We co-create just and humanizing educational communities where every student thrives and succeeds, benefiting future generations. 

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From Christmas to Kwanzaa: Celebrating the Holiday Season
Holidays

Happy holidays! The winter holiday season is filled with a rich variety of celebrations, from Christmas (December 25), to the Jewish observance of Hanukkah/Chanukah (December 14-22), to the Latin celebration of Nochebuena, to Kwanzaa, for those of African-American descent.

For Latinx people as well as those in the Philippines, the birth of Christ isn't celebrated on December 25, but on December 24, the night before known as "Nochebuena" (meaning "good night"), when a feast of traditional dishes is served, followed by dancing and celebration, the opening of gifts, and the singing of Christmas carols called Villancicos. Families may also attend a late-night church service or mass known as "La Misa del Gallo," or "The Rooster's Mass." Followed in many cases by still more parties and celebrations!

Meanwhile, Kwanzaa, an African-American holiday celebration of life, takes place from December 26 to January 1. Named for the KiSwahili (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) word meaning "first," Kwanzaa was inspired by the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits."

Taking place over seven nights, on each night of Kwanzaa, families gather, the unity cup is poured with libations honoring the ancestors, and one of the seven candles on the Kinara (a candleholder) is lit. The candles are reminders of ancestral origins back in 55 African countries, as well as of the seven principles of Nguzo Saba that are intrinsic to African culture—unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. With the lighting of each candle, each principle is discussed in turn by the family, and gifts are exchanged. On December 31, a feast is shared that frequently includes cuisine from across African countries.

All of these holidays share a common observance of peace, joy and culture. Which do you celebrate?

 

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A graphic image with the words Celebrating Civil Rights - Civil Rights Act and an image of Black marchers.

July 2 marks the anniversary of our Civil Rights Act—a landmark moment in U.S. history of the Act signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2, 1964. It prohibited racial discrimination in public places, as well as providing for the integration of schools and other public facilities. It also made employment discrimination illegal and was considered the most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction.
 

Read More about Honoring Civil Rights for All on the Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act
A picture of young students examining a container of river water for science.

Across PSESD, today’s students are doing more than studying the environment—they’re working to save it.

In Snoqualmie Valley School District, Meadowbrook School’s (MBS) secondary students recently took their commitment to environmental stewardship to the banks of the Snoqualmie River. Students partnered with Nature Vision and the Changing Seasons Farm, as part of their Blue Team program, to continue a vital, multi-year study of the local salmon spawning watershed near Carnation.

Read More about Students Work to Restore Local Watershed
A picture of Bethel Librarian Amy Dalin

The arrival of warmer weather at Kapowsin Elementary in Bethel School District means that teacher librarian Amy Dalin’s library is on the move.

While some might picture a library as a place of hushed silence and heavy curtains, Dalin prefers a bit of "controlled chaos" and the fresh air of the Pacific Northwest as another wonderful location for encouraging students to discover a love of reading.

Read More about School Librarian Brings Stories into the Sunshine in Bethel
A graphic of two hands signing and the words "Deafblind Awareness Week"

Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing in early infancy, yet she overcame those obstacles to become a celebrated author and representative of the deafblind community and its potential during her lifetime. Taking place during the week of her birthday on June 27, Deafblind Awareness Week takes place each year during the last week of June, and this year, it will be observed from June 25 to July 1.

Read More about Deafblind Awareness Week and the Legacy of Helen Keller
A painted wall mural depicting a diverse group of happy children in a Northwest setting.

There's a common saying that "A picture is worth a thousand words." Here at PSESD, we decided to add two pictures to bring to life a visual depiction of our End: “We co-create just and humanizing educational communities where every student thrives and succeeds, benefiting future generations."

As a result, the lobby at our main PSESD Renton office now features two beautiful new wall murals by artists Nofo Porter and Leslie Khounsombath, who collaborated to transform those words into vibrant images.

Read More about Our New Murals Are a Vibrant Connection of “Land, Water, and People”
Gustavo Balderas’ headshot

The YouTube show "Capacito Cultural" provides an opportunity for conversation in the professional learning community, in a space where culture meets leadership for meaningful conversation that inspires action.

Hosted by founder Dr. Rosa Maria Bell, the most recent episode, "When Funding Fades, Leadership Is Revealed: A Call to Act for Multilingual Learners," features a timely discussion between Bell and PSESD Superintendent Dr. Gustavo Balderas that emphasized how educational leadership isn't measured by resources, but by the vision, courage, and commitment they demonstrate in service to their students and communities.

Read More about When Funding Fades, Leadership is Revealed
People dance and celebrate in the square of a community farmer's marketplace.

It's time for Juneteenth! Officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, Juneteenth is a federal U.S. holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States while celebrating the resilience and strength of the Black community across the years. Here's your opportunity to celebrate from June 17 through June 21, with our specially assembled calendar that spotlights the rich array of Juneteenth celebrations you can attend throughout Puget Sound.

Read More about Juneteenth 2026 Celebrations Across Puget Sound
A man plays jazz on the standing bass.

In Shoreline School District, the Shorewood High School Jazz Band was recently selected as a finalist for the 31st annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival, which is widely regarded as the nation’s most prestigious high school jazz competition. Shorewood was one of just 20 schools nationwide invited to perform at the event in New York City.

Read More about Shorewood Jazz Band Earns National Recognition at Essentially Ellington