Equity Diversity & Inclusion
Bellingham Public Schools, May 2021
Summer is so close, BPS! In May’s EDI newsletter we share: some of May’s heritage and identity months, including Asian and Pacific Islander and National Mental Health Month; quick EDI reflections from BPS staff and guests, May cultural observance, and learning resources for the home and the classroom.
So much to unpack and learn about in the month of May, let's do it!
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
National Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month celebrates Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. May was chosen to commemorate the Chinese immigrants who completed the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 and the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in May 1843.
Bring Asian and Pacific Islander heritage into conversations this month. Watch We Need To Talk About Anti-Asian Hate - this film was introduced to us by the Diversity in Action club at Sehome High School, followed by a courageous conversation with student leaders. Review our blog post on anti-Asian violence and visit our references.
Join us on May 26 for an Asian Pacific American Panel to talk about heritage, history, and healing. Please check the EDI calendar for updates.
Mental Health Awareness Month
Bring mental health into your conversations today. Here are some tools to support you:
- Attend the free virtual 2021 Mental Health Synopsis. This program aims to raise awareness & reduce stigmas.
- Healthy Bodies, Healthy Body Image Lesson Plan
- YouTube: learn about Pooja Mehta and her mental health journey. She is a leader in Asian American/Pacific Islander communities advocating for the voices of marginalized groups.
Jewish American Heritage Month
The Month of May is dedicated to Jewish American History Month officially recognized in 2006 by President George W. Bush. The month of May provides a platform to recognize Jewish American Culture since they first arrived in New Amsterdam (Manhattan Island) in 1654. “For more than 360 years, American Jews have always risen to contribute to society and culture, including science, medicine, sports, business, civil rights, government, and military service,” said NMAJH (National Museum of American Jewish History) CEO, Dr. Misha Galperin. “We’re working to raise awareness about those contributions and to stem the roots of antisemitism by bringing stories of American Jewish experience to life.”
- National Museum of American Jewish History: Provides learning materials for all ages to understand and learn about Jewish Immigrants and central themes relating.
- Lesson Plans from the Jewish Women's Archive
- May 10, 1 PM: Congressional Caucus on Black Jewish Relations
- Learn about the history to bring Jewish American Heritage Month into the entire month of May.
BPS staff share about 60 seconds personal reflections on the ever-changing world.
Naomi, she/her/hers | EDI Intern
Tyler Dockins, he/him/his | Kulshan Middle School Instructional Coach
Like many families, the pandemic has given my family some time to watch a few movies together. As my family dived deep into the Disney+ catalog, I stumbled upon some old-school classics from my days as a kid with my son. One of those movies was Peter Pan, a title that now carries a disclaimer. I applaud Disney’s approach in addressing how indigenous folks were portrayed in the movie, stating clearly it’s not okay now and was not okay then. Reflecting on it, I wondered if my 5 year-old son could have the conversation about race and talk with me about those representations in the movie and why they are not okay. Was I making a mistake as a parent introducing these ideas to a kid at 5 years old? Should I not show him the movie so he isn’t introduced to those images? Parenting, like teaching, is hard. I wasn’t sure what to do. So, I decided to go for it, we would watch the movie together and talk about those moments and why they were wrong. After all, we’re talkers in my family. We will take the time to have the conversation and work it out. At the time we watched the movie, I thought I wouldn’t go much deeper than “it was wrong”, because ya know, he’s five years old. Then days later, he said “I’ve been thinking about that movie and I thought it’s not fair that Captain Hook said those bad words about the native Americans, I think they should be able to decide what they want to be called. It’s their choice.” In that moment, I thought “dang, kids are amazing. I can expect more from them if I give them some space and some time to think about tough questions.” A lot of aspects of parenting crossover to teaching, and I’ve been left wondering a lot more: What conversations should I have with my kids (both at home and in school) that I’m not having? What is the impact of lowering my expectations of what kids can do? How often am I asking them to consider voices that are left out?
May 3: The Constitution of Japan
May 5: Cinco De Mayo
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla led by Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza, who led a town of indigenous Mexicans to victory over French General Charles Latrille de Lorencez.
Henry Ford College describes the different ways we celebrate May 5 and how it compares to Mexican culture, “American celebrations of Cinco de Mayo feature parades and parties including Mariachi bands, Mexican folk music, dancing, Mexican and Mexican-American cuisine, etc. While interesting enough in Mexico, celebrations of Cinco de Mayo take place primarily in the state of Puebla, where the 1862 battle occurred.”
May 5: National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls
Hanna Harris was a 21-year-old member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe, who went missing in July 2013. Hanna's birthday was May 5 and the tragedy of her disappearance sparked the Montana Congressional Delegation to lead the way for passage of a Senate resolution declaring May 5 as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.
The REDress Project is a platform to highlight the missing women and girls and was created by Jamie Black. Black creates installations using these Red dresses to raise awareness about this cause. In an interview with American Indian Magazine Black stated that "she uses red dresses because “red is very sacred and powerful. It relates to our lifeblood and that connection between all of us.”
We can all learn more:
- Youtube Video: The REDress Project at the National Museum of the American Indian.
