As states and cities across the country, especially right here in Philadelphia, prepare for the United States Semiquincentennial, Abington School District will be honoring the founding of our nation with six months of programming focused on celebration, reflection and – most importantly – education.
“ASD Celebrates the USA” will include various activities and events throughout 2026, allowing students and staff the opportunity to celebrate America’s 250th birthday – from May to November – across multiple facets of the District’s deeply rooted school community, which in itself is steeped in history.
Launching on Memorial Day and concluding during Veterans Day, ASD Celebrates the USA will span numerous patriotic holidays, all of which play important roles throughout the evolution of the United States, from 1776 until now.
ASD Celebrates the USA will be incorporated into the following events and programming:
May - June
Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day and Start of ASD Celebrates the USA
Tuesday, May 26 - Military Club Wreath-Laying at Abington Senior High and ASD Celebrates the USA Board Meeting Orientation
Ongoing throughout May and June - ASD Celebrates the USA will be infused into educational programming and events across grades K-12, including through spring concert music selections, art projects and contests, and library displays
Thursday, June 2 - Districtwide Student Achievement Awards Ceremony will include a student performance of the National Anthem and a display of Birthday Cards for America, submitted by elementary students
Wednesday, June 10 - Commencement will incorporate the spirit of America’s 250th Birthday as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s partnership with America250PA, Pennsylvania’s official commission charged with planning and coordinating the Commonwealth’s commemoration
Thursday, June 18 - First Day of Summer Recess and an opportunity for students to get started on the recommended summer reading list, which this year will have picture books, graphic novels, historical fiction and primary source deep-dives that reflect the multifaceted American experience, all chosen by our school librarians
July - August
Thursday, July 2 - America’s Semiquincentennial Birthday Party at the Abington Township Library, where students’ Birthday Cards for America will be on display
Ongoing throughout July and August - #ASDCelebratestheUSA Social Media Campaign where parents/guardians can submit photos of how their students are celebrating America’s 250th birthday all summer long, whether they are enjoying a patriotic book on the summer reading list, attending local events here in Philadelphia, sightseeing across the USA, or learning about the history of our country’s founding
Monday, August 3 - Abington Township Pre-Night Out, where ASD will have a table with 250th-themed bookmarks and stickers for students and their families
September - November
Thursday, September 17 - Constitution Day, which will have the Semiquincentennial integrated into Social Studies classroom lessons that focus on the framework of our democracy
Ongoing Throughout September and October - ASD Celebrates the USA will be infused into educational programming across grades K-12, including through a secondary-level writing contest, a civics and local government/municipal services focused Career Chatter as part of the high school’s Pathways Program, and a Valley Forge field trip for 4th graders currently studying Pennsylvania history
Thursday, October 1 - Dedication of the Ash Carter Courtyard at Abington Senior High School in memory of the proud alumnus who served as U.S. Secretary of Defense from 2015-2017 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Throughout November - In the spirit of service, a food drive will be hosted across ASD’s nine schools and the Administration Building, each with a goal of collecting 250 cans
Tuesday, November 4 - Election Day, for which the League of Women voters will host registration drives at the high school in the preceding weeks so that students who are old enough to vote are eligible to cast their ballots
Wednesday, November 11 - Veterans Day will serve as the culminating event for ASD Celebrates the USA, with plans at each school building to recognize those who served in the military across the entire school community
“Our celebration of America’s 250th birthday is interdisciplinary and serves as a great cross-section of how the story of our nation is deeply intertwined with our everyday lives today,” Dr. Jeffrey Fecher, Superintendent of Abington School District, said. “It’s more than just history; the many people who built our nation are woven into the fabric of our modern-day communities, which continue to be guided by the same principles that provided the foundation for the United States two and a half centuries ago. We look forward to celebrating the legacy of our democracy across grades K-12 in Abington Schools.”
For updates about ASD Celebrates the USA over the course of the next six months, follow Abington School District on Facebook and Instagram.