When the multicolored flowers begin to bloom, and the birds begin to return to their nests, it’s time for spring, a period full of bustling holidays and traditions. Every year brings a host of new opportunities, as well as the potential for creating long-lasting memories. This spring, like those before, brings holidays like Mother’s Day, May Day, Eid, Passover, and Easter to the Grier community. In this school full of people from different backgrounds, we wanted to highlight some of the spring holidays to show how everyone celebrates the season of rebirth differently.
The Muslim members of our community observed Ramadan from February 28th – March 29th this year. During this holiday season that promotes discipline, generosity, and understanding, individuals fasted from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food and water. After a full month of fasting, the arrival of Eid on March 29-30th marked the end of Ramadan. Eid, in Arabic means “the breaking of the fast.” It is a time of celebration and can be celebrated for up to three days.
Springtime, for Jewish people, brings the holiday of Passover from April 12-20. Passover commemorates the liberation of the Jewish people from Egypt. For eight days, many who observe the Jewish faith abstain from eating certain foods, including any food that is leavened like bread, pasta, and other grains. Passover is a time to be spent with family, and to find deeper connection with personal faith.
Easter arrives on the heels of Passover on April 20th. It is the most widely celebrated spring holiday throughout the western world. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Christian faith. For many Christians, Easter marks the end of Lent, which is a six-week long period of reflection, and often fasting as well. It is also common to give something up or make personal goals during Lent. On Easter, many people will engage in activities including egg-dying or egg hunting, with eggs representing the new life that comes with the warmer spring weather. Grier celebrated Easter with both an egg hunt and a formal Easter dinner for the community.
There are a couple more holidays to look forward to in the coming months. Mother’s Day on May 11th is a day to celebrate all of the moms and other caregivers in our lives. Children take the time to do a little extra for their mom on this day by doing acts of gratitude like breakfast in bed, flowers, or just a simple “Thank you.” These are just some of the many ways that children can try to give back to the wonderful mothers who brought them up.
The final holiday of spring is May Day, aka Labor Day. May Day celebrates all international labor workers and working-class individuals who put in many hours of dedication and grit. May Day is a time to reflect and be thankful for these people. It also marks the unofficial transition into the summer season.
All of these spring holidays have special importance and represent change and transition. As Grier closes out the 2024-2025 school year, they are the perfect times to reflect on how this year has changed all of us and on the new opportunities coming our way.
