September is My New Year

By Sabina Manji

Did you know that a new year celebration happens every couple of months around the world? The new year many of us celebrate is the Gregorian New Year on January 1st. Lunar New Year, celebrated in China, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and other places, falls in January or February. Vikrum Samvat, or the Hindu New Year, and Nowruz, the Persian New Year, are both observed in March or April. Songkran is the Buddhist New Year and is honoured in April as well. Muslims celebrate Hijri New Year, or Islamic New Year, in July or August. And Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year, is commemorated in September.

I have always found September to be the start of a new year for me. I know it’s not official, but September’s back-to-school time brings the feel of a new year – the starting fresh, the making of resolutions, the return to schedule, the celebration of a new time. It is a time for fresh paper and pencils, maybe a new outfit or backpack, and a pause to honour a new moment in a person’s life (I know those first day of school pictures can be chaos and craziness, but they are worth is to show your child that these are important memories).

Our September issue is full of first-day vibes and new school year freshness! Check out:

“Class is Back in Session… At a New School!” (page 15) if your fresh start is even fresher (with your child beginning at a new school).
“Reducing the Stress of a New School Year” (page 17) if your whole family needs to get back into routine and make this school year a stress-free zone.
“Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow” (page 11) if you want to hear from real students (ages 7 and 9) who are going to run this world someday!
“Lunchbox Alert! Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups” (page 14) if you are a parent who hates making school lunches and needs some new ideas (if you are not a parent who hates this task, I want to meet you, your Rareness!)

We’re wishing all families a safe, calm, wonderful and memorable start to school. Happy new year!

Sabina Manji, a lifelong Londoner, is an irrepressible entrepreneur, mother of a wonderful son, and also a committed volunteer.