In celebration
Cultural Events
We celebrate a diverse range of cultures, ethnicities and religions with our monthly cultural events.
Cultural Events
International Day of Peace
To celebrate the International Day of Peace, One World Montessori participates in “Sing Peace Around the World”. This historical event first took place on September 21st, 2009, when the Montessori world came together to celebrate peace.
The song, Light a Candle for Peace, starts on September 21st in New Zealand at 11:00am precisely, and is continuously sung for 24 hours by children in countries around the world until it reaches the Hawaiian Islands. Our students decorate their classrooms and the yard with paper cranes, and create pinwheels which are used to make a peace symbol in the yard. Everyone gathers around the peace symbol and sings Light a Candle for Peace continuously for our five-minute time slot.
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United Nations Day
Maria Montessori believed that from an early age it was very important for children to become aware that all people have similar needs, but may satisfy them in different ways, depending on what is available to them within their environment. She believed that imparting this information to children is essential if we are to evolve into a more accepting and peaceful species. For that reason, we include “Peoples of the World” and “Fundamental Needs of People” materials in our classrooms. We also celebrate United Nations’ Day. Although all of us now live in the United States of America, and many of our families have done so for generations, all of the people presently living in North America, aside from Native Americans, originally came from a different continent and followed customs from different countries. We acknowledge and enjoy the richness of this cultural diversity on United Nations’ Day each year in October.
For United Nations’ Day, the children come to school dressed in the traditional garb of the country of one of their ancestors. For the celebration, the children learn songs, greetings, and phrases from each country that is represented. We will also have a potluck feast immediately following the celebration, with a wide array of delicious cuisine from around the world.
Parents and other family members are welcome to join us for this special celebration.
Halloween
Each year, we enjoy celebrating Halloween with the children by having them come to school in costume, singing Halloween songs, eating special Halloween treats, and trick-or-treating for Halloween goodies. Our celebration is in the morning so that half-day children can participate.
When choosing a costume with your child, make sure that it is comfortable and allows for freedom of movement. Make sure that it does not limit or obscure their field of vision. We do not allow masks at school as they often frighten the little ones and obscure vision. Weapons are also not permitted (even though they might seem to go with their costume), and will be confiscated. Costumes that are likely to promote violent or threatening behavior (i.e., Superman and Spiderman) are also not permitted. We also would like to avoid costumes of cartoon characters (i.e., Pocahontas, Belle, and Sponge Bob Squarepants). We cannot stress this strongly enough: If children come to school dressed in such costumes, we will remove them and give the children some other costume to wear. Also, be wary of those plastic costumes that tie around the neck; they tend to rip very easily, and if the cape gets caught on something, a child can choke.
North America Immersion Day
Each month we will focus on a different continent. During the month of November, we will be working with materials related to the continent of North America, which will culminate in North America Immersion Day. We encourage you to engage your children in conversation, reading, and doing cultural activities related to North America and the countries associated with it. Looking at maps, reading books, eating new foods, listening to music, and discussing the people and their traditions, plants and animals from these countries will create a better understanding of what makes this continent unique.
Diwali Celebration
Every year, we celebrate the Indian festival of Diwali. This is the first of several Festivals of Light that we acknowledge each year. Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Dipawali which translates as row of lights. Festivities begin with the lighting of lamps on the night of the new moon in the month of Kartika (October-November). The celebration throughout the country continues for at least two or three days. In some areas it may last as many as ten days. It also marks the end of autumn and the beginning of the winter season in India. The origins of Diwali are obscured in folklore and legend. Some say it commemorates the return of Rama and his bride, Sita, to his throne at Ayidhya after a fourteen-year exile. Others believe it marks Krishna’s destruction of Narakasura, the demon of filth. Still others trace its beginnings to the freeing of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, from prison in the Nether World. In Bengal, some interpret it as a time to honor the goddess Kali.
In any case, every household marks the occasion by illuminating interiors, courtyards, outer walls, roofs, gates and gardens with lights, as if to show the way for any or all of these mythic travelers. Traditionally, the lights were tiny lamps called dipas. Though many people continue to make dipas, candles and electric lights are also used. Homes are cleaned from top to bottom and decorated with garlands of brightly colored flowers. Birds and flower designs called kolams or rangoli are made with colored rice flour on the doorsteps. People dress in their finest clothes, have wonderful feasts and visit friends and relatives. In the evening, prayers and offerings are given at the family altar and the lamps are lit.