- The statistics on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls.
- Listen to 2020's May 5 awareness podcast.
May 4: Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking)
This event is celebrated in the Netherlands to acknowledge and pay tribute to those who passed away during WWII, they pay tribute with two minutes of silence throughout the region. Flags are lowered to half-mast but then raised in time for Liberation Day or in Dutch ‘Bevrijdingsdag’ occurring the next day on May 5. Remembrance Day is commemorated every five years in Dutch cultures celebrating freedom and the end of World War II for the Netherlands.
Fun Fact: according to the Kingdom of the Netherlands website “Following the end of the Second World War in 1945, when Canada had liberated the Netherlands, Princess Juliana presented Canada with 100,000 tulip bulbs as a gesture of gratitude. Since then, the tulip has become a symbol to represent the friendship between the Netherlands and Canada.”
May 9: Isra and Mi’raj
A Muslim philosopher named Syed Abul A'la Maududi was an Islamic philosopher who explains Isra and Miraj as the two parts of a miraculous journey that the prophet Muhammad took. Isra is an Arabic word that describes the site of Surah-Al-Israa in Jerusalem where the Prophet Muhammad then went to Mi’raj or his ascension into heaven. This journey is best described as a physical and spiritual journey and marks a significant event in Muslim faiths.
- Learn about different Muslim (Salat) prayer times
- Learning how to be patient during adverse times from the Quran
May 22: Harvey Milk Day
Harvey Milk was a human rights leader in the United States, winning a seat in the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. He advocated for a wide range of human rights and environmental protections. As an openly gay leader, he helped pass a gay rights ordinance for the city of San Francisco that prohibited anti-gay discrimination in housing and employment. He is remembered for his work on equality.
“All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.” - Harvey Milk
How do we bring Harvey Milk's legacy into our conversations?
- Learn more at the Milk Foundation
- Celebrate Harvey’s legacy by flying a rainbow or peace/freedom flag
- Read Milks Speech “Hope”
May 31: Memorial Day
On this day we take the time to observe and honor the individuals who died for the United States of America by their service in the US Armed Forces. This event dates back to the Civil War in 1868.
"May we never forget freedom isn't free." - Unknown
Living Room Conversations: Hope
In this highlight, Living Room Conversations offers a conversation guide on hope: "Instead of resigning ourselves to our current situations, we can dream and build new possibilities. This is hope in action. In this way, hope is an energy source that resides in each of us. It is a type of knowing beyond the five senses of touch, smell, sight, hearing, and taste. When we hold hope in our hearts and minds–when we hold the vision or dream of something new, better and more life-giving–we are compelled to move toward it. We have a choice: to keep hope alive or to give in to doubt and let hope fade away, calling it a waste of time, useless daydreaming and overly optimistic thinking."
The conversation guide includes introductions, agreements, and 3 rounds of questions for the home or the classroom.
Titus Kaphar: Can art amend history?
A Pathway to Equitable Math Instruction
The math equity toolkit offers educators resources for diversifying curriculum in the areas of math and logical thinking.
More training and workshops are available on the EDI calendar, including:
Wayfinding in the Pasifika | May 12: Join Samoan storytelle, Kiana Fuega, to learn about the amazing technologies used in Oceania cultures to navigate vast bodies of water. Hosted by the Burke Museum.
Harriet Tubman & Maryland's Underground Railroad Livestream Tour | May 16: This is a livestream version of the full-day tour, highlighting Harriet Tubman's life and features sites in Maryland associated with her.
Please check out the EDI calendar for more information and events to increase our collective understanding and enhance our community relationships.
May 18, 3:30 PM: Raising Ryan: Living with Autism author Kimberly Reeves
Educators and parents: Prepare for this inspirational presentation by reviewing:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://bellinghamschools.zoom.us/j/85081416779?pwd=MkZsT1NlVXVyOC91NkUwZG5VSE5hdz09
Passcode: 524791
May 21, 11:00 AM: Students Leading Change Conference
Educators and parents: Prepare for this powerful conference by students and for students by reviewing:
May 26, 3-5 PM Asian Pacific Islander Panel
Join Zoom Meeting
https://bellinghamschools.zoom.us/j/88954897627?pwd=eDNyZFpsZ1NGdzNISEZsRDlhaXp3UT09
Passcode: 923784
Educators and parents: Prepare for this conversation by viewing:
Partnering with families, Bellingham Public Schools will develop a space for sharing and celebration. Families are invited to submit suggestions, videos, photos, and descriptions of celebrations and stories to janis.velasquezfarmer@bellinghamschools.org. Check the EDI blog for community responses.
Each month, we will highlight nationally recognized heritage months and other days of identity, celebration, and remembrance with narratives, links to local events, good reads, exhibits and more.
Policies and practices
Depending on the holiday, family traditions and beliefs, some students or staff may miss school or class to observe a holiday. Please refence Policy 3122 and Policy 5409.
- Holidays may have an element of fasting and/or late-night events. We ask staff to make reasonable accommodations to support staff and colleagues.
- We also ask staff and PTAs, including coaches/advisors to try to avoid high holidays for events and exams, whenever possible, in accordance with 2340P.