SHINE! PPS Office of DEI Newsletter
Showing How Inclusivity Nurtures Equity (Vol IV 11.4.21)
From the Director's Desk
National American Indian & Alaska Native Heritage Month
International Men's Day
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Diwali
Beginning of Hanukkah
School Psychologists Week 11/8-12
In this issue, we have educational resources about Native American Indian (Indigenous) & Alaska Native Heritage Month. We recognize our newsletter's top sharers and we announce the Equity Leads who will serve on our division's Inagural Equity Taskforce. Our employee spotlight in this issue is on Mrs. Lisa Thompson, an author, and educator at Churchland Primary and Intermediate ES.
Next week, November 8-12 is National School Psychology Week. The theme this year is "Let's Get in Gear." GEAR is an acronym that means to provide a challenge to grow both personally and professionally. It encourages us to engage in best practices to advocate for children's access to mental health and learning supports. To rise implies resilience and renewal despite the challenges of the past. In our next issue, we will recognize and celebrate Mr. Tom Byrnes and his team for all of the support and guidance that they provide for our division.
If your school/department is doing innovative things that you would like to share please contact me.
Recognize, Accept, and Celebrate Diversity!
Dr. "PC"
Follow us on Twitter @PPSOfficeofDEI
Resource
LAST ISSUE'S TOP SHARERS
Mr. Shawn Millaci, Churchland High School (201 views)
Mr. Paul Wilson, Churchland Middle School (123 views)
Mr. Tom Byrnes, School Psychologists & Mrs. Garyn Moody, Lakeview ES (115 views)
Mrs. Rosalyn Exum, Churchland Primary & Intermediate (61 views) 2nd week
Ms. Lois Rieckhoff, Olive Branch Preschool (41 views)
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING!
WHO WILL BE ON THE LEADERBOARD FOR THIS ISSUE?
PPS Equity Taskforce...Introducing Your Equity Leads
Resilient & Enduring: We Are Native People
This month the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion celebrates the rich culture and heritage of Americans who deeply shaped the character of our Nation. The 2021 theme for American Indian and Alaska Native Month is "Resilient & Enduring: We Are Native People". In May 1914, the first American Indian Day was celebrated in New York. A member of the Blackfeet Nation, the Reverand Red Fox James rode 4,000 miles across our nation on horseback seeking approval from 24 state governments to have a day to honor Indigenous Peoples of America. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a congressional resolution designating the month of November as "National American Indian Heritage Month." Every year similar proclamations have been issued to recognize what we now call "American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month."
Did you know?
- There were 324 distinct, federally recognized American Indian reservations in 2020, including federal reservations and off-reservation trust land.
- In 2019, there were 142,972 American Indian and Alaska Native veterans of the U.S. armed forces.
- The projected American Indian and Alaska Native population alone or in combination with other race groups on July 1, 2060, will be 10.1 million. They would constitute 2.5% of the total U.S. population.
- In 2020, there were 574 federally recognized Indian tribes.
- In 1924, Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act extending citizenship to all U.S.-born American Indians not already covered by treaty or other federal agreements that granted such status. The act was later amended to include Alaska Natives.
Resources
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
As the woof goes to and fro.
Humble hopes, and joys, and care.
While I watch the pattern grow
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
Native American Heroes by Dawn Quigley
PPS Office of DEI Spotlight
Lisa Thompson, M.Ed.
Educator & Author
Churchland Primary & Intermediate ES
PPS Office of DEI Spotlight: Meet Mrs. Lisa Thompson
What inspired you to become an author? I became an author because I love to introduce children to rich literature. I like to help them navigate the world of reading through their imagination and love of books.
Your book "I Miss My Teacher" was written during the pandemic, what prompted you to write this story? During March 2020 while teaching virtually, a common theme kept occurring every time I would meet with my students. They kept telling me, "I miss you, Mrs. Thompson." They would reminisce about the things they missed about the classroom. The idea was created from a social-emotional need to connect with students.
What do you love most about working in PPS? I love the resilience of the students. They have transitioned a lot from these past two years adjusting from the COVID epidemic. Their gentle spirits, brilliance, innocence, and wanted to learn to inspire me to teach.
Mrs. Thompson's children's book "I Miss My Teacher", captures the essence and importance of the teacher-student relationship. The book is colorful and has poignant illustrations showcasing diversity. It can help students navigate and process their feelings during these challenging times. For more information about this book, visit https://www.missingmyteacher.com/.
PPS Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Email: janeen.campbell@portsk12.com
Website: https://www.ppsk12.us/about_pps/departments/departments_a-f/diversity__equity_and_inclusion
Phone: (757)393-8728
Twitter: @PPSOfficeofDEI