At the Tidewater School, students learn about and celebrate holidays from all over the world. Students learn about different world cultures to enhance their view of the world, give them the tools for recognizing the strength in diversity, and live in peace within a rich, engaging, and diverse world. Our aim is to celebrate, learn about, and enjoy different cultures and holidays from around the world. Here is sampling of what we do.
Family Volunteer Day is the unofficial kickoff to the new school year. Families and staff gather to repair, assemble, plant and get the grounds and building ready for the new school year. Of course, sharing a pot luck lunch follows!
Peace One Day (September 21) Our students join others around the world in a day established by the United Nations to promote peace education. The International Day of Peace, as it is officially known, is observed annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence.
Fall Harvest Day is a time for families and children to meet at a local farm to play, gather pumpkins, and share a meal. This tradition usually involves pumpkins too!
Tidewater Traditions - Further Information
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Dia de los Muertos
Dia de los Muertos is celebrated as part of our Spanish class work. This Mexican festival, celebrating the lives of those who have passed, is common in many cultures this time of year. Our students and families enjoy coming together for this annual feast and parade, which includes music, masks, marigolds and tacos.
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Diwali
Diwali is the annual celebration of the Hindu New Year. Special guests tell the story of how families around the world celebrate. During this festival of lights, our celebration includes music, dancing, food and lots of beautiful clothes and fabrics.
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Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, Tu B’Shavat, Passover
Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, Tu B’Shavat, Passover are celebrated with the help of our Jewish families. Food, stories, songs, and special family traditions are shared in each class to help our children appreciate these high holy days.
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Thanksgiving Feast and Community Service
Thanksgiving Feast and Community Service is organized by our Upper Elementary Class. They hold a month-long collection drive for a local charity. After preparing and enjoying a Thanksgiving Feast with their parents and friends, they transport all the supplies to the local charity. It is a memorable way to remember to be thankful for all that we have.
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Christmas, St. Lucia Day, Las Posadas
Christmas, St. Lucia Day, Las Posadas: Our students take part in celebrating cultural traditions from around the world as part of the Christian observance of the birth of Jesus during the month of December. Music and stories are a big part of our celebrations!
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World Tour
World Tour Our classes embark on an imaginary trip around the world that starts in January and ends in May. The classes visit each continent and study the culture, music, art, biomes, food, and language unique to each country they visit. During this time, family members and friends who have lived in or visited different countries are invited to share their experiences and the oldest children are our tour guides for the destinations.
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Earth Day
Earth Day: Tree planting, beginning our gardens, learning form the experts, and of course songs and fun help us mark Earth Day each year.
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May Pole Day
May Pole Day: What better way to welcome the month of May than to sing and dance! We come together to perform special choreographed dances and sing happy songs to welcome the warmer weather and the month of May.
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Parent and Child Days
Parent and Child Days (Throughout the year) A chance for parents visit the classrooms and learn a little about the daily happenings in their child’s classroom.
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Book Swap
Book Swap is a fun Tidewater tradition where students and parents can bring books to the event and swap just before the end of the school year so as to insure good summer reading. We also select books from our library to offer as well as contribute to our Little Free Library.
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Parenting Class
Parenting Class (spring) A five-session course for parents to learn about child development and Adlerian behavior philosophy. Parents learn strategies to cope with children’s behavior in a proactive, logical, and loving manner.