.
Friday, November 20 — Substitute Educators Day: Observed Friday of American Education Week.
Friday, November 27 — Native American Heritage Day: Observed on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
December 2026
Tuesday, December 1 — World AIDS Day: Raises awareness, supports people living with HIV and remembers those who have died.
Wednesday, December 2 — Special Education Day: Recognizes the anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the importance of inclusive education.
Thursday, December 3 — International Day of Persons with Disabilities: United Nations observance promoting disability rights, dignity and inclusion.
December 4-12 — Hanukkah: Jewish Festival of Lights; begins at sunset December 4 and ends at nightfall December 12.
December 7-13 — Computer Science Education Week: Promotes computer science education and access.
Monday, December 7 — Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
Thursday, December 10 — Human Rights Day: Marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
December 16-24 — Las Posadas: A religious and cultural tradition observed in Mexico, parts of Latin America and many U.S. communities.
Friday, December 18 — Blood Donor Day: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
Monday, December 21 — Winter Solstice/Yule: Marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere; Yule is observed in several Pagan traditions.
Friday, December 25 — Christmas: Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
December 26-January 1 — Kwanzaa: Seven-day cultural holiday celebrating African heritage, community and values.
January 2027
School Board Recognition Month: Recognizes elected school board members and their service to public education.
National Braille Literacy Month: Promotes Braille literacy and accessibility.
Human Trafficking Prevention Month: Raises awareness of human trafficking and prevention.
National Stalking Awareness Month: Raises awareness of stalking, prevention and survivor support.
Monday, January 11 — Human Trafficking Awareness Day: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
Wednesday, January 13 — Korean American Day: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
Monday, January 18 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Federal holiday honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tuesday, January 26 — Washington Army and Air National Guard Day: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
Wednesday, January 27 — International Holocaust Remembrance Day: United Nations observance remembering victims of the Holocaust.
February 2027
Black History Month: Honors Black history, culture, achievements and contributions.
Career and Technical Education Month: Highlights career-connected learning and technical education.
February 1-5 — National School Counseling Week: Official 2027 dates published by the American School Counselor Association.
Monday, February 1 — National Freedom Day: Commemorates the 1865 resolution proposing the 13th Amendment.
Saturday, February 6 — Lunar New Year: Marks the beginning of a new year in several East and Southeast Asian lunar and lunisolar calendars.
Sunday, February 7-March 9 — Ramadan: Islam’s sacred month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. Verify with local Muslim communities closer to the observance.
Sunday, February 14 — Frederick Douglass Day: Traditional observance honoring abolitionist Frederick Douglass; his exact birth date is unknown.
Monday, February 15 — National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day: Included from the district appreciation calendar; verify the sponsoring organization before publication.
Monday, February 15 — Susan B. Anthony Day: Honors the suffrage leader and reformer.
Friday, February 19 — Civil Liberties Day of Remembrance: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
Saturday, February 20 — Lantern Festival: Marks the 15th day of the first month in the traditional Chinese calendar.
February 22-26 — Public Schools Week: Led nationally by the Learning First Alliance, this annual celebration recognizes the vital role of public education in communities across the United States.
March 2027
Women’s History Month: Honors women’s history, achievements and contributions.
Music in Our Schools Month: Promotes the importance of music education.
March 1-5 — National School Breakfast Week: Official 2027 dates published by the School Nutrition Association.
Tuesday, March 2 — Read Across America Day: Promotes reading and literacy.
Friday, March 5 — Maintenance and Grounds Worker Appreciation Day: Included from the district appreciation calendar.
March 7-13 — School Social Work Week: Included from the district appreciation calendar; aligns with the first full Sunday-Saturday week in March.
March 8-12 — Education Support Professionals Week: Locally used recognition week. NEA’s national ESP Day is November 18, 2026.
Monday, March 8 — International Women’s Day: Recognizes women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements.
Tuesday, March 9 — Billy Frank Jr. Day: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
Wednesday, March 10 — Harriet Tubman Day: Honors the abolitionist and Underground Railroad leader.
Wednesday, March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day: Religious and cultural observance associated with St. Patrick.
Sunday, March 21 — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: United Nations observance opposing racial discrimination.
Sunday, March 21 — Palm Sunday: Christian observance marking Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
Monday, March 22 — Holi: Hindu festival of colors celebrating spring and the triumph of good over evil.
