Recognizing special days and awareness months is an opportunity to build community, highlight values, and celebrate the individuals and events that shape our school environments. These observances support a culture of belonging, appreciation, and learning. By honoring diverse contributions and causes, schools model empathy, curiosity, and respect—qualities that help shape students into thoughtful, engaged citizens.
Here is a list of April recognitions and holidays, along with suggestions on how they can be observed and celebrated in schools:
April Recognitions and Holidays
World Autism Month
- About: Raises awareness and promotes understanding and acceptance of people with autism.
How to Celebrate:
- Awareness Campaigns: Share facts and stories about autism across the school.
- Inclusion Projects: Create opportunities for students to learn how to support peers with autism.
- Wear Blue Day: Encourage the school to wear blue as a sign of support.
National Occupational Therapy Month
- About: Honors the role of occupational therapists in helping students participate fully in school activities.
How to Celebrate:
- Appreciation Notes: Recognize school occupational therapists with thank-you cards from students and staff.
- Educational Displays: Highlight how OT supports student learning and development.
National Poetry Month
- About: Celebrates poetry’s important place in culture and education.
How to Celebrate:
- Poetry Readings: Host open mic sessions for students to share their favorite poems or original work.
- Poem-a-Day: Share a new poem with students daily via announcements or classroom reading.
- Poetry Contests: Invite students to enter school-wide poetry competitions.
National School Library Month
- About: Recognizes the essential role school libraries and librarians play in supporting student learning.
How to Celebrate:
- Library Events: Host book clubs, author visits, or reading challenges.
- Librarian Appreciation: Celebrate your school librarian with a small event or thank-you messages.
April 1: April Fools’ Day
- About: A day known for playful pranks and humor.
How to Celebrate:
- Positive Pranks: Share fun, lighthearted jokes or activities that promote laughter.
- Creativity Challenge: Host a contest for the most creative, kind classroom prank or joke.
April 2: International Children’s Book Day
- About: Promotes a love of reading and children’s literature.
How to Celebrate:
- Reading Sessions: Have older students read favorite books to younger peers.
- Author Spotlights: Highlight the work of diverse children’s authors throughout the day.
April 2: Paraprofessionals Appreciation Day
- About: Celebrates the vital contributions of paraeducators in supporting student success.
How to Celebrate:
- Thank-You Wall: Invite students to write messages of appreciation.
- Recognition Ceremony: Host a small celebration for your school’s paraprofessionals.
April 7-11: National Assistant Principals Week
- About: Recognizes assistant principals for their hard work and commitment to school leadership.
How to Celebrate:
- Daily Shoutouts: Share thank-you messages on morning announcements.
- Staff and Student Notes: Create a “Wall of Gratitude” for APs with messages from students and staff.
April 7: World Health Day
- About: Promotes awareness of global health issues and the importance of well-being.
