The 2023 holiday season was eventful for many Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) students. Numerous members of the community celebrated a wide variety of holidays. From school parties to donation drives, MCPS staff and students worked hard to ensure the inclusivity and safety of all students and spread holiday joy in the process.
Montgomery County is a diverse school district. According to a report by WalletHub conducted in February 2023, Montgomery County houses four of the country’s top ten most culturally diverse cities. As a result, the staff and students of the county have attempted to make all people feel welcome and safe in the school environment, especially with the celebration of their various holidays.
On Nov. 16, 2023, the Desi Student Union Club (DSU) at Sherwood High School hosted a large Diwali Party and invited all students. This event was the second Diwali Party at Sherwood High School. Members of DSU hope to make it an annual tradition and believe it is vital to emphasize inclusion and represent a diverse group of students.
Sherwood High School junior Avni Visana is a DSU president. She believes that celebrating diverse school holidays is crucial to ensure all students feel adequately represented.
“Our Diwali party this year was a time where Desis and Non-Desis could come together and celebrate one of the biggest festivals in India. [There was] lots of food, music and candles… we were able to celebrate together as a Sherwood community. It was very nice to see everyone come together for this special event,” Visana said.
Additionally, Sherwood High School sophomore Michelle Samy has been a member of DSU for two years and attended the Diwali Party.
“We wanted to celebrate Diwali through music, decorations, and food… people contributed different Desi foods and desserts. [It] displayed Desi culture and inclusion through celebration,” Samy said.
Likewise, elementary schools throughout Montgomery County worked hard to give back to their local communities during this holiday season. In particular, Wood Acres Elementary School had a donation drive this fall. They collected clothing, food, and gift cards for local families and for a nonprofit organization that shrinks poverty in Washington, D.C. Moreover, a food bank partnered with Whetstone Elementary School to donate fresh fruits, vegetables, and other resources.
MCPS has also made efforts to educate students about various winter holidays. The MCPS social studies curriculum page entails a variety of interactive links, videos, and articles about holidays such as Chanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Winter Solstice.
Furthermore, MCPS has released guidelines for the 2023-2024 school year, which entails information about respecting religious diversity in schools. According to these guidelines, MCPS schools will excuse students’ absences for the practice of religious holidays. In addition, it affirms that religion can be connected to educational lessons in school to promote a better culture of understanding and mutual respect amongst students. Moreover, MCPS created policies and accommodations to aid students in becoming more comfortable in expressing their religious beliefs through their clothing and prayers.
Former Superintendent of Schools Monifa B. McKnight said, “We recognize and celebrate the vibrant diversity that defines our Montgomery County community. It is our steadfast commitment to ensuring that every individual feels genuinely welcomed and valued within our school system. By fostering an inclusive environment, we create the foundation for all individuals to actively participate, teach and learn at the highest levels.”
Sherwood High School teacher Ms. Michele Bloom echoed these sentiments. “In high school we don’t talk a whole lot about the holidays but if it comes up we want to make sure we celebrate every religion… we want to make everyone feel like they’re part of it [the discussion] and not left out,” she said.
Written by Nisha Khatri of Sherwood High School
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons