Message from CSD Superintendent
Cambrian School District, June 3, 2020
Dear Cambrian Families,
The death of George Floyd and subsequent unrest across the country and around the world turns our attention, once again, to a pervasive issue that poses a specific threat to Black Americans and communities of color. The horrific events of racial injustice leave me heartbroken. We must actively work together to build a more just society, where no one is above the law and where each of us is treated with the dignity that is our birthright. Our peaceful presence and our passionate loud voices standing up for equality make this visible. It is part of the change that is needed. We must continue to work to learn and listen across lines of difference and to build a community grounded in trust and respect. We must continue to equip our students and our community with the understanding and insight needed to create a better world.
My thoughts go out to the family of George Floyd and to all those who are hurting. At this point, it is on all of us to reflect on our own actions, examine our influence and implore friends, neighbors and our families to challenge racial injustice.
Given all the information available in the media, it can be a fearful time for our children if there is not a conversation. I'm sure that the news reports have left some of our students worried, anxious or confused. That is completely understandable. The role we play as parents and educators is vital at times like this. That said, I wanted to provide valuable resources to families on how to support your children regarding the current state of racial unrest in America.
We've gathered articles and lists of media recommendations, listed below, to help spark important conversations. I am hopeful that these resources can help with a conversation with your children and give them an age-appropriate context. I invite you to review the resources below and, more importantly, to engage in both dialogue and action as we work for a more equitable society.
Resources
SESAME STREET TOWN HALL
For our younger students you may want to consider watching a special program with your child. CNN and "Sesame Street" are holding a town hall meeting to address racism. The 60-minute special "Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism. A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Families" will air on Saturday, June 6, at 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT). Parents can send in their questions below, along with their full names and phone numbers. Click here if you'd like to send in a question for the program.
SELF-CARE
Self-care in the face of racial injustice from Therapy for Black Girls
4 Self-Care resources for days when the world is terrible from Colorlines
Self-care for people of color after psychological trauma from Just Jasmine
Black Lives Matter Meditations for Healing from Racial Trauma from Dr. Candice Nicole
CALL TO ACTION
Follow Arizona-based Poder In Action on Twitter or Instagram for ways to organize and take action locally.
Connect with a local chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice
Review Active Bystander Training from the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at the Ohio State University
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice from Medium
YOUTH ACADEMIC, BEHAVIOR, AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS
PBIS Cultural Responsiveness Field Guide: Resources for Trainers and Coaches
The Trevor Project: Supporting Black LGBTQ Youth Mental Health
Recorded PBIS Webinar facilitated by Dr. Josh Harrower: Addressing Equity (through PBIS)
“Race and Violence Should Be a School-Wide Subject” - Contains resources for school leaders to help develop a community-driven message and a model for discussing race and violence.
Don’t Discipline Hangry (article)
“Teaching Young Children About Bias, Diversity, and Social Justice” - helps teach the understanding of differences and social justice through literature, news stories, anti-bias lessons and problem-solving
“5 Keys to Challenging Implicit Bias”- guides teachers how to look at and challenge implicit biases in themselves, their colleagues and their schools.
“How Does Race Affect a Student's Math Education?” - Dives into a recent study that shows adults “are perpetuating racism in schools” in a way that is shaping students’ interactions and expectations with math
“Diversity and Bias Lesson Plans” - K-12 lesson and unit plans for educators that promote critical thinking through the lens of diversity and bias
“Curriculum for White Americans to Educate Themselves on Race and Racism — from Ferguson to Charleston” -, this curated list inspired by the Charleston Syllabus of resources is for those who want to learn more from perspectives “often underrepresented among many white circles.”
“First Encounters With Race and Racism: Teaching Ideas for Classroom Conversations”- A lesson plan from Jinnie Spiegler, the director of curriculum at the Anti-Defamation League.
The Urgent Need for Anti-Racist Education from Education Week
Resources for Talking About Race, Racism, Racialized Violence with Kids from the Center for Racial Justice in Education.
Teaching About Race, Racism, and Police Violence from Teaching Tolerance
Why Teaching Black Lives Matter Matters | Part I | from Teaching Tolerance
Teaching Resources for Black Lives Matter School Week of Action from D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice
Addressing Race and Trauma in the Classroom by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
PROFESSIONAL READING
For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood... and the Rest of Y'all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education (Race, Education, and Democracy) by Chris Emdin
Merging real stories with theory, research, and practice, a prominent scholar offers a new approach to teaching and learning for every stakeholder in urban education
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Tatum
Helps dissect the dynamics of race in America.
Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School by Carla Shalaby
First hand look at school, through the eyes of those that are labeled a problem.
A Search Past Silence: The Literacy of Young Black Men by David Kirkland
A call to action, to listen to the voices of Black youth and reimagine being literate in a multicultural, democratic society.
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
Looks at counterproductive reactions of white people when discussing racism
Teaching for Black Lives by Dyan Watson, Jesse Hagopian and Wayne Au
A look into how we understand race in K-12 classrooms
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
A perspective about the country’s redesign of a racial caste.
LEARN MORE
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
A look at a specific instance of police brutality from the perspectives of two high school classmates
Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Méndez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh
Almost 10 years before Brown v. Board of Education, Sylvia Méndez and her parents helped end school segregation in California
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Parent: How to Teach Your Kids to Fight Hate: An Age-by-Age Guide (parents.com)
Ten Quick Ways To Analyze Children's Books For Sexism And Racism
Teachers Must Hold Themselves Accountable for Dismantling Racial Oppression
31 Children's books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance
WEBSITES:
Affirming Black Lives Without Inducing Trauma from Teaching Tolerance
What Matters from Black Lives Matter
Coverage of Criminal Justice on Colorlines
Let’s Talk! Discussing Whiteness from Teaching Tolerance
Anti-racism for White People: White People, You Gotta Do Work Now from Awesomely Luvvie
CAMBRIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Email: foremand@cambriansd.com
Website: www.cambriansd.org
Location: 4115 Jacksol Drive, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: (408) 377-2103
Facebook: facebook.com/CambrianSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @Supt_Andrews