This week the Hatherly staff took a baby step towards a culturally proficient environment. We focused on sharing invisible and visible traits that should be celebrated. The stories we read sent a message to students about the importance of respecting our differences. The week was kicked off by reading aloud Just Ask, Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor. This book resulted in rich conversations about the way each of us experience the world.
On Wednesday we gathered as one big community on Google Meet. Kids in classrooms and at home joined Mrs. Ward to listen to, All are Welcome. Then Mrs. Ward shared a flower she had created displaying her own invisible and visible traits. Mrs. Berton explained how each student would make their very own flower.
Today everyone in the Hatherly School proudly wore their flower. Every class listened to the author read and discuss, The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson. The author took time at the end of the story to remind students that it is ok to be different. As the day ended, each flower was delivered to the lobby. Students added their flower to our front board resulting in the most beautiful garden you can imagine.
This week was a great first step but by no means are we done with learning about and living diversity, equity and inclusion.
