SBLSD Equity Advisory Council
TBD
Message from your DoE
Dear EAC Members,
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, wrote, " Real education means to inspire people to live more abundantly, to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better."
As I read this quote, I couldn't help but be reminded of the work we have been doing as a team. It also made me realize that the work towards equity supports the practice of making life better than the way I have previously lived it.
So as you explore and learn from this newsletter, keep this quote in mind and ask yourself, "how will I use my new learned knowledge to live out the quote above from Dr. Woodson.?"
From the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)
2023 Theme: Black Resistance
"Black people have had to consistently push the United States to live up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all. Systematic oppression has sought to negate much of the dreams of our griots, like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, and our freedom fighters, like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Septima Clark, and Fannie Lou Hamer fought to realize." -ASALH
Learn More Here.
Carter G. Woodson "The Father of Black History"
"It was Carter G. Woodson, the "father of Black history," who first set out in 1926 to designate a time to promote and educate people about Black history and culture, according to W. Marvin Dulaney. He is a historian and the president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History" -NPR 2022
Learn more here. This is the story of Carter G. Woodson and the formation of Black History Month.
Carter G. Woodson via Video/Audio
The Do's and Don'ts for teaching Black History
Here is an article from Learning for Justice that explains the Do's and Don'ts when teaching Black History.
Teacher Resources for Black History Month
In Alignment with this year's theme, Black Resistance, I have put together a few resources for teachers to explore.
- Who is Claudette Colvin? Click here for lesson plan. (K-5)
- The Poet's Voice: Langston Hughes and You. Click here for lesson plan. (6-8)
- Shirley Chisholm: Unbought, Unbossed, Unforgotten. Click here for lesson plan. (9-12)
- National Education Association: Lesson Plans K-12. Click here to explore more lesson plans.
- Explore resources from the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Click here to begin your learning.
Can Kids Change the World? Black History Month for Kids by Scholastic
A Resource Guide for Parents Teaching their Kids Black History
"For parents of mixed race or transracially adopted children, you must do your homework. You are your child’s first teacher, so educate yourself about your child’s cultural history. Stoke your child’s curiosity about their place in the world and their ancestor’s role in the establishment of this country. Young children believe what their parents tell them so take advantage of their eagerness to learn and show them how to appreciate differences." PBS Kids for Parents
Click here for more information.
Beyond the Books!
Below are resources to support Black-owned Businesses in our area.
- Tacoma Urban League- Black-owned Business Directory
- Yelp- Top 10 Best Black-owned Businesses in Tacoma
- Support Black Owned (SBO)- Directory
- King 5- Directory of Black-owned Businesses in WA
Black History Month in Pierce County
Learn and celebrate Black History Month! Click here to view the different events happening around Pierce County.
We're ALL in!
EAC Workgroup: Retention & Recruitment
- The group met on January 12th and continued the discussion on ways to retain and recruit staff. Some of topics included interview questions, bias pd for interview processes, interview systems, etc. Next meeting is TBD.
EAC Workgroup: Curriculum
- Workgroup met on January 18, 2023. Next steps is to review the rubrics used during the adoption process. Next meeting will be held on February 15, 2023 from 4:30pm - 5:30pm via Zoom.
EAC Workgroup: Discipline
- Next meeting will be on February 2, 2023 via Zoom.
EAC Workgroup: Staff Professional Development
- During the December meeting, the group had an in-depth conversation about how to revisit content regularly. Other discussion topics included: brave spaces vs. safe spaces, relevant PD to staff, GLAD/SIOP training, and in-person book studies related to equity. Next meeting is TBD.
EAC Workgroup: Community Celebrations
- Next meeting will be on February 22, 2023 from 5:30pm - 6:30pm at Central Office Board Room.
**If you would like to be a part of a workgroup, please feel free to email me to let me know which committee you would like to join.**
Next EAC Meeting March 1, 2023
Time: 5:15pm - 6:45pm
Place: Central Office Board Room
Director of Equity, SBLSD
Email: joshua_agpalza@sumnersd.org
Website: https://www.sumnersd.org/domain/1634
Location: 1202 Wood Avenue, Sumner, WA, USA
Phone: (253) 891-6000