By Laura Bailey
For the first time, the Bristol School District will be closed on Jan. 6, in observance of Three Kings Day, a significant holiday in many Latino communities.
The school district’s decision to observe the holiday comes as part of an ongoing effort to recognize and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of students and staff within the community. Three Kings Day, also known as El Día de los Reyes, commemorates the biblical journey of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to the newborn Jesus Christ.
Parents and community members have expressed their support for the district’s decision, saying that it helps acknowledge the cultural significance of the day.
“Three Kings Day is a major part of our family traditions, and it’s great to see the school district recognize it,” said Maria Lopez, a Bristol resident. “It means a lot that the schools are taking steps to make everyone feel included.”
The holiday, which falls on Jan. 6 each year, is especially important in Latin American countries and among Latino communities in the United States. It marks the end of the Christmas season and is traditionally celebrated with parades, feasts, and gift-giving.
The Bristol School District is not the first in the state to recognize Three Kings Day, but it is among the few. Other districts in Connecticut, including Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport, have already taken similar steps in recent years to celebrate cultural and religious diversity.
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