Bulldog Weekly Update
October 11 - 14
Tuesday Temptation
Hispanic Heritage Month Ends 10-15-22
Indigenous People's Day Is Not About Christopher Columbus
4,000 Indigenous Languages Still Spoken Today
Notes from the Principal's Desk
Today, Indigenous People's Day is a federal holiday in the US, dedicated to recognizing the cultures and histories of the original people of this country. Indigenous populations have long suffered under the tyranny of colonization, and under the subjugation of violent parties who sought to own and occupy land which did not belong to them, as well as extract and monetize it's natural resources, often at the expense of free and forced labor imposed on the oppressed population. The Mayas of Guatemala, the Inuits of the Arctic Circle, and the Aborigines of Australia name a few of the indigenous peoples whose people and cultures face(d) extinction.
It is timely that Indigenous People's Day falls within the window of Hispanic Heritage Month, which will end on October 15th, 2022. In late fall of 1492 Cristoforo Colombo (Christopher Columbus/Cristóbal Colón), an Italian explorer sponsored by Catholic Spanish Monarchs, voyaged to the caribbean and landed on a island he named "la isla Española" or the Island of Spain (Spanish Island) which was later Anglicized as "Hispaniola." According to Britannica historic records, Colombo's discovery provided a prime advantage for Spain to take over control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Panama, and Northern South America. At the time, Columbus thought he had landed in Asian, identifying the lands he came across as mainland China and Japan.
In our present day, most of Hispaniola is known as the Dominican Republic (DR). DR shares a border with the country of Haiti. Some 300 years later, in January of 1804, Haiti would become among the very first independent nations, thanks in large part to the efforts of General Toussaint Louverture, who led the Haitian revolution. Haiti's share of the entire island comparable to DR is smaller, (roughly 10.5 sq mi to 18.5 sq mi) but the people's relentless fight for independence and freedom from slavery against the French won them global regard. The recognition of the Haitian people as possessing an unconquerable spirit remains true in 2022, nearly 220 years later.
One's identity today has irrevocable ties to the past. This is particularly true for indigenous people who, through colonization and forced occupation, have lost their names, their ways of knowing one another, and of being recognized. The US Census Bureau states that the government's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) identifies "Hispanic or Latino together as anyone of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or Spanish culture, regardless of their race." These designations do not always fit how the people to whom they are applied self-identify. National Geographic writes that the history of the use of the word Hispanic and Latin American, or Latino, are complicated--and not interchangeable--terms. "Hispanic" comes from the Latin term for "Spanish," Hispanicus; the ancient Romans called the Iberian Peninsula Hispania." In the US, Hispano- is currently used to describe anyone descended from Spain--but Spain once had 35 different colonies started across the world--some of which it still maintains today. "Spanish descent" does not provide a clear enough reflection of the history of colonization that impacted the West Indies and neighboring countries. Spanish, as a language, is the mother tongue of 20 distinct countries. It is spoken by more people worldwide than English. And it's widespread reach, like that of the English language, is a byproduct of colonization.
The length and content of this piece is designed to support our school's efforts achieve two goals: 1) to ensure that we are operating to the highest degree possible with Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices (CLSP) at the forefront for all students and 2) that we take advantage of learning opportunities as they arise throughout this year to educate our students on the realities of American and World history. To create space for honest, thoughtful discussion also allows us to honor the past, to tell our history with integrity, and to connect it to the present in ways that support students' cultivation of self and complete integration into our school and it's community.
5th Grade paints kindness stones for the SEL Friday in ELA
"Kindness Rocks!" Theme Supports SEL Friday for 5th Grade
Progress Reports are Due This Week!
Week at a Glance
Monday, 10/10 - No School
Tuesday 10/11
- Student Support Mtg 8:30
- Content CPT
Wednesday 10/12
- Climate and Culture Will Not Meet Until 10/26
- Admin CPT (Social Workers)
Thursday 10/13
- School Picture Day
- Cross Country Meet 4:30
- Curriculum & Instruction Meeting
- Walk/Run Club After School
- Swag Friday- Wear your bulldog gear and or College Jerseys or Alma Maters.
ILT Updates
Next Team meeting - 10/19
Check in with your grade-level team representatives for more information. Meetings take place every other Wednesday. ILT content is shared by grade representatives on the team at Grade Level CPTs.
SEL
Please see Lori Casey for any updates. Fill out the survey to provide feedback on how the first SEL day went for you!
Culture and Climate
Kicked off last Wednesday! Check in with your grade level team representatives for more informationCheck your email for information and Updates. Next meeting 10/26!
Reading Aloud to Kids
October Staff Birthdays
Don't Forget to say " Happy Birthday"
- Colleen Condon Farrell 10/3
- Chelsea Ewing 10/8
- Stefanie Gertz 10/10
- Melody Suong 10/10
- Kevin Gibson 10/14
- Zulaika Brens 10/19
- Gerri Manapopoulos 10/19
Butler Community
Email: jmoody@lowell.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Domain/10
Location: 1140 Gorham Street, Lowell, MA, USA
Phone: 978-937-8973
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lpsdbutler/