DEI: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

World AIDS Day is observed globally on December 1st each year to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, honor those who have lost their lives to the disease, and support those living with HIV.

What to do on World AIDS day?

This Day is the point of convergence of the global AIDS Campaign, which is dynamic throughout the entire year. World AIDS Day is a worldwide recognition but not a public holiday.

Here is a quick background.

“AIDS” stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome and means a condition, which comes about because of the harm is done to the immune system caused by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). It was first recognized in 1981, and the term “AIDS” was first presented the next year on July 27.

The symbols.

You can likewise demonstrate your help for individuals living with HIV on World AIDS Day by wearing a red strip, the universal image of HIV mindfulness and support. The red lace was initially expected to be worn as an identification, yet is presently utilized as a part of a comprehensive assortment of ways.

Hanukkah (Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods.

The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple (as you’ll read below). Also spelled Hanukkah (or variations of that spelling).

When Is Chanukah?

Chanukah begins on the eve of Kislev 25 and continues for eight days. On the civil calendar, it generally coincides with the month of December. Chanukah 2023 runs from Dec. 7-Dec. 15.

In the second century BCE, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who tried to force the people of Israel to accept Greek culture and beliefs instead of mitzvah observance and belief in God. Against all odds, a small band of faithful but poorly armed Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of God.

When they sought to light the Temple's Menorah (the seven-branched candelabrum), they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity.

To commemorate and publicize these miracles, the sages instituted the festival of Chanukah.

At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting. The menorah holds nine flames, one of which is the shamash (“attendant”), which is used to kindle the other eight lights. On the first night, we light just one flame. On the second night, an additional flame is lit. By the eighth night of Chanukah, all eight lights are kindled.

On Friday afternoon, care must be taken to light the menorah before Shabbat candles are lit, and the following evening they are to be kindled only after Shabbat has ended.

Special blessings are recited, often to a traditional melody, before the menorah is lit, and traditional songs are sung afterward.

A menorah is lit in every household (or even by each individual within the household) and placed in a doorway or window. The menorah is also lit in synagogues and other public places. In recent years, thousands of jumbo menorahs have cropped up in front of city halls and legislative buildings, and in malls and parks all over the world.

Christmas (which means “The Mass of Christ”) is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus, who Christians believe is the Son of God. Christmas is also a cultural holiday for many non-Christians all over the world. It is usually celebrated in the month of December, with the main day being Christmas Day on December 25.

Christmas Day is celebrated on the 25th of December. It is an important day, mainly for Christians, along with Easter (which celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus). The season of Advent begins on a Sunday about four weeks before Christmas. During Advent, people prepare for Christmas. The Christmas season (called Christmastide) ends 6 January, also called the Twelfth Day of Christmas. On this day, Christians celebrate ‘’Epiphany‘’. Many Christians also attend Church on Christmas Day.

People celebrate Christmas in many places around the world. Some people celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. In some places, Christmas is a time of celebration for Christians and non-Christians alike. Christmas traditions are different in different countries. However, they almost always include a feast; giving gifts or cards; and enjoying church or public festivities, like singing Christmas carols and songs. Christmas is not limited to Christianity. The idea of Santa Claus is based on Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian saint of Greek origin.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Christmastide happens during the winter. Before Christmas was ever celebrated, ancient peoples celebrated winter festivals. Some traditions from these ancient festivals became Christmas traditions. For example, some Christmas traditions come from the pagan holiday of Yule. Today, Christmas traditions often focus on gift-giving. About a month before Christmas Day, retail stores start selling gifts, food, greeting cards, Christmas trees, Sugar cookies, Candy canes, and decorations.

Town councils celebrate by decorating streets and squares, and providing Christmas entertainment for shoppers. In countries of the Southern Hemisphere, where Christmas falls in Summer, there is a tradition of open-air Carol Services, often organized by the town council, which are attended by thousands of people.

In most homes when Christmas is celebrated, people set up a Christmas tree in the house. This old Yuletide custom began in Germany as the “Tannenbaum” (German for ‘’Fir Tree’’). These are traditionally evergreens, the best type being the Fir Tree which does not shed its needles or lose its fragrance. The tree may be a cut tree that is bought from a plantation or taken from the forest. Artificial trees are sometimes preferred to real trees. The Christmas tree is decorated with lights, shiny colored balls, sparkly tinsel and other ornaments. A wreath of leaves or pine is often put on the front door of a house as a sign of welcome. Other plants that have special significance at Christmas are holly which is used as decoration and mistletoe which is hung in the center of a room.

