Calendar below lists observed dates with special learning activities that are based on cultural and national celebrations or traditions.
| Observed Dates 2019 | Celebration | Activities |
| Jan 21, Mon. | MLK Day | Art project and story |
| Feb 5, Tue. | Chinese New Year | Story, art projects, celebration food |
| Feb 14, Thur. | Valentine’s Day | Valentines cards, Friendship Poems, Cupcakes |
| Feb 18, Mon. | President’s Day | Art project and story |
| Mar 1, Fri. | Dr. Seuss Day | Read Wacky Wed (+wacky hair/dress day), read Green Eggs & Ham and make it for lunch, read Horton Hears a Who (+art project), read Red Fish, Blue Fish (math game with fish crackers) for snack. |
| Mar 15, Fri. | St. Patricks Day | Irish folklore stories, make fairy houses and leprechaun trap (group project) |
| Apr 19, Fri. | Easter | Egg decoration and hunt, garden: spring plantings |
| Apr 22, Mon. | Earth Day | Terrarium art project, stories, gardening |
| May 10, Fri. | Mother’s (or Sister’s, Grandmother’s, Aunt’s) Day | Performance, art, and gift |
| Jun 14, Fri. | Father’s (or Brother’s, Grandfather’s, Uncle’s) Day | Performance, art, and gift |
|
Jun 28, Fri. |
Pre-school and TK Graduation and class talent show | Time TBD: Extended Family welcome: Art and Talent Show, Graduation Ceremony and Reception |
| Aug 9, Fri. | Summer Party | All day play in backyard with water |
|
September (dates TBD) |
Community Visitors | Firetruck and firefighter visit (pending availability) |
| Oct 25, Fri. | Diwali | Story, art projects, celebration food |
| Oct 31, Thur. | Halloween | Costume party and pumpkin decorating |
| Nov 1, Fri. | Dia de los Muertos (11/2) | Movie (Coco), art projects, celebration food |
| Nov 27, Wed. | Thanksgiving (11/28) | Story, art projects, potluck |
| Dec 20, Fri. | Christmas (12/25) | Gift exchange, gingerbread house, holiday recital for family |
| Dec 23, Mon. | Hanukkah (12/23) | Story, art projects, celebration food |
| Dec 26, Wed. – Dec 31, Tue. | Last Week of Dec. | Free play all week and PJ Party with hot cocoa and movie |
Religious and political holidays are discussed at an academic and age-appropriate level. Children are encouraged to express their opinions and listen to others in a respectful manner. They learn about how and why people celebrate the holiday and participate in those celebrations through learning lessons of traditional and cultural fusion methods. If you wish to have your child’s national and/or cultural heritage represented by a holiday (if it isn’t already) or in a certain manner, we would be delighted to co-create that with you. We do not allow children to be excluded from these activities (aside from food considerations/observances) as cultural diversity and awareness are an important aspect of our program.
Avalon Childcare and Preschool 