March 22-23 — Purim: Jewish holiday beginning at sunset March 22 and ending at nightfall March 23.
Friday, March 26 — Good Friday: Christian observance commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Sunday, March 28 — Easter: Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, March 30 — Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
Wednesday, March 31 — César Chávez Day: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
April 2027
Arab American Heritage Month: Honors Arab American history, culture and contributions.
Autism Acceptance Month: Promotes understanding, inclusion and acceptance of autistic people.
Deaf History Month: Recognizes Deaf history, culture and contributions.
Child Abuse Prevention Month: Promotes prevention, protective factors and support for children and families.
Month of the Military Child: Recognizes children in military families.
National Volunteer Month: Recognizes volunteers and community service.
Friday, April 2 — World Autism Awareness Day: United Nations observance promoting awareness and inclusion.
Sunday, April 4 — School Librarian Appreciation Day: Included from the district appreciation calendar. This falls on Easter Sunday in 2027; consider recognizing school librarians during National Library Week instead.
April 5-9 — National Assistant Principals Week: NASSP states this is observed during the first full week of April.
Friday, April 9 — Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
Saturday, April 10 — Dolores Huerta Day: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
April 11-17 — National Library Week: Official 2027 dates published by the American Library Association.
Friday, April 16 — Mother Joseph Day: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
Saturday, April 17 — Paraprofessional Appreciation Day: Included from the district appreciation calendar; verify the intended sponsoring organization.
April 18-24 — Public School Volunteer Week: Included from the district appreciation calendar.
Wednesday, April 21 — Administrative Professionals Day: Observed on the Wednesday of the last full week of April.
April 21-29 — Passover: Jewish festival beginning at sunset April 21 and ending at nightfall April 29.
Thursday, April 22 — Earth Day: Promotes environmental awareness and stewardship.
Tuesday, April 27 — School Bus Driver Appreciation Day: Included from the district appreciation calendar; confirm whether SCSD intends to use this locally selected date.
May 2027
Mental Health Awareness Month: Promotes awareness, support and efforts to reduce stigma.
Older Americans Month: Recognizes the contributions of older adults.
Jewish American Heritage Month: Honors Jewish American history, culture and contributions.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Recognizes histories, cultures and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
National Speech-Language-Hearing Month: Raises awareness of communication, hearing and related services.
Saturday, May 1 — School Principals Day: Recognizes principals and their leadership.
May 3-7 — Teacher Appreciation Week: Observed during the first full school week of May.
Tuesday, May 4 — National Teacher Day: Observed Tuesday of Teacher Appreciation Week.
Wednesday, May 5 — Cinco de Mayo: Commemorates Mexico’s victory at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
May 6-12 — National Nurses Week: Recognizes nurses and their contributions to health and care.
Friday, May 7 — School Lunch Hero Day: Official 2027 date published by the School Nutrition Association.
Wednesday, May 12 — National School Nurse Day: Observed on the Wednesday during National Nurses Week.
Friday, May 14 — School Communicators Day: Included from the district appreciation calendar; locally useful recognition date.
Saturday, May 15 — Water Safety Day: A day recognized by the Washington state Legislature.
Monday, May 17 — International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia: Raises awareness of discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ people.
Tuesday, May 18 — National Speech-Language Pathologist Day: Included from the district appreciation calendar.
Monday, May 31 — Memorial Day: Federal holiday honoring U.S. military members who died while serving.
June 2027
Pride Month: Recognizes LGBTQ+ history, culture and contributions.
Caribbean American Heritage Month: Recognizes Caribbean American history, culture and contributions.
Immigrant Heritage Month: Recognizes the contributions and experiences of immigrants.
School Safety Month: Included from the district appreciation calendar.
Wednesday, June 2 — Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 anniversary: Marks the law granting U.S. citizenship to Native Americans born in the United States; voting rights remained restricted in some states.
Saturday, June 12 — Loving Day: Marks the anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, which struck down laws prohibiting interracial marriage.
Monday, June 14 — Flag Day: Commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag.
Saturday, June 19 — Juneteenth: Federal holiday commemorating June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom.
Sunday, June 27 — Helen Keller Day: Honors author, disability rights advocate and humanitarian Helen Keller.
July 2027
Disability Pride Month: Celebrates disability identity, culture, history and contributions.