Virtual Pirate Ship
Drake High School's Weekly Newsletter for Spring 2020
May 18, 2020 Edition
SENIOR GRADUATION INFORMATION
Facing Racism One Act at a Time
By now, many of us are very familiar with Ahmaud Arbery being shot and killed by 2 men--one of whom is a retired police officer--who claim they were investigating a burglary. Even if we choose to put aside the details of the case, there is one main issue we cannot avoid discussing: how do our black brothers and sisters continue to die at the hands of people who claim to be protecting the broader community? You might be wondering what this has to do with Drake. After all, when was the last time you heard about a black person in our community being shot and killed?
It comes down to one simple fact: As long as each community continues to ignore how it is responsible for holding up white supremacy and institutionalized racism, then it will continue to put our black community members at risk. Maybe you would be surprised to find out that many of our POC (People of Color) folks are pulled over by various police departments across Marin; the darker their skin, the more often they are questioned by police.
In order to start tearing down the racism in our community, every individual person must act. You must commit to being anti-racist, which means you stand up and show up; do not be a bystander or a witness. Besides reading How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi, here are a few tips that you can employ today:
When your friends or family talk in an accent that mimics a person of color, stand up for the community they are making fun of by asking them why they are doing that; what do they mean to imply?
When your friends or family justify their comments or mimicking gestures, facial expressions, or accents by saying they are “only joking,” ask them why they think it’s funny to make fun of people of color.
(From @avillagescholar on Instagram) When a conversation comes up about another horrific killing of a black person, it…
“is not an invitation for non-black POC & white people to rest in inaction or talk about their own feelings”
“is not a time to ask ‘how we got here’ or ‘what has this country come to’ (it has always been here, it has always been like this)”
“is not a moment for non-black people to blame ‘Trump Country’ or tell us to ‘vote blue’ “
“is not the time to denounce an entire geographic region, which has a black population who needs resources, solidarity, and support”
Bottom line: as we continue to shelter-in-place for at least a couple more weeks, what can you read or listen to or watch to learn the history of how this country’s communities of color have been oppressed and discriminated against? Stay tuned for more suggestions, ideas, and tips. #USvsHate
Your DHS SOAR Team
(Students Organized for Anti-Racism)
The SENIOR SCOOP by Jolie Jacobs
SENIORS: Here is your latest update! It is a to-do list
Senior Graduation Email
Sent 5/18/20. Read it.
Class of 2020 T-shirt
All seniors will receive a Class of 2020 T-shirt courtesy of ASB. Please go to this google form today to select your size! Everyone will get a shirt, make sure you get the right size! DUE TODAY MONDAY 5/18 at 11:59pm
Final Transcripts:
Every senior must complete THIS google form in order to process their final transcript. Due June 1st.
Graduation Slide Deck
Reminder to send slide to Mary Chapman for graduation (details in the email sent today).
Senior Survey
You must complete the Senior Survey on Naviance by June 1st. Please see Lisa Neumaier’s emails for instructions and contact her at lneumaier@tamdistrict.org if you have any questions.
Drake's Golden Bell Winners
ASB Elections: Modeling inclusive voting
Back to School in August 2020
Wellness Update
We are now entering into our tenth week of sheltering in place! For some of us, this experience has started to feel oddly normal. We’ve set new structures and routines into our daily lives, and have gotten more accustomed to not socializing with friends, family, and community members as we normally would. For others who are dealing with a sick family member, the loss of a loved one, or the loss of income, this time continues to be particularly challenging and anxiety provoking. Across the board, there is a huge amount of unknown, which can lead to inevitable waves of various emotions for all of us.
We hope that you’ve checked out our Virtual Wellness Website, full of resources for both students and parents. Students can drop into our daily Wellness Community Zoom Room, to participate in a variety of support groups, or get support virtually one-to-one through their School Counselor or a Wellness Provider. If you have not yet explored our website or virtual services, we encourage you to do so!
As we now prepare to slowly transition to summer and out of the routines we’ve set while participating in school from a distance, we want to ensure you have what you need! We encourage you to develop plans for self-care, mental health, and well-being throughout the coming months and your Wellness Coordinators are here to help. Wellness Coordinators are offering 20-minute check-in sessions . If you’re interested in connecting with your school’s Wellness Coordinator for support on a particular issue you’re experiencing, to access a referral for outside services, or simply to discuss your self-care or air out frustrations about being stuck in your house with the same people day in and day out...whatever it is!....feel free to sign up for a slot on Calend.ly: https://calendly.com/ksouthard
As always, you’re also welcome to simply email your Wellness Coordinator for support or for a referral if that’s easier or more comfortable for you.
Katrina Southard
Wellness Coordinator
More Resources From Drake Wellness
The new Virtual TUHSD Counseling + Wellness Center website is full of resources including ways to connect with a counselor, how to access sexual health services, and parent and teen friendly resources on vaping and tobacco! You can find workshops for online learning, like the Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit, trainings for teens to become peer educators at Taking Down Tobacco, information on COVID + vaping, and support for people thinking about quitting. Make sure to check out the whole page to explore all the resources and check out the Community Zoom Rooms to chat with Wellness. Stay updated by following us on Instagram @drake.wellness
Sir Francis Drake High School
Email: lseabury@tamdistrict.org
Website: www.tamdistrict.org/drake
Location: 1327 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, San Anselmo, CA, USA
Phone: 4154538770
Twitter: @drakehighschool