At school, many of our Indian families get together to prepare a special presentation for all the Primary children to allow them to experience this holiday. Part of this involves a special holiday meal. We also enjoy a dance performance and other special activities as part of our celebration.
Thanksgiving
Every year, we have a very elaborate Thanksgiving feast the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The children do most of the food preparation and quite a bit of the cooking by themselves for the banquet.
It is also a day of reflection on what we can be thankful for and how we can share our blessings with each other. Parents and alumni are welcome to come and participate in our Thanksgiving celebration. This special feast has been featured in the Almaden Resident and the San Jose Mercury News.
South America Immersion Day
During this month, we will be working with materials related to the continent of South America, which will culminate in South American Immersion Day. We encourage you to engage your children in conversation, reading, and doing cultural activities related to South America and the countries associated with it. These include Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Uruguay, and Falkland Islands.
Looking at maps, eating new foods, listening to music from this region, and discussing plants and animals from these countries will create a better understanding of what makes this continent unique.
Hanukkah & Kwanzaa & Christmas Celebrations
We honor traditions of many cultures and countries. The children learn the meaning behind each of the celebrated Winter holidays.
Holiday Performance
The children work hard to learn seasonal songs and dances (or a play or musical) and share them during a performance for all our families.
Europe Immersion Day
During the month of January, we will be working with materials related to the continent of Europe, which will culminate in Europe Immersion Day. We encourage you to engage your children in conversation, reading, and doing cultural activities related to Europe and the countries associated with it. Looking at maps, reading books, eating new foods, listening to music, and discussing the people and their traditions, plants and animals from these countries will create a better understanding of what makes this continent unique.
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is the most important holiday in China, and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, and countries with a significant overseas Chinese population. The children celebrate with songs, crafts, special food and red envelopes for good luck.
MLK Day
We share the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr and celebrate Black History month with the children.
Asia Immersion Day
During the month of February, we will be working with materials related to the continent ofAsia, which will culminate in Asia Immersion Day. We encourage you to engage your children in conversation, reading, and doing cultural activities related to Asia and the countries associated with it. Looking at maps, reading books, eating new foods, listening to music, and discussing the people and their traditions, plants and animals from these countries will create a better understanding of what makes this continent unique.
Ramadan
Ramadan also spelled Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan or Ramathan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.
Nowruz
The word Nowruz means new day; its spelling and pronunciation may vary by country. Nowruz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on 21 March. It is considered the Persian New Year.
Africa Immersion Day
During the month of March, we will be working with materials related to the continent of Africa, which will culminate in Africa Immersion Day. We encourage you to engage your children in conversation, reading, and doing cultural activities related to Africa and the countries associated with it. Looking at maps, reading books, eating new foods, listening to music, and discussing the people and their traditions, plants and animals from these countries will create a better understanding of what makes this continent unique.
Easter
Easter is one of the principal holidays of Christianity. It marks the Resurrection of Jesus three days after his death by crucifixion. For many Christian churches, Easter is the joyful end to the Lenten season of fasting and penitence. Easter is determined by the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal (or spring) equinox. For example, in 2024, the vernal equinox is on 20th March and the following full moon is on 30th March. Therefore, Easter is on the 30th. The children celebrate with an Easter Egg hunt and crafts.
Earth Day
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd to raise awareness and support for environmental protection. The first Earth Day was held in 1970, and it is now observed by millions of people in over 190 countries around the world. The Montesssori primary curriculum grounds the children in the study of geography – our world. Celebrating Earth Day is a way for the children to further connect to this place we all call home. The children sing songs, make maps and have a performance.
Australia Immersion Day
During the month of April, we will be working with materials related to the continent of Australia, which will culminate in Australia Immersion Day. We encourage you to engage your children in conversation, reading, and doing cultural activities related to Australia and the countries associated with it. Looking at maps, reading books, eating new foods, listening to music, and discussing the people and their traditions, plants and animals from this part of the world will create a better understanding of what makes this continent unique.
USA Immersion Day
During the month of May we will be working with materials related to the United States of America, which will culminate in USA Immersion Day.
Graduation
The 3rd year students graduate from the program during a ceremony that features poems, songs and celebration!
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