The giving of gifts at Christmas comes from several different ideas. One is that God gave his son, Jesus, to the world at Christmas. There is also the story of the Wise Men who came to the baby Jesus with three gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh. For many centuries it has been the custom for people to give small gifts at Christmas, and also to give generously to the poor and needy to help them through the winter. Another tradition has become linked to this one, and the result is the tradition of Santa Claus, or Father Christmas as he is sometimes called, and who is nowadays thought by many children to be the bringer of presents and happiness.

American culture. It is observed from December 26th to January 1st each year, culminating in a festive gathering known as the Karamu Ya Imani (Feast of Faith). Kwanzaa is a time for reflection, community, and the reaffirmation of cultural values and principles.

What is Kwanzaa 2024?

Kwanzaa is a non-religious and non-commercial holiday that was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor and activist. It is a celebration of African heritage, unity, and cultural identity, providing a meaningful opportunity for African-Americans and others to connect with their roots and express pride in their ancestry.

When is Kwanzaa 2024?

Kwanzaa is observed from December 26th to January 1st each year. It consists of seven days, with each day dedicated to one of the seven core principles known as the Nguzo Saba.

How to Celebrate Kwanzaa 2024?

Celebrating Kwanzaa involves various rituals and customs that revolve around the lighting of seven candles, one for each day of the holiday. Each candle represents one of the Nguzo Saba principles, which are:

1. Umoja (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, and nation.
2. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define and name ourselves, as well as create and speak for ourselves.
3. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together, making our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and solving them together.
4. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our stores, shops, and other businesses, and to profit from them together.
5. Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
6. Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can in the way we can to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
7. Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Here are some ways to celebrate Kwanzaa:

• Light the Kinara: Each day, light a candle on the Kinara (candleholder) and discuss the corresponding principle.
• Decorate with Symbols: Decorate your home with African-inspired decor, colors, and symbols such as the Bendera (flag) and Mazao (crops).
• Gift-Giving: Exchange meaningful gifts, especially those that promote African culture and heritage.
• Prepare Traditional Foods: Enjoy traditional African and African-American dishes during the Karamu Ya Imani feast.
• Drumming and Dance: Engage in traditional African music, drumming, and dance to celebrate the spirit of Kwanzaa.

History of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana Studies, as a way to promote African-American cultural unity and heritage. The name “Kwanzaa” is derived from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits of the harvest.” The holiday was designed to be a week-long celebration that incorporates African traditions and values.

Over the years, Kwanzaa has grown in popularity and is celebrated by millions of people worldwide as a time to honor African culture and reflect on the principles of unity, self-determination, and community.

WRAPPING IN A BERKELEY ONEDERLAND: VOLUNTEERS PREPARE GIFTS FOR BCSD STUDENTS

Monica Kreber

DEC 13, 2023

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The giant “team room” at Berkeley County School District’s MenRiv building normally serves as an open working space for visiting teachers, administrators and district officers.

On Tuesday, with holiday music playing overhead and a self-serve hot cocoa bar brewing up cups of cheer, the room looked a tad bit different – more whimsical, for sure.

In just one day, the team room became a sea of holiday-themed wrapping paper and gift bags; it was overflowing with children’s clothes, toys, bikes and skateboards.

More importantly, the room was bustling with volunteers – including Berkeley High seniors – all working hard to make help make this the best holiday season ever for more than 200 BCSD students.

Berkeley ONEderland is a program that brings gifts and other useful donations to BCSD students in need during the holiday season. Similar to the Angel Tree program, community members sign up to sponsor a student for the holidays by purchasing wish list items.

In previous years, BCSD social workers would spend a day wrapping donated items together, and then transition from “elves” to “Santa Claus” to start delivering presents to families.

Under the direction of Dr. Lorna Manglona-Alexander this year, the district expanded its services to take on more children to sponsor for the holidays, and recruited more volunteers to help spend a day gift-wrapping at MenRiv.

Manglona-Alexander serves as the district’s McKinney-Vento Systems Navigator. The McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 is a United States federal law that provides federal money for homeless shelter programs.

