Dear Skinner North Community,
Thank you to everyone who participated in our anti-racism and social justice virtual workshops for adults held throughout the summer. In response to your collective desire to impact positive change in our school community, what began as a couple sessions guided by Single Story (our Diversity Integration consultant team) flourished into a collection of 8 sessions altogether (scroll down for details and resources), PLUS a virtual game night in support of black-owned restaurants. Participants on each call were thoughtful and engaged and contributed to vibrant discussions.
Our work is not done.
Our school and others across the country are increasingly putting race and racism back into the curriculum from which it had been erased. Because some of us have not had a chance to grapple with these topics in our formative years, we may feel ill-equipped to support our kids in their learning. As a Diversity Committee, our goal in this work continues to be supporting parents, caregivers, and other family members in preparing our kids to better understand the world around them and to become members of a diverse, global community.
We invite you to help shape the work that we accomplish together. Skinner North is working towards forming a SEED cohort (made up of teachers, staff, parents, and caregivers) for our community. SEED, which stands for Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity, is a series of facilitated, monthly seminars designed to help participants create, develop, and implement strategies that foster respect for all people. In addition to the SEED cohort, the Diversity Committee is re-envisioning this year’s International Festival in virtual form. Volunteers are welcome and encouraged to help plan the event! Finally, we are seeking your help to support our school in making progress on its Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Plan.
Let's come together to analyze the type of school community we are cultivating, in regards to race and antiracism, and set growth goals that push beyond a focus on our best intent and, instead, think critically about #whatisyourimpact.
Many thanks to all the parents and caregivers who already have reached out to offer their ideas and support. If you would like to be involved in these efforts or have other suggestions, sign up here to join the Diversity Committee (and receive Zoom links for monthly meetings). Mark your calendar for the next Diversity Committee Meeting on Wed, 10/7 at 8:30am. Also, please feel free to contact us at sndiversity@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Your Skinner North Diversity Committee
A recap of the Diversity Committee Summer Workshop Series…
Session 1: What is Happening?
Together, we processed our thoughts and feelings about what is going on in America as it relates to race and racism.
Facilitators: Single Story, the Diversity Integration Consultants who supported our staff throughout the previous academic year
Session 2: How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism
We unpacked how caregivers talk to their children about race and racism and explored best practices to guide future conversation with our children.
Workshop Slides
Additional Resources Compiled by Single Story
Facilitators: Single Story
Session 3: White Fragility
We viewed the 1-hour webinar on White Fragility (based on Robin DiAngelo's best-selling book). We unpacked the concept together and processed our thoughts about it.
Session 4: Beyond Black & White: Asian-Americans and Racial Justice
We learned about and discussed Asian-American experiences in the United States and the relationship of the Asian-American community to the current movement for racial justice.
Workshop Presentation
Facilitators: Tuyet Le and Esther Hurh
Session 5: Interactive Follow Up Workshop: Asian-Americans and Racial Justice
We analyzed Problematic Statements (intersecting with anti-Black racism) and debunked myths heard in Asian-American and other communities.
Sessions 6, 7, & 8: Book Club Meetings
We read and discussed Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, a remix by Jason Reynolds of the National Book Award winning book by Ibram X. Kendi. Our Skinner North teachers read the book in a parallel book club, and our upper grade kids will read it this fall in their respective classrooms.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our anti-racism and social justice virtual workshops for adults held throughout the summer. In response to your collective desire to impact positive change in our school community, what began as a couple sessions guided by Single Story (our Diversity Integration consultant team) flourished into a collection of 8 sessions altogether (scroll down for details and resources), PLUS a virtual game night in support of black-owned restaurants. Participants on each call were thoughtful and engaged and contributed to vibrant discussions.
Our work is not done.
Our school and others across the country are increasingly putting race and racism back into the curriculum from which it had been erased. Because some of us have not had a chance to grapple with these topics in our formative years, we may feel ill-equipped to support our kids in their learning. As a Diversity Committee, our goal in this work continues to be supporting parents, caregivers, and other family members in preparing our kids to better understand the world around them and to become members of a diverse, global community.
We invite you to help shape the work that we accomplish together. Skinner North is working towards forming a SEED cohort (made up of teachers, staff, parents, and caregivers) for our community. SEED, which stands for Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity, is a series of facilitated, monthly seminars designed to help participants create, develop, and implement strategies that foster respect for all people. In addition to the SEED cohort, the Diversity Committee is re-envisioning this year’s International Festival in virtual form. Volunteers are welcome and encouraged to help plan the event! Finally, we are seeking your help to support our school in making progress on its Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Plan.
Let's come together to analyze the type of school community we are cultivating, in regards to race and antiracism, and set growth goals that push beyond a focus on our best intent and, instead, think critically about #whatisyourimpact.
Many thanks to all the parents and caregivers who already have reached out to offer their ideas and support. If you would like to be involved in these efforts or have other suggestions, sign up here to join the Diversity Committee (and receive Zoom links for monthly meetings). Mark your calendar for the next Diversity Committee Meeting on Wed, 10/7 at 8:30am. Also, please feel free to contact us at sndiversity@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Your Skinner North Diversity Committee
A recap of the Diversity Committee Summer Workshop Series…
Session 1: What is Happening?
Together, we processed our thoughts and feelings about what is going on in America as it relates to race and racism.
Facilitators: Single Story, the Diversity Integration Consultants who supported our staff throughout the previous academic year
Session 2: How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism
We unpacked how caregivers talk to their children about race and racism and explored best practices to guide future conversation with our children.
Workshop Slides
Additional Resources Compiled by Single Story
Facilitators: Single Story
Session 3: White Fragility
We viewed the 1-hour webinar on White Fragility (based on Robin DiAngelo's best-selling book). We unpacked the concept together and processed our thoughts about it.
Session 4: Beyond Black & White: Asian-Americans and Racial Justice
We learned about and discussed Asian-American experiences in the United States and the relationship of the Asian-American community to the current movement for racial justice.
Workshop Presentation
Facilitators: Tuyet Le and Esther Hurh
Session 5: Interactive Follow Up Workshop: Asian-Americans and Racial Justice
We analyzed Problematic Statements (intersecting with anti-Black racism) and debunked myths heard in Asian-American and other communities.
Sessions 6, 7, & 8: Book Club Meetings
We read and discussed Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, a remix by Jason Reynolds of the National Book Award winning book by Ibram X. Kendi. Our Skinner North teachers read the book in a parallel book club, and our upper grade kids will read it this fall in their respective classrooms.
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