The holiday season is a time of celebration, reflection, and joy for many, but for some students, it can also bring feelings of isolation, stress, and inequality. It’s critical to recognize the role of equity education in supporting all students—regardless of their background, income, or family situation.
Understanding Equity in Education
Equity in education is about recognizing and addressing the diverse needs of students to ensure they all have equal opportunities to succeed. It’s not the same as equality, which means treating everyone the same. Instead, equity involves giving each student what they need, whether that’s extra support, resources, or simply a safe space to learn and grow. This becomes especially important during the holiday season, when various cultural, economic, and social factors may affect students differently.
The Impact of the Holidays on Students
For many students, the holidays can be a difficult time. Some face challenges such as:
Financial Hardships: Not all families can afford gifts, special meals, or travel, leading to feelings of inadequacy or exclusion.
Cultural or Religious Differences: Some students may not celebrate the same holidays as their peers, which can create a sense of isolation or pressure to conform to mainstream holiday practices.
Emotional Struggles: The holidays can bring up feelings of loss, family conflict, or mental health struggles, which are often exacerbated by societal pressures to be cheerful and festive.
Lack of Resources: Some students may not have access to the resources they need to engage in holiday activities or maintain a healthy routine while school is out.
Why Equity Education Matters During the Holidays
CORE has always practiced inclusion during the holidays. We know when every Scholar feels they matter, it changes their entire outlook. Equity education encourages students to recognize and appreciate the diversity of traditions, challenges, and perspectives within their communities.
By providing additional resources during the holiday season—such as food, clothing, other donations, or mental health support, we ensure vulnerable students aren’t left behind.
Holiday-related activities in schools—such as gift exchanges, festive decorations, or classroom parties—can unintentionally alienate students who don’t celebrate or can’t afford to participate. We design inclusive events that consider the diversity of students’ cultural and economic backgrounds.
For students who face emotional difficulties during the holidays, such as loss, family separation, or mental health struggles, we help provide resources for coping strategies and access to support networks.
CORE incorporates lessons on different cultural, religious, and holiday traditions, highlighting the diversity of experiences during the holiday season. We encourage students to share their holiday traditions and experiences in a way that celebrates their uniqueness.
The holiday season is a time to come together and celebrate, but it’s also a valuable opportunity for schools to reinforce the values of equity, inclusion, and empathy. By utilizing the CORE methods we employ to integrate equity education into holiday programming, we can ensure that all students feel supported, understood, and valued — not just during the holidays but all year long.
