I’m thrilled to share that our petition to have Diwali formally recognized in the Chesterfield County Public Schools calendar has officially crossed 500 signatures! This is a huge milestone — and it happened because so many of you took the time to sign, share, and speak up. Why 500 Matters Reaching 500 signatures shows the School Board that this isn’t a small request from a few families — it’s a growing, unified community voice. Every signature represents a student, a parent, an educator, or an ally saying that cultural inclusion matters, and that our school calendar should reflect the diversity of the students it serves. This milestone strengthens our message: ✨ Diwali deserves meaningful recognition in years when it falls on a school day. ✨ Chesterfield students should not have to choose between cultural celebration and classroom participation. ✨ Our community is ready for this step forward. Why We Should Keep Going The more signatures we gather, the stronger our case becomes when the School Board begins discussions for the 2026–27 calendar. Larger numbers show widespread support across neighborhoods, schools, and communities — and help demonstrate that this is not just a cultural request, but a community priority. How You Can Help Build Momentum 💛 Share the petition with friends, neighbors, and school parent groups 💛 Post it on social media 💛 Encourage families who celebrate Diwali — and allies who support inclusion — to sign 💛 Leave a comment on the petition explaining why you signed Every share is powerful. Every voice adds weight. Every signature moves us closer to meaningful change. Thank you again for standing with us. Let’s keep pushing forward — together. 🙏✨