USN celebrates Diwali on November 7

By Rebecca Stokes, Director of Auxiliary Programs

In the coming weeks, After School will be full of celebration as we learn about the Day of the Dead, Native American Heritage, and Diwali. Read on for all the information.

Halloween
Halloween is a half day this year. For those registered to attend, After School will remain open until 6 p.m. We do not have classes scheduled for this day, as it is a half day and many of our students leave festively early. 
Please remember to use the Lower School Dismissal Change Form if you would like your child sent to the 21st garage for afternoon dismissal on this day.

Dia de los Muertos
Dia de los Muertos is celebrated on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2. Our Ofrenda is all set up and ready to go in the After School room as we learn all about this celebration. We invite your family to email digital photos of your loved ones to be displayed on our Ofrenda as a way of remembering and honoring them. Next week, we will learn all about it with stories and decorate our own sugar skulls. Send photos to rstokes@usn.org.

Native American Heritage Month
We will spend the month of November celebrating Native American Heritage Month. We will learn about the Native Americans that once lived, worked, hunted, and thrived on the land on which USN is built, we will learn about different types of dances and what makes them each significant, and we will learn about some important Native Americans throughout history.

Diwali
Diwali celebrations last from Tuesday, October 29 until Sunday, November 3 this year. Students in After School will learn all about this celebration of light over darkness. We will read Diwali stories and make rangoli during our art time. On Thursday, November 7, we will have our annual After School Diwali celebration. Students will float diyas across our indoor swimming pool and have the opportunity to get henna on their hands. I hear we may even be treated to a dance by a group of our own students. Please come to the After School room to enjoy delicious Indian food when you come to pick up your child. There will be plenty for everyone.

Gratitude
With so much to celebrate, it's easy to see why our social-emotional learning theme for the month of November is gratitude. Staff and students will be encouraged to focus on what they are grateful for and learn to keep this perspective in mind.