Mandatory Recognition Dates

• According to Legal policy EHBK, a District shall regularly observe the following recognition days, weeks, and months by appropriate programs, celebrations, and activities:
   

  • WOMEN'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

  • August 26: Women’s Independence Day, commemorates the ratification in 1920 of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote. Women’s Independence Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate programs in public schools to inspire a greater appreciation of the importance of women’s suffrage. The date coincides with the federal Women's Equality Day. Gov’t Code 662.051

  • HYDROCEPHALUS AWARENESS MONTH

  • September: Hydrocephalus Awareness Month

    1. Increase public awareness of hydrocephalus, a serious neurological condition characterized by the abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluids in the ventricles of the brain; and

    2. Encourage the development of partnerships between the federal government, healthcare professionals, and patient advocacy groups to advance the public’s understanding of the condition, improve the diagnosis and treatment of the condition, and support research for a cure.

  • Hydrocephalus Awareness Month shall be regularly observed by appropriate activities in public schools to increase awareness of hydrocephalus.

  • TEXAS FIRST RESPONDERS DAY

  • September 11: Texas First Responders Day, in honor of the bravery, courage, and determination of Texas men and women who assist others in emergencies. Texas First Responders Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies in the public schools to honor Texas first responders. A district may determine the appropriate ceremonies by which Texas observes Texas First Responders Day. Gov’t Code 662.050

  • SEPTEMBER 11

  • September 11: To commemorate the events of September 11, 2001, in each year that date falls on a regular school day, each public elementary and secondary school shall provide for the observance of one minute of silence at the beginning of the first class period of that day. Immediately before the required period of observance, the class instructor shall make a statement of reference to the memory of individuals who died on September 11, 2001. The required period of observance may be held in conjunction with the minute of silence required by Education Code 25.082. [See EC] Education Code 25.0821

  • CONSTITUTION DAY

  • September 17: A district that receives federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution for the students served by the district. Pub. L. 108-447 (2004)

  • CELEBRATE FREEDOM WEEK

  • Week of September 17: Celebrate Freedom Week, to educate students about the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of this country and the values on which this country was founded. Education Code 29.907 

  • Each social studies class shall include, during Celebrate Freedom Week or during another full school week as determined by the board, appropriate instruction concerning the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in their historical context. 

  • The study of the Declaration of Independence must include the study of the relationship of the ideas expressed in that document to subsequent American history, including the relationship of its ideas to the rich diversity of our people as a nation of immigrants, the American Revolution, the formulation of the United States Constitution, and the abolitionist movement, which led to the Emancipation Proclamation and the women’s suffrage movement. 19 TAC 74.33(a)
    
    Each district shall require that, during Celebrate Freedom Week or other prescribed week of instruction, students in grades 3–12 study and recite the following text: “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness — That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their Just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.”

  • AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE DAY

  • The last Friday in September is in recognition of the historic, cultural, and social contributions American Indian communities and leaders have made to Texas. American Indian Heritage Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs in public schools to honor American Indians in Texas and to celebrate the rich traditional and contemporary American Indian culture. Gov’t Code 662.056

  • FATHER OF TEXAS DAY

  • November 3: Father of Texas Day, in memory of Stephen F. Austin, the great pioneer patriot and the real and true Father of Texas. Father of Texas Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate and patriotic programs in the public schools to properly commemorate the birthday of Stephen F. Austin and to inspire a greater love for this beloved state. Gov’t Code 662.045

  • SAM RAYBURN DAY

  • January 6: Sam Rayburn Day, in memory of that great Texas and American statesman, Sam Rayburn. Sam Rayburn Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate programs in the public schools to commemorate the birthday of Sam Rayburn. Gov’t Code 662.041

  • STATE OF TEXAS ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE DAY

  • February 19: State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day (STAR Day), in honor of Texas joining the Union and the day that James Pinckney Henderson became the first governor of the state of Texas in 1846. STAR Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate and patriotic programs in the public schools to properly commemorate the annexation of this state and to inspire a greater appreciation for the history of this state. Gov’t Code 662.047

  • TEXAS HISTORY MONTH

  • March: Texas History Month, in honor of those Texans who helped shape the history of the state of Texas and in recognition of events throughout Texas’s history. Texas History Month shall be regularly observed by appropriate celebrations and activities in public schools to promote interest in and knowledge of Texas history. Gov’t Code 662.102

  • TEXAS GIRLS IN STEM DAY

  • March 1 is designated as Texas Girls in STEM Day to celebrate and encourage the participation of girls in this state in fields related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

  • Texas Girls in STEM Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs in public schools, public institutions of higher education, and other places to:0)

    1. Encourage girls in this state to consider career fields in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and

    2. Celebrate and honor the women of this state who have excelled in those fields.

  • Gov’t Code 662.071

  • TEXAS FRUIT AND VEGETABLE DAY

  • The first Friday in April is designated Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day in public schools to promote awareness of the health benefits of fruits and vegetables and to encourage students to consume more fruits and vegetables during Texas Fruit and Vegetable Month. Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day shall include appropriate instruction, as determined by the district. Education Code 29.9073

  • PUBLIC SCHOOL PARAPROFESSIONAL DAY

  • The second Wednesday in May: Public School Paraprofessional Day, in recognition of education paraprofessionals including teacher assistants, instructional aides, educational trainers, library attendants, bilingual assistants, special education associates, mentors, and tutors. Public School Paraprofessional Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies and activities in the public schools to properly recognize the paraprofessionals who have made tremendous contributions to the educational process. Gov’t Code 662.049

  • TEXAS MILITARY HEROES DAY

  • To educate students about the sacrifices made by brave Texans who have served in the armed forces of the United States, the governor shall designate a day to be known as Texas Military Heroes Day in public schools.

  • Texas Military Heroes Day shall include appropriate instruction, as determined by each district. Instruction may include: 0)

    1. Information about persons who have served in the armed forces of the United States and are from the community or the geographic area in which the district is located; and

    2. Participation, in person or using technology, in age-appropriate learning projects at battlefields and gravesites associated with a person who has served in the armed forces.

  • Education Code 29.9071

  • GENERATION TEXAS WEEK

  • Each district offering middle school, junior high school, or high school grade levels shall designate one week during the school year as Generation Texas Week. During the designated week, each middle school, junior high school, and high school shall provide students with comprehensive grade-appropriate information about the pursuit of higher education. 

  • Education Code 29.911

  • HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE WEEK

  • To educate students about the Holocaust and inspire in students a sense of responsibility to recognize and uphold human values and to prevent future atrocities, the governor shall designate a week to be known as Holocaust Remembrance Week in public schools. Holocaust Remembrance Week shall include age-appropriate instruction, as determined by each district.