Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1533049
CALENDAR March 2025 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. About 15% of public school students in California received special education services in 2022–23, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. With the right supports, these students can be included in and contribute to all areas of school and community life. Read CTA's stance on education for those with developmental disabilities at cta.org/our-advocacy/special-education. Arts Education A R T H A S A L W A Y S been a powerful tool for healing, expression and connection. Educators know the transformative role that creativity plays in processing trauma — from the recent L.A. wildfires, among other events — and fostering hope. March, Music in Our Schools Month (nafme.org), Arts Education Month and Youth Art Month (YAM; caea-arteducation.org), is a wonderful time to unleash the artist within. #AccelerateAction It will take until 2158 to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum. Not acceptable! Step up in solidarity on International Women's Day 2025, March 8, to #AccelerateAction and call for swift, decisive steps to end systemic barriers and biases that women face. Find ideas at internationalwomensday.com. (And did you know: IWD has origins in working women going on strike together more than 100 years ago.) March is also National Women's History Month. The 2025 theme, "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations," celebrates the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship and leadership (see our story on CTA's Lois Tinson, the first woman of color to serve as CTA president, on page 13). More at nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org. " The Colors I Breathe," by Isabella Ortega La Sierra High School (Grade 9), 2025 YAM Flag and Banner Program winner; teacher: Mollie Ganier, Alvord Educators Assn. 7 M A R C H 2 0 2 5 In the Know