- Curriculum Overview
- After School
- Events and Celebrations
- Service Learning and Partnerships
- Special Assemblies
- Mini Courses
Events & Celebrations
At SRV we are committed to teaching a curriculum that is rich in cultural diversity. One element of that curriculum is that classroom teachers teach children about holidays, as well as about religions, religious practices, and beliefs from a variety of cultures. Learning about different religions and holidays, without celebrating them, promotes mutual appreciation and understanding without placing value on any one idea or practice over another.
A second major aspect of our policy is that we try to avoid the over-stimulation, commercialism and competitiveness that often accompany the celebrations of many modern holidays. We have found that parties, parades, exchanging commercial cards and gifts, and sugary treats in school tend to divert the children's focus from more meaningful learning experiences. They can also trivialize a holiday's true meaning and spirit.
We work hard to make learning about holidays and religions active, engaging and meaningful without the commercialism. We plan low-key group activities that have educational value and make the curriculum come alive. We also welcome children and families to initiate activities and discussions, and to share with their groups what is important to them.
So what can we agree is appropriate in school? The fact is that it often depends on the context. For example, on Valentine's Day, we ask families not to send in cards and treats for the children to exchange, but a class might learn about the history of the day and make greetings for each other or families and friends in school. We definitely avoid the traditional Halloween parade with prizes for costumes brought in from home and handing out candy. But within the context of talking about the history of the holiday in the classrooms, children might sing spooky songs and dress up or make masks together. This fall the Main Circle, which is studying Mexico, will be doing just those kinds of things as they learn about Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) as part of that curriculum. A family might come in and explain the Jewish New Year to a class and help the children prepare a traditional snack, as happened recently in the Primary Circle. Or a child may share the songs and costumes of her family's Santa Lucia traditions, as an Oldest Group student did a few years back. This way the children participate in meaningful learning experiences, while no one is being made to feel left out or uncomfortable, or overly stimulated by parties and treats.
In addition to educating children about various holidays and cultural celebrations, we also have our own special community celebrations that are not based on any specific religious or cultural orientations. Some, such as Apple Day and Bird Walks, foster respect for nature and the cycles of life. Others, such as Author's Teas, provide important opportunities for us to celebrate children's growth and accomplishments. The Bead Ceremony, perhaps SRV's most unique celebration, brings the whole community together to recognize children individually. SRV's celebrations are educational, inclusive, and bring tradition, richness and ritual to the curriculum and the community.
