NYSUT, through its social justice mission, directs educators to standard, new or underserved causes students can learn about.
September
Hispanic Heritage Month
NYSUT celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a new poster honoring Sylvia Mendez, an American civil rights activist of Mexican-Puerto Rican heritage. Go to nysut.org/publications.
Sept. 8
Labor Day
Celebrates the contributions workers have made to the country's strength, prosperity and well-being.
Sept. 21
World Peace Day
Cease hostility and educate about peace. Visit www.un.org/en/events/peaceday.
October
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
For ideas and suggestions on age-appropriate activities, visit www.ncadv.org.
Fair Trade Month
Learn how to improve lives, protect the environment at fairtradeusa.org. Become a Fair Trade School at fairtradecampaigns.org/campaign-type/schools.
Oct. 6
Child Health Day
Teach children the benefits of good health and teach parents how to support their children with good nutrition, year-round fitness and exercise. mchb.hrsa.gov/childhealthday.
Oct. 9
National Depression Screening Day
Promotes social justice for those with mental health challenges. Go to www.mentalhealthscreening.org.
November
Nov. 17-21
American Education Week
This week, sponsored by the National Education Association, celebrates public education and honors individuals who make a difference to ensure every child receives a quality education.
Nov. 16
World Food Day
Sept. 30 deadline for student poster contest at www.fao.org/world-food-day/contest/2014/en.
Nov. 19
World Toilet Day
Safe sanitation is unavailable for 1 in 3 people; open-air toileting causes widespread death and disease, social marginalization and increased risk of assault. Many schools cannot provide clean, safe toilets. worldtoiletday.org.
Nov. 25
International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women
The cost of intimate partner violence in the U.S. exceeds $5.8 billion per year: $4.1 billion in direct medical and health care services; $1.8 billion in productivity losses. To support the cause, wear orange on the 25th of each month. www.un.org/en/events/endviolenceday
December
Dec. 1
World Aids Day
An opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. www.worldaidsday.org
Dec. 3
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
The promise of technology is the theme of this year's recognition. Visit www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=111 for more info.
Dec. 10
International Human Rights Day
The UN created Human Rights Day in 1950 to spotlight the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the common standard of achievement. Poverty, torture, discrimination and more are addressed. www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday
January
Jan. 11
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that more than 20 million men, women and children worldwide, including the U.S., are victims of human trafficking, which includes forced labor, debt bondage and sex trafficking. Visit www.acf.hhs.gov/news/january-11-national-human-trafficking-awareness-day.
Jan. 27
Holocaust Remembrance Day
www.ushmm.org
February
Feb. 12
Red Hand Day
The UN estimates more than 250,000 child soldiers are pressed into service around the world. The Red Hand campaign aims to stop this practice. Visit www.redhandday.org for more info.
Feb. 20
World Day of Social Justice
www.un.org/en/events/socialjusticeday/.
March
40-Hour Fast
Every year the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State conducts a 40-hour fast in March to call attention to hunger and promote worker justice. Visit www.labor-religion.org for information on the 2015 fast.
Women's History Month
The 2015 theme is Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives. According to the National Women's History Month organizers, this theme "presents the opportunity to weave women's stories - individually and collectively - into the essential fabric our nation's history." www.nwhp.org/womens-history-month/theme
March 8
International Women's Day
A time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. www.un.org/en/events/womensday
March 21
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
www.un.org/en/events/racialdiscriminationday
April
Child Abuse Prevention Month
A time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families. www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/about
April 4
International Day of Mine Awareness
Visit www.un.org/en/events/mineawarenessday to learn about progress to eradicate land mines.
April 17-19
Global Youth Services Day
Celebrates and mobilizes the millions of young people who improve their communities each day of the year through service. www.gysd.org/about
April 22
Earth Day
Plant trees, clean an outdoor area or plant flowers that attract butterflies. www.almanac.com/content/plants-attract-butterflies
April 23
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Shows children the value of their education, helps them discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life, and provides them an opportunity to share how they envision the future. www.daughtersandsonstowork.org
May
May 1
International Workers Day
Celebrates laborers and the working classes.
May 5
National Teachers Day
Part of Teacher Appreciation Week to honor teachers and the hard work they do.
May 25
National Missing Children's Day
Contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com/. Pledge 25 minutes to talk to children about safety at www.take25.org/.
June
June 5
World Environment Day
Encourages worldwide awareness and action for the environment. It serves as the 'people's day' for doing something positive for the environment. www.unep.org/wed
June 12
World Day Against Child Labor
Social protection enables access to education, health care and nutrition and plays a critical role in the fight against child labor. Visit the International Labour Organization at www.ilo.org.
June 15
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Focuses global attention on the physical, emotional and financial abuse of elders. unsdn.org/?p=7254
June 20
World Refugee Day
Every minute eight people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror. Children constitute 46 percent of the refugee population, the UN reports. Visit www.un.org/en/events/refugeeday. In 2014, more than 20 international celebrities released a series of 30-second videos supporting refugees. See the collection at webtv.un.org/search?term=World+Refugee+Day+2014.
July
July 26
National Parent's Day
Honor exemplary parents and encourages families everywhere to invest in our most precious resource – our children. www.parentsday.com.
July 30
International Day of Friendship
Friendship between peoples, countries, and cultures can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. www.un.org/en/events/friendshipday