The Knights Roundtable
January 2021 V5
Dear Families,
The Knights Roundtable is the Diversity, Equity, and Unity newsletter created for DJO students, family, and community. Each month will center around a theme. The initiative on Diversity, Equity, and Unity is key to the ability of Bishop O'Connell to fulfill its mission and to have a positive effect on society. This fact has been evident in the past year as our nation has faced a series of incidents, tragedies, and challenges that have had a profound effect on us. As we struggled to learn, to lament, to heal, ask hard questions, and to acquire wisdom, we came together as students, alumni, parents, faculty, and administration in efforts to implement change. Sit back, grab a snack, and enjoy reading about current events, student stories, and how to be involved in making O'Connell a place that all students feel proud to say, we are family. GO, KNIGHTS!
A Prayer for Peace
Coach Owens has shared with the O’Connell faculty and staff A Prayer for Peace. We want to share this prayer with the entire O’Connell community as we find ourselves in difficult times.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WKk3Aj4PonGquAnqe8Kz0qARWrEDspXXSiB-d7xSAZM/edit?usp=sharing
Letter from Mrs. Davis
These times call upon every Catholic person and institution to take inventory of where the blessings of diversity and where the sin of racism lie. DJO embraces the opportunity to share its journey.
We know that there is still work to be done, including an evaluation of how the curriculum confronts racism, encourages unity/growth, and outreach to former graduates who have been wounded by an experience of racism at Bishop O’Connell.
As we move forward, it is important that we listen and engage the broader Bishop O’Connell Family by encouraging them to share their stories and ideas. In this way, we're working together to create something bigger together.
Let us be energized by the words of St. Augustine:
“Make progress, my friends, examine yourselves honestly again and again. Put yourself to the test. Do not be content with what you are, if you want to become what you are not yet. For where you have grown pleased with yourself, there you will remain… Always add something more, keep moving forward, always make progress.”
St. Augustine of Hippo
Sermon 169, 15,18
Here are a Collection of Resources that We Think Would be Helpful in Processing the Recent Events
A Conversation about Race with Damon Clark
A popular Catholic speaker known for his work on marriage, family, and theology of the body challenges conservative Catholics to learn more about the history of racism and what they can do to confront it today.
Talking to Children After Racial Incidents
Dr. Howard Stevenson is the Constance Clayton Professor of Urban Education, Professor of Africana Studies, in the Human Development & Quantitative Methods Division of the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Stevenson is Executive Director of the Racial Empowerment Collaborative (REC), a research, program development, and training center that brings together community leaders, researchers, authority figures, families, and youth to study and promote racial literacy and health in schools and neighborhoods.
In the Image and Likeness of God (National Catholic Education Association Parent Newsletter)
Video- Racism in our Streets and Structures: A test of Faith a Crisis for our Nation (Georgetown University)
Movie of the Week
Hidden Figures (2016)
The story of three black women in finding their importance within the scientific field.
Fellowship/ Scholarships
It is with great pleasure to present to you the Northern Virginia Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. 2020-2021 Oratorical Scholarship Competition Opportunity.
This year's theme is, "Atmospheric Pressure And The Social Normality Of Today" We are inviting 12th-grade students of African-descent to apply for these scholarships. This is our fifth annual oratorical competition and we encourage students to apply male or female for the chance to become one of the recipients of our scholarships. We would like every student who qualifies to take advantage of this opportunity. The submission deadline is Friday, January 22, 2021. If selected contestants will be notified no later than Friday, February 5th, 2021.
Students are asked, in 500-525 words, to use the writing prompts that are in the enclosed application, to stimulate their writing prose for the oratorical competition. Essays may be written as a poem, spoken word, rap, or speech. If selected, applicants will perform their original writing on Saturday, February 27, 2021, via Zoom. Registration information will be shared at a later date.
Please see the links below
Resilience Through Diversity ScholarshipDr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“I have the personal faith that mankind will somehow rise up to the occasion and give new directions to an age drifting rapidly to its doom. In spite of the tensions and uncertainties of this period something profoundly meaningful is taking place...Here and there an individual or group dares to love and rises to the majestic heights of moral maturity. So in a real sense, this is a great time to be alive.” MLK The Quest for Justice Nobel Lecture Dec. 11, 1964
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eklVqcp8_pWcWr7D8pOGTFvaR7jZZl_DCUhwfbggDFA/edit?usp=sharing
Martin Luther King Day of Service Ideas
Dear Students,
Life’s most persistent & urgent question is,
“what are you doing for others?” Martin Luther King, Jr.
This Monday, as you enjoy the federal and school holiday to celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr., do not forget its meaning. Dr. King worked tirelessly -- speaking, teaching, writing, organizing, protesting, and advocating -- for equal justice under the law and for racial reconciliation among all people. Our government gives us this day-off from work and school, not for leisure, but as a “national day of service” to honor Dr. King’s legacy. Christian Services and the DEU would like to work together carrying out acts of service. Please refer to the list below for ways you can serve. Feel free to share photos with Dr. Coolidge or Mrs. Davis.
HERE ARE SOME IDEAS FOR HOW YOU CAN SERVE:
Making cards to take to a local senior center, or for Hospital Heroes
Book Drive to take to a local children's hospital
Letters to servicemen and women overseas thanking them for their service
Contribute to our DJO student Peace Mural -- See link here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kd_oSvBeRCgruUdezX5yh7npkhH3QBUxJ9YBV44OHHg/edit
Make a meal for a neighbor/friend in need
Run errands for a shut-in neighbor
Yardwork, tutoring
Trash clean-up in your community
9. An AmeriCorps virtual program (Cost $10)
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/wdcfy2mlda/event/823837/
10. Join DC group, Little Friends for Peace (virtually) on Monday (2:00 - 3:30) for a MLK
program http://www.lffp.org
*Log your Christian Service Hours on MobileServe(freshmen only) or x2vol!
Thank you for advancing the Beloved Community!
Dr. Coolidge - Christian Service Coordinator
Mrs. Davis- DEU Director
Did you miss the last newsletters?
Care to Share, We'd love to hear from you!
Email: bdavis@bishopoconnell.org
Website: bishopoconnell.org
Location: 6600 Little Falls Road, Arlington, VA, USA
Phone: 703-237-1400
Twitter: @DjoDiversity