NACER
Black Lives Matter / Las vidas negras importan
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Declaración en español
June 15, 2020
Dear Northeast Vertical Team Family,
The Northeast Vertical Team recognizes that our community is hurting from the recent deaths of George Floyd and Mike Ramos, and from the systemic racism that permeates the institutions that sustain our nation. While our community was already in crisis, dealing with the current COVID-19 pandemic, the most recent events across our city, state and nation have thrust us in to further upheaval. It has surfaced long-standing trauma for many and brought up past scars of historical suffering and pain.
As a vertical team that includes a Black Principal and other Principals of color, we are personally affected. Our families, just like yours, are feeling overwhelmed, weary, and deeply saddened. We encourage you to stand firm in your resolve and commitment. Our voices and collective action have never been more needed than right now.
Every person has a responsibility to make positive change. In Northeast’s Vertical Team, our dedication to supporting our students of color, particularly our Black youth and community, is stronger than ever. The lives of our Black students matter. Our staff is committed to this mission and committed to undoing the legacies of racism in our education system. If we do not take this most important moment to live out the values and commitments in our strategic plan, we will have failed.
Finally, in this moment we are empowered to collectively create a more fair and just version of society. The recent atrocities we have all witnessed must be the catalyst for truly radical change. To our students of color, Black youth and community, please know that we see you and we support you. The Northeast Vertical Team commits to do better by all of you.
As a vertical team, our action steps are the following:
- We are committed to vertically aligning our professional learning on equity, cultural proficiency and inclusiveness for staff in every Northeast Vertical Team school.
- We are committed to having courageous conversations with our school community.
- We are committed to ongoing dialogue with all students about race.
- We are committed to providing instructional materials that represent diverse perspectives, cultures, and histories in all content areas throughout the entire school year and not just during designated months.
As much as we, the adults, sometimes struggle to make sense of what is happening, we know our students may not understand their world right now and we wanted to provide you with some resources you can use to talk with your child about the horrific news we’ve seen:
- Teaching Tolerance: Teaching About Race, Racism and Police Violence
- New York Times: An Antiracist Reading List
- Anti-Defamation League: Lessons, Table Talks, and Books:
- Table Talk: George Floyd, Racism, and Law Enforcement
- Middle School Level Lessons - 100 Race Conscious Things You Can Say to Your Child – Conversation Starters
Sincerely,
Northeast Vertical Team Schools
Principal Sterlin McGruder
Northeast ECHS
Principal Jesse De La Huerta
Dobie College Prep
Principal Raul Sanchez
Webb College Prep
Principal Gilma Sanchez
Barrington Elementary
Principal Veronica Sharp
TA Brown Elementary
Principal Ercilia Paredes
Graham Elementary
Principal Sonia Tosh
Hart Elementary
Interim Principal Julia Gomez Montalvo
Pickle Elementary
Principal Dinorah Bores
Walnut Creek Elementary
Principal Anayansi Blessum
Winn Montessori
NACER
Email: nacer@austinisd.org
Website: https://nacer.org/
Twitter: @nacernetwork