GLA SOUTHWEST PARENT WEEKLY
"JUNE 3rd EDITION"
As educators of Black and Brown children, our mission of educating feels more relevant today than ever before. As we as educators continue to process, unpack and reflect on all that has happened over the last week, we are grateful for parents such as yourselves. Many of us are hurting, frustrated, angry, disappointed, afraid, and grieving over the most recent events in our country, but having the ability to see your scholars each day gives us the hope we need in humanity.
Whether you agree or disagree with the tactics being used to display, rebellion and revolution, let's continue to educate ourselves, lean on one another, practice self-care, push past our own discomfort and do the ongoing work needed ti be our best individual selves, for the sake of humanity and our scholars.
So as the parents of black and brown children, we want to say thank you! Thank you for the battles you are fighting, big and small, to raise up a generation of black excellence, in spite of all that is occurring. Educating children during these times can be daunting. There is no playbook or manual. Nevertheless, we recognize the need for healing and how important the role of education is in helping to combat injustice. With that in mind, we have used Harambee sessions this week as an opportunity to help scholars process. It has been encouraging to hear the perspective of our scholars and the ideas they have about how to bring about change.
We also hosted a town hall this week for parents that was absolutely amazing. We thank those of you who supported your children during our Harambee this week and participated in the discussion with them and we thank those of you who were able to join us for our town hall meeting.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Evans, CEO/Principal
Mr. Choice, Assistant Principal
Parents, if your scholar has been recommended for summer intersession, you will be notified by Wednesday June 10th.
COMING SOON: AS WE MAKE PLANS AND PREPARATIONS, FOR THE FALL, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR PARENTS WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN A FOCUS GROUP TO SHARE YOUR IDEAS/THOUGHTS WITH US ABOUT VIRTUAL LEARNING AND IDEAS FOR NEXT STEPS FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE EMAIL PRINCIPAL EVANS @ TEVANS@GA-SCHOOLS.ORG
FINAL I-READY TESTING IS TAKING PLACE THIS WEEK FOR SCHOLARS! PARENTS, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT I-READY TESTING IS A CHANCE FOR YOUR SCHOLAR TO SHOW WHAT HE/SHE KNOWS. WE ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO MIMIC TRUE TESTING CONDITIONS AND NOT OFFER SCHOLARS ASSISTANCE WITH THE EXAM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
IMPORTANT 8th GRADE UPDATES
CLOSING EXERCISES:
- All 8th grade families were sent important end-of-year update via email.
- Please note that only 8th grade scholars who have met the 75% participation criteria for 'Virtual Global' will have the opportunity to participate in all closing exercises and celebrations.
- The parents of eligible scholars were contacted this week. All ineligible scholars will be contacted in writing this week.
- Monday, June 8th
- 12:00 - 5:00p
- At GLA WEST 4601 Girard Avenue
- 8th grade scholars must return their Ipads/Chromebooks in order to participate in senior activities.
CONVERSATIONS THAT WE MUST HAVE WITH OUR CHILDREN...
Conversations That We Must Have
Why is it important to talk with children about the death of George Floyd and other incidents of police brutality or racism in the news?
Our scholars may be seeing or hearing about these highly publicized incidents via TV, radio or parents talking and may ask questions. It is important to note that if parents are upset by the news, our scholars may perceive our distress and want to know why we are upset. In either case, an age-appropriate explanation is better than silence. Starting an age appropriate conversation can give your scholars a helpful frame for understanding difficult realities. People who look like them are dying at the hands of cops and their city is being looted and or burned. If we as parents are silent, our scholars will draw their own often faulty conclusions about what is happening and why. It is helpful to have a healthy conversation around what happened and also talk about ways to cope when you witness social injustice.
How do parents start these conversations?
It is always good to allow your scholars to share their opinion and understanding before you offer information. These are hard conversations but necessary. Talk about racism and police brutality with honesty. Take ownership of your feelings and be comfortable sharing those feelings with your scholar.
If your scholar asks if a police officer is going to kill them, what do you say?
We don't want to respond in a way that is going to make our scholar be more fearful for their safety. It is very important to talk with them about law enforcement. For example, you can talk with them about how they protect rules in society such as making sure that people don't drive too fast, so they won't harm themselves or others. Providing clear examples about the ways that law enforcement helps society will allow them to better understand. You can also be honest about situations such as police brutality and how some police officers break laws. If you have a trusted officer in your community it may be good to also allow your scholar to talk with them in person to reduce their fear.
If your scholar says they are afraid or angry, what do you say?
If your scholar tells you that they are afraid or angry, that is appropriate. Don't force them to hide their emotional expression. However, be sure to help them identify ways to express their anger in a healthy manner which may include journaling or exercising to release the energy from their body.
If your scholar, ask why are people looting and burning down our community?
If your scholars want to know why their community is being destroyed. Children understand the concept of unfairness as well as the experience of frustration. Years and years of unfairness and racism results in intense anger and frustration. The conversation can then be about what we must do to fix the continuing unfairness. Talk with them about peaceful protesting and other positive ways to express these emotions.
It is important to not show your scholar these videos and limit the amount of TV exposure tha they have to this as it may increase the likelihood of them experiencing symptoms of trauma or having nightmares. What we know from research on witnessing disasters is that individuals may be at a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder even through indirect exposure to these events.
**After having these tough conversations with your scholar, be sure to end on a positive note such as ways we can rebuild and show love to our community.
Philadelphia Emotional Health and Wellbeing Hotline M-F 12noon-9pm, Sat/Sun 12-4pm. Call or text 1-833-745-4674