Cultural Resources
September
September 23 - AUTUMNAL EQUINOX
National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 - October 15
A month long observance that celebrates the histories, contributions, heritage and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Calendar
September 4 - LABOR DAY
Celebrated in recognition of U.S. workers
September 16-17 - ROSH HASHANAH
Beginning of the Jewish New Year and first of the High Holy Days, which marks the beginning of a ten-day period of penitence and spiritual renewal.
September 19 - GANESH CHATURTHI
Hindu Celebration of the birthday of Ganesha
September 25 - YOM KIPPUR
The “Day of Atonement” marks the end of the Ten Days of Penitence that begin with Rosh Hashanah
September 27 - MAWLID AL-NABI
The Sunni observance of the birthday of islam founder Prophet Muhammad
Join our equity learning community! Explore some of the books, articles, videos, and websites we have found valuable in building diversity, equity, and integration in Westwood.
HONOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH EIGHT UNIQUE DOCUMENTARIES
Teaching Resources
Boston Public Library Latinx Book List (books for kids, teens, and adults)
8 Ideas for Teaching National Hispanic Heritage Month
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Educators throughout the district have participated in courses and book studies to guide our work and thinking:
Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy by Gholdy Muhammad
Unconscious Bias In Schools: A Developmental Approach to Exploring Race and Racism by Tracey A. Benson and Sarah E. Fiarman
Education Across Borders: Immigration, Race, and Identity in the Classroom by Jalene Tamerat, Marie Lily Cerat, and Patrick Sylvain
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
We work with IDEAS: Initiatives for Developing Equity and Achievement for Students as a M.A.S.S.: Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and professional development partner for DEI.
Westwood works with MPDE: Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education to meet and recruit educators of color as prospective candidates for faculty and staff positions.
ADL Article 5 Things to Know About the Jewish High Holidays
Video: Jewish High Holidays Explained
Video Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for Kids
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The City of Boston celebrates Latinx Heritage Month with Fiesta en la Plaza, a diverse program of cultural activities! (5 Saturdays in September and October)
Here We Read has this list of Latinx & Afro-Latino Picture Books.
The Diverse BookFinder is a comprehensive collection of children's picture books featuring Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC) and includes trade books published since 2002.https://diversebookfinder.org/
The resources in this section are meant to be a guide, an introduction to something new, or deepen your understanding if you are interested in supporting educational equity."Education broadens our horizons and enables us to confront realities we'd never before anticipated."
Betsy DeVosRosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur
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Incorporating Asian American and Pacific Islander Experiences in the Early Grades
Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Your Classroom
Children's Books Celebrating Haitian Heritage
Jewish American Heritage Month: Children's Books
Women's History Month | PBS Kids - Video that explains the history of Women’s History Month
St. Patrick's Day | PBS Kids - Video that explains the history of St. Patrick's DayRamadan | PBS Learning Media - GBH
Moon’s Ramadan - This picture book captures the meaning of one of the world's most joyful and important celebrations.
Stories Celebrating Black HistoryThis Netflix series features celebrity readers sharing children’s books by Black authors to spark child-centered conversations about empathy, equity, and love.
Magic of Storytelling | Nat Geo Kids: Martin Luther King, Jr.This Disney video features ABC News cast members sharing the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a courageous civil rights leader who inspired millions of people.
The scholastic video explains the Lunar New Year to children and provides visual examples of traditions that celebrate the important holiday.
Students learn best when they are in school communities where their individual perspectives are valued."The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character: that is the goal of education."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
220 Nahatan Street
Westwood, MA 02090
Phone:781-326-7500
Fax:781-326-8154
200 Nahatan Street
Westwood, MA 02090
Phone:781-326-7500 ext.3301
Fax:781-461-8561
850 High Street
Westwood, MA 02090
Phone:781-326-7500 ext.2336
Fax:781-326-2709
250 Downey Street
Westwood, MA 02090
Phone:781-326-7500 ext.8386
Fax:781-329-7642
80 Martha Jones Road
Westwood, MA 02090
Phone:781-326-7500 ext.6321
Fax:781-255-9277
72 Deerfield Avenue
Westwood, MA 02090
Phone:781-326-7500 ext.8504
Fax:781-320-0189
790 Gay Street
Westwood, MA 02090
Phone:781-326-7500 ext.8424
Fax:781-326-2702
549 Pond Street
Westwood, MA 02090
Phone:781-326-7500 ext.7100
Fax:781-769-8046
200 Nahatan Street
Westwood, MA 02090
Phone:781-326-7500 ext.5113
Fax:781-461-9782