Dear CVU Community: As February 1 marks the beginning of Black History Month, I thank CVSD's DEI team members Dr. Asma Abunaib, Bageshree Blasius, and Christina Deeley for their continued efforts to shape a more equitable, inclusive, and just CVU. I share their words (and their commitment) below:
February is recognized as Black History Month, but we know that Black History is more than a month. Our CVU community is alive with Black History and Culture; it can be felt, heard, and seen in the music we listen to, the stories we read and watch when we explore local history, and most importantly, in our students and families.
CVU is committed to making sure our students are able to learn about Black History and Culture not just in February, but all year long. Our students are learning about race and identity, reading Black authors, and have access to increasingly diverse Social Studies curriculum options, including a course specifically about Black American History. All students, regardless of race, benefit from culturally responsive educational opportunities. Families can join students in this learning by accessing the plethora of resources available via the internet.
And, these are only the first steps. We recognize that we have a long way to go. When our Racial Alliance Committee student leaders raised the Black Lives Matter flag in 2019 it was a moment of celebration. Now the flag serves as a visual reminder of how much work still needs to be done.
Racist incidents in our community and around the state demonstrate that we need to participate in critical conversations, acknowledge our mistakes, and continue to reevaluate and make changes to our systems.
We at CVU commit to doing the difficult work of changing systems, teaching hard history, and recognizing Black Joy and Hope.
“This hope is our door, our portal.
Even if we never get back to normal,
Someday we can venture beyond it,
To leave the known and take the first steps.
So let us not return to what was normal,
But reach toward what is next.”
~ Amanda Gorman, excerpt from “New Day’s Lyric”
From Emily McLean: CVU art student Kassidy Jay recently received recognition for her art submissions to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Kassidy was awarded a Gold Key for her art portfolio, "Wrestling with Divinity". In addition, the following individual pieces were selected for awards: Gold Key for "The Greed of Prayer," Silver Key for "Act of Contrition," and Honorable Mention for "Tashahhud," and "Asabikeshiinh". Kassidy will have her art displayed at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center from February 18 - March 4 culminating with an awards ceremony on March 4th. Kassidy recently had the pieces from her "Wrestling with Divinity" portfolio on display in the CVU Art Gallery. Congratulations to Kassidy on her artistic achievements!
Miles Glover will be the featured soloist this Sunday, 3pm at the Flynn Theater performing the Saint Saens “Egytian” Piano Concerto. https://www.vyo.org/la-fiesta/. Listen to an interview with him, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqh2i4SWDA4
