At NHE, we believe that every child will be more successful, both academically and socially, if they are in a community where all children are valued and belong.
We seek to highlight the diversity within our school community throughout the year as we recognize and celebrate various observance days, weeks, and months.
Have an idea of an observance we can highlight?
Contact us at artsandedu@nottinghampta.com
Diversity is representation of, and respect for, people from different backgrounds and identities. It also involves bringing different ideas, perspectives, lived experiences, talents, values and worldviews to represent the broad variety of children, caregivers, educators and communities within the NHE family.
PTA’s mission to make every child’s potential a reality. Our collective backgrounds, perspectives and ideas allow us to best reflect the rich fabric of 21st century children, families, educators and community members—and create the strongest future and direction. Equity provides fairness in resources, opportunities and outcomes so that all children get what they need to be engaged and successful.
We continually learn and change to reflect our community's landscape in which unforeseen circumstances can affect our children, families and communities. We seize opportunities to build and share new models and ways of working on behalf of the success of all the students. Inclusion is actions, behaviors and social norms that ensure all children feel they are safe, welcomed and that they belong. This means putting diversity into action with skill and intentionality to ensure everyone feels respected, supported and valued—and can fully participate with equal voice and right to be heard.
SEPTEMBER
National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is recognized in the month of September. The observation began in 2012 under President Barack Obama and Gold has been the official color since 1977. Wear Gold, the symbolic color of childhood cancer strength and courage, to show solidarity. NHE wears Gold the last week of September and Student Council sells gold bracelets where all proceeds go to The American Childhood Cancer Organization. According to the American Childhood Cancer organization, every day, 42 families learn that their child has cancer, 1 in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday and globally, approximately 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. Currently though, for many children diagnosed with childhood cancer, the prognosis now is significantly better than it was only 40 years ago. Together, we can raise awareness and support those in need.
Explore More: www.acco.org
National Hispanic History Month
September 15 – October 15
The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Johnson and was expanded by President Reagan in 1988 to cover a full month. National Hispanic Heritage Month (Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana in Spanish) is celebrated in the U.S. annually Sep. 15-Oct. 15, recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans on U.S. history, culture, and achievements. The 2025 theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is "Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future." This theme emphasizes recognizing the rich history and ongoing contributions of the Hispanic and Latin American communities, while looking ahead to how they will continue to shape the future. Hispanic and Latin countries are those that Spanish or Portuguese are the official language. We are proud to represent both Hispanic and Latin countries at NHE. The contributions and experiences of Latinos in the United States are an essential
part of our nation's history and culture. Pioneers in the Latin culture are Dr. Ellen Ochoa who became the first Latina to go to space in 1993 on the Discovery space shuttle and Justice Sonia Sotomayor who became the first Latina and third woman to serve of the Supreme Court of the United States. Lin-Manuel Miranda is an award-winning composer, playwright, and actor who created winning musicals like Moana and Encanto.
Explore more: https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov
Hispanic Heritage Month - Origins & Facts:
https://www.history.com/topics/hispanic-history/hispanic-heritage-month
How to make paper fiesta flowers: https://www.desumama.com/easy-paper-
flower-tutorial-hispanic-heritage-month/
Museum of Latin American Art: https://molaa.org/
Special Buddies PROGRAM
Vision
Our vision is to create an environment where differences are welcomed, and meaningful connections are made between students of different abilities in order to break down barriers that can be caused by fear, misunderstanding or simply the lack of opportunity to interact with those who have disabilities. Creating this culture of diversity and inclusion at an early age sets a strong foundation for all children to grow into successful students who value contributions from others, respect and celebrate their peers, and conduct themselves with empathy, integrity and kindness.
Mission
Childhood has many challenges, and these challenges are even greater when a child has a disability. Recognizing the opportunity we have to make a positive difference in the social and academic outcomes for these students, the mission of Special Buddies is to extend a caring hand to our children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through meaningful interactions with typically developing peers, while embedding SBISD’s Core Values for each student participant:
- Every Child: Every Child. Every Day. Every Minute. Every Way
- Collective Greatness: Diversity Makes Us Stronger
- Collaborative Spirit: Assume the Best
- Limitless Curiosity: Tenaciously Embrace Challenges
- Moral Compass: Kindness and Mutual Respect
Goals
- To eliminate any fears or misconceptions that children who do not have intellectual and developmental disabilities might have about children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
- To provide children with IDD and children without IDD the opportunity to socialize. This will contribute to each child’s sense of purpose and self-esteem and provide positive skills for interpersonal relationships.
- To teach all children to embrace differences and become caring friends.
- To help all children learn that everyone has strengths, abilities, hopes and dreams and they each have something special to contribute to our school and community.
How your student can get involved
Students will be nominated to participate by their teacher in the Fall semester, and permission slips will be sent home. They will spend meaningful time with their Buddy in the Life Skills and APPLE rooms monthly. SPED teacher’s will guide students on how to interact with their buddies and introduce their
interests. Activities might include reading, listening to music, playing games, or working on crafts provided by the teacher or parent liaison. There will also be special events throughout the year to celebrate the friendships being made. Parents of any student participating in Special Buddies will be invited to attend and volunteer in small ways at each event. We look forward to another successful year of this program at NHE!
WANT to learn more or get involved with Special Buddies?
Contact the NHE Special Buddies program lead, Aubrey Honer at aubrey.t.honer@gmail.com.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Whether you have one hour or 40, there are many opportunities to support throughout the year!
Check out our current opportunities here