Each year, Manglona-Alexander said there are more and more at-risk children who need extra help during the holidays. With that in mind, Manglona-Alexander wanted to seek more community members to support BCSD’s efforts to sponsor children.

“We had such a tremendous outpouring,” Manglona-Alexander said, adding at there were community members who even offered to sponsor more than one child.

These sponsors went above and beyond in purchasing presents for the children. The presents came to MenRiv this week to be giftwrapped by different groups of volunteers, which included a squadron from Charleston Air Force Base, BCSD special services team members, district social workers, community members, and senior members of Berkeley High’s Future Business Leaders of America (or FBLA) team.

“We got a great response – people want to do it again next year,” Manglona-Alexander said, adding she would particularly like to get more BCSD student volunteers in the future. “I like that FBLA is here; they’re able to give back, and the kids are able to see that there are other kids in need, and they’re doing something for their own peers – I love that.”

FBLA members are students who have an interest in pursuing a business career after high school. Participating students are required to demonstrate their leadership capabilities through community service events, among other requirements.

The students, led by Berkeley High business teacher Shamika Smalley, came to MenRiv in matching FBLA t-shirts ready to spend an entire day wrapping presents.

Smalley said normally their group does a toy drive at the high school, but when she learned Berkeley ONEderland was going on, she reached out to Manglona-Alexander to ask how her FBLA students could get involved.

“It’s important for them (the students) to know what it’s like to help others,” Smalley said. “It’s definitely part of character-building, and it also showcases their leadership skills.”

Berkeley High FBLA president Kamryn Richardson said lending a hand with gift-wrapping showed her how much the district supports students even beyond classroom.

“I want to come back and help more,” she said.

FBLA member Mason Salisbury and treasurer Azaria Morant said their school’s FBLA program does different acts of services throughout the year for Berkeley High and its feeder pattern schools, from donating Thanksgiving turkeys to volunteering at school events.

Salisbury said the club is preparing students for life after graduation and hopefully running their own businesses one day, but the heart of the program is connecting more with the community.

“This is my first year in FBLA and I feel like I’ve reached out to the community more than I ever have my past three years at Berkeley High,” he said.

Morant echoed similar thoughts, adding those community connections are important for building leadership skills.

“To me it’s about family…it’s like a big family group,” she said.

FBLA members said they saw a variety of gifts while they were wrapping – Nike was a popular brand, and some other hot items included sneakers, clothes, winter jackets and Pokemon-themed toys (Salisbury said the hardest thing he wrapped was a skateboard).

The seniors said they plan to let FBLA’s lowerclassmen members know to look forward to volunteering at next year’s ONEderland gift wrapping event.

Social workers will take the wrapped presents and distribute them to families through the end of the week.

Kimberly T. McClary is a Licensed Mental Health Professional who has dedicated her entire career to providing therapy to individuals and families in the tri-county communities for over 22 years. During her career as a licensed therapist, she has worked closely with agencies such as DMH, DSS, DJJ, DCC, Summerville PD and Dorchester School district.

Kimberly believes strong and healthy communities are derived from individuals and families who are healthy emotionally, mentally and spiritually. By helping others address their emotional well-being, she is convinced that people can reach their goals and will be empowered to achieve the change they desire.

In addition to managing her career as a licensed therapist, she is a dedicated member of her church, New Life Christian Fellowship, as the leader of the women’s ministry. She ministers and encourages women through various events, such as women’s fellowship/ bible studies as well as hosts a yearly women’s retreat.

Kimberly holds a BA in Sociology from the College of Charleston and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Webster University. She is married to her best friend, Corey McClary and together they are the proud and dedicated parents of five children, Destiny, Danielle, Kaitlyn, Cayden, Cameron, and one grandchild, Carter.

Inclusive Excellence in Berkeley County Schools is dependent on how well we value, engage, and include the rich diversity of adults and students to create culturally responsive inclusive environments where adults and students have positive, healthy relationships, where students want to come everyday, where they feel engaged and cared for, and where teachers and staff feel supported.

Email: middletonkylon@bcsdschools.net
Website: https://www.bcsdschools.net/o/bcsd/page/inclusive-excellence-support-diversity
Location: 229 East Main Street, Moncks Corner, SC, USA
Phone: (843) 899-8505
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BerkeleyCountySchoolDistrict