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The printed calendar fails to provide an awareness of things
which all educators should be cognizant of. Some examples:
1) Years ago my school scheduled a Thanksgiving celebration,
which included a full Thanksgiving meal, for the end of the week
before. A Muslim student informed me that that day was the
beginning of Ramadan, when members of her faith fast during
daylight hours. The school agreed to celebrate a couple days ear-
lier to accommodate these students.
2) The celebration of Hmong new year is when some students
may miss school. I knew a school staff member who felt it was
wrong for Hmong students to take off from school since they
were now Americans. She clearly didn't understand the impor-
tance of cultural heritage.
I am asking that CTA be inclusive of more communities when it
makes an awareness calendar. The fact that I stayed out of school
for Jewish new year (Rosh Hashana) helped me understand the
importance that Hmong students gave to the celebration of their
new year.
I feel CTA has a very positive role to play and can always
improve, which is what I am trying to do with this message.
NORMAN ZACK
CTA/NEA-Retired
Everything you want and need to know is in the CTA Calendar
(cta.org/events). Our foldout awareness calendar, below.
Are You Aware?
Our August/September issue contained a foldout awareness cal-
endar noting significant events and holidays throughout the year.
A few of you sent in your thoughts, which we share below. We
also want to let you know that CTA has a new, customizable online
calendar (cta.org/events) with expanded content that includes
awareness dates as well as CTA trainings, conferences, scholarship
and grant application deadlines, and more. The CTA Calendar is
searchable, and you can download and subscribe to selected events
or the full calendar. Tell us what you think at editor@cta.org.
I am disappointed that you missed National
German American Day, Oct. 6.
LISA ALEXANDER
Sacramento City Teachers Association
My wife and I were both shocked to see that
NOWHERE in the magazine or in your calendar
of events is there a mention of remembering
9/11 — this is a big oversight. We should NEVER
FORGET what happened on this date!
RICH AND LINDA ALSBURY
CTA/NEA-Retired
Calls for more inclusion
3 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 / J A N U A R Y 2 0 21
U P F R O N T
