Inclusive Schools WeekTM (ISW) highlights and celebrates the progress schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to all students, including those who are marginalized due to disability, gender, ethnicity, geography, and language. It also provides an important opportunity for educators, students, and families to discuss what else needs to be done to ensure that schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children.
Princeton City Schools will join schools across the world in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week December 8th-12th, 2025. The 2025 theme, “Children First,” is rooted in the powerful Maasai greeting, Casserian Engeri, which translates to “And how are the children?” This traditional salutation reflects the Maasai’s deep commitment to ensuring that their children are well, recognizing that the well-being of children reflects the health and future of the entire society.
In schools today, this theme challenges educators, school leaders, and communities to ask:
Are all children reaching their full potential in our schools?
Do our educational practices reflect a commitment to equity and access for every student?
How can we ensure that students with disabilities are seen, heard, and valued in every aspect of school life?
Putting Children First means prioritizing every student’s right to learn in an environment that supports their diverse needs, embraces their unique abilities, and fosters a sense of belonging. It means recognizing that when schools are designed to support students with disabilities, they become better places for all learners.
Casserian Engeri – And how are the children? This question should guide the work of educators, policymakers, and communities as they strive to build schools where every child can learn, grow, and succeed. By focusing on Children First, Inclusive Schools Week 2025 encourages schools to reflect on their practices and take meaningful steps to ensure all students feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
During this week, we will be highlighting all the wonderful inclusive practices that happen in Princeton and looking for additional opportunities to grow in this area as a district. There will be daily activities in each building, and a lot of social media activity. We are also asking everyone to wear orange, the color of inclusion, on Friday, December 12th!