Equity & Inclusion Newsletter
February 2022, Staff Edition
Honoring Region 15 Families: Black History Month Video Project
Together with three student leaders from PHS, we are compiling a video project made up of short video clip contributions from Region 15 students and/or their family members. For this video project, the idea is to ask interested contributors to respond to a few questions to honor the richness within African American and Black cultures, histories, heritages, stories, and legacies. This video can then be shared with the Region 15 community through this newsletter, on the district's website, and with staff to share with students.
We had the idea of creating a video with clips from the lived experiences, knowledge, and richness within our community to celebrate Black History Month as one way we can honor our community's families & Black History Month on a local level.
If you are interested in participating by contributing a short video clip, please contact equity_inclusion@region15.org at your earliest convenience!
February Read Aloud Video
While Black history is history that belongs in each month, this newsletter is dedicated to the honoring of Black History Month in February. The book selected to share in the video below is one we filmed in 202, and would like to offer up again as one of many incredible texts that focus on Black brilliance, struggles, and contributions. It "spans continents and centuries, triumph and heartbreak, creativity and joy," as well as liberation and civic engagement, all of which need to be lifted up in the teaching and learning of Black history (Workman Publishing, 2020).
In this video, five students and Ms.Gaffney, their LMES 5th grade Writing teacher, volunteered as guest readers to share the book The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez, illustrated by Lauren Semmer. This book is recommended by the publisher for ages 5-99! Please consider sharing with your classes during the month of February.
Note: This read aloud is being shared with the permission of Workman Publishing.
Read
Read the article "Black History should start in Africa" in EdWeek this week. Also check out the following for potential use in classrooms:
Black History Month Resources:
booklist from PenguinRandomhouse
Google slides exhibition hall of 28 days of epic Black History, with books linked directly to Epic!
a slide deck with daily inspiration spotlighting a different present or past contributor to Black history.
(Photo Source: The Book Wrangler)
Watch
Have and/or work with young children? Disney Junior's new series of animated shorts, Rise Up, Sing Out are fun, musical, and teach into the important concepts of communication, friendship, diversity, celebrating differences, and offer a framework for conversations. Here's a trailer!
Have and/or work with older children? There are lots of offerings curated for Black History Month on platforms like Netflix. Looking instead for new reads? Here is a booklist of new books for children and teenagers.
Additionally, author, scholar and poet Clint Smith hosts the Black American History Crash Course series. Click here to access the full playlist.
Photo source: Disney Junior
Listen
The National Museum of African American History & Culture has a dynamic lineup of many, many virtual events this month for children and adults. Mark your calendars and watch!
Additionally, explore their extensive resources honoring Black History Month 2022 through the lenses of Black health and wellness.
Photo source: NMAAHC
Recent Work: Elementary Spotlight
Opportunities during Black History Month:
- Local! Wednesday at the movies: Respect, Southbury Public Library, Feb 23
- Local! Black History in CT, Connecticut Historical Society, Feb 23
- Local! My Freedom is a Privilege that Nothing Else Can Equal: The Story of Venture Smith & Slavery in Stonington, CT, all month
- Changing the World One Word at a Time: Conversation and Read Aloud with Jacqueline Woodson, with the ADL (author of New Kid!), Feb 9
- National Museum of African American History & Culture events
- Association for African American Life & History 2021 Black History Month Virtual Events
- Library of Congress African American History Month events
- Smithsonian calendar of events
Calendar of Religious Observances: February 2022
Why is this information important?
The towns of Middlebury and Southbury are made up of families representing many different religious and cultural identities.
The information below is offered as a resource to increase awareness of & respect for religious observations and ethnic and cultural festivities. These observances may affect students, colleagues and neighbors in our community.
What are some ways this information can be used?
Calendar planning by for use in scheduling and planning details, for example:
workplace festivities
community events
school activities and exams
Feb. 1: Lunar New Year: (Confucian, Daoist and Buddhist, many Asian and Asian American families celebrate) Also known as the Spring Festival, an important festival celebrated at the turn of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar
Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day: Celebrates the idea of romantic love
Feb. 15: Nirvana Day: (Buddhist) Celebrates the day when the historical Buddha achieved Parinirvana, or complete Nirvana, upon the death of his physical body. Sometimes celebrated on February 8.
Feb. 16: Magha Puja: (Buddhist) Also known as Sangha Day, it commemorates the spontaneous assembly of 1,250 disciples, completely enlightened monks, in the historical Buddha's presence.
Feb. 28 Maha Shivaratri: (Hindu) Also called Shiva Ratri, the Great Night of Shiva, is a festival in reverence of the god Shiva. The festival is celebrated at the 13th night or 14th day of the waning moon in the Hindu calendar (month of February or March of the English calendar)
(Source: Anti-Defamation League)
Because our intention in sharing this information is to increase awareness of and respect for religious observations and ethnic and cultural festivities that may affect students, colleagues and neighbors in our community, your input is important. Please email equity_inclusion@region15.org if there is something we missed!
Newsletter background design
Contact & Social Media
Instagram: @r15equity_inclusion
Email: equity_inclusion@region15.org
Website: region15.org/globalcitizenship
Twitter: @r15equity