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Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force

Newsletter

Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force Newsletter

November 29, 2023 ~ Hyde-Addison ES

Greetings from the Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force. Please join the Equity and Anti-Racism conversation at Hyde-Addison by emailing hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov and requesting to be added to the Task Force email list maintained by the school, joining us on Konstella, utilizing the resources here, and/or participating in the monthly Task Force virtual meeting at 4pm on the last Friday of every month during the school year. As parents, teachers and staff, we are interested in doing our part to promote equity and end racism in constructive, supportive ways.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Turns 75 on December 10

Every year on December 10, the United Nations celebrates Human Rights Day to commemorate the UN General Assembly’s December 10, 1948 proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Declaration. As war rages around the world, we know that many of our families are impacted in various ways. Some might say that there could be no better time to recommit ourselves to the Declaration’s principles and instill them in our children.


The Declaration’s Preamble notes that “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,” that “disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind,” and that “it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law.” The Preamble urges us to “strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms” and is followed by 30 Articles articulating specific rights and freedoms, including:


  • “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.” (Article 2)

  • “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” (Article 3)

  • “Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.” (Article 13)

  • “Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.” (Article 14)

  • “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion[.]” (Article 18)

  • “Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.” (Article 21)

  • “Everyone has the right to education.” (Article 26)


To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Declaration, the UN launched the Human RIghts 75 Initiative, with a resource page providing historical background, events information and more. A series of regional events throughout 2023 will culminate in a December 11-12 event in Geneva, Switzerland, with virtual participation offered for many of the sessions. Register here.

Kindness Campaign

During the month of October, Hyde Addison Elementary School celebrated kindness by promoting inclusivity and recognizing differences among students. This proactive approach involved teaching students how to be upstanders and identify how to effectively resolve conflicts. We are proud to say that so many students at Hyde Addison are models of kindness and understanding, recognizing that our differences make us unique and special.

Given the current global situation coupled with the upcoming holiday season, we acknowledge that this may be a difficult time for many. Therefore, we want to equip students and parents with some much needed skills to effectively cope with challenges that may arise. We are pleased to announce that the Student Support Team will sponsor another Coping Skills Café, building upon the success of last year's event which saw over 50 families in attendance, learning hands-on strategies. Stay tuned for more information!

December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Since 1992, the United Nations has promoted observance of an