![]() Nineteen adults and six students attended the People of Color Conference and Student Diversity Leadership Conference last week. Although it was virtual, it was just as powerful as it has been when the conference is in person. We poured into ourselves, soaked up the brilliance of BIPOC speakers and presenters, and reminded ourselves what equity and justice in schools looks and feels like. As we re-enter Lab and come to the end of 2020, a year filled with injustice, we are more than ready for change. We know Lab has the ability to embody the theme of the conference: to challenge self, change systems, and choose justice. Thank you for doing equity work alongside us and for committing to inclusive practice in your daily work with students.
DAC/DEI COORDINATOR UPDATE The Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) student representatives, Isabella de la Cerna, Eliza Doss, Taig Singh, and Malcolm Taylor hosted their first open forum for U-High yesterday. The purpose of this forum was to share updates with the student body about what the DAC has been doing thus far this year, and to gather input from students about pressing DEI issues. The focus of this meeting was to discuss how current events related to DEI are addressed in the classroom. The DAC Student Reps will share the notes from the forum at our next DAC meeting, Monday, December 14.
TRAUMA-INFORMED TIP This month's trauma-informed tip comes from Anti-Racist, Trauma-Informed Teaching, a website curated by The Public Good at Teachers College, Columbia University. Before you respond to or interact with students, consider the following questions when applicable:
AROUND THE SCHOOL DEI Peer Facilitators The group of thirty High School DEI Peer Facilitators have been busy facilitating many events thus far this year. They have led an advisory session and assembly for our 9th graders, they led a debrief of the Black Lives Matter Assembly in sophomore advisories and supported the sophomore retreat. They are working to design meaningful assemblies for the Juniors and Seniors in the Winter and Spring as well. In addition to their work in the high school, this group of student leaders is branching out this year. Seven students helped to lead a Middle School assembly on racial justice yesterday, and another group will help to lead a Middle School assembly on gender inclusivity in the Spring. Our student facilitators will also be facilitating sessions during a DEI third Wednesday PD in the Spring. __________ 2020 PoCC Six of our faculty members led workshops this year at PoCC. They were:
Other attendees were: Uzma Bogwani, Danielle Broadwater, Ana Campos, Meredith Dodd, Domonique Isaac, Lauryn Marinho, Joy Parham, Rebecca Reaves, Mary Toledo-Trevino, Lyneth Torres, Ruthie Williams, and Kimberly Williamson. __________ Community Watch Thursday, December 17, 5 p.m. (CST) __________
RESOURCES & TOOLS Previous newsletters have a wealth of resources to enrich, enlighten, and evolve your own knowledge and practice in your classrooms and office. Teaching about Religions as Diversity Education This article argues that "diversity and inclusion programs tend to (quite rightly) emphasize issues related to inclusion and bias on race, gender, and sexual orientation, and yet religion is a crucial part of identity for many people." Podcast diversifying the narrative of the fight for women's right to vote. Make your Zoom meetings and classes more accessible. This free utility provides speech to text transcription in real time making your classes and meetings more inclusive. Let's make it part of our daily practice to ensure we have captions on all of our Zoom meetings. Thanks to Michelle Holmes for sharing this service. This link from Teaching Tolerance provides educators with resources to help your classroom become more inclusive by reflecting on how and when holidays show up in your hallways, assemblies, and classrooms. The Story I must tell "Jingle Bells" in the Minstrel Repertoire Thanks to Larena Code for sharing this resource about the origins, narrative, and use of the song "Jingle Bells."
UPCOMING EVENTS Picture a Scientist Virtual Film Screening Through Thursday, December 10 Online event Register here to watch the feature-length documentary film Picture a Scientist, which leads viewers on a journey deep into a group of women scientists' experiences, ranging from sexual harassment to years of subtle slights. You'll receive a link to the film enabling you to watch it online at any time now through December 10. Community Watch Thursday, December 17 PoCC participants have access to the content until early January. Join us to watch one of the featured speakers from the conference and have a quick discussion afterwards.
Understanding and Preventing Youth Bullying & Peer Victimization during the Pandemic Friday, December 18 Research shows that by creating socially and emotionally supportive spaces, schools can foster a climate of inclusion and respect among both students and staff. Join us to hear Dr. Dorothy Espelage, William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of North Carolina, and gain insights around:
Pushout Book Club Thursday, January 28 Join The Institute for Anti-Racist Education in their discussion of Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique W. Morris. ![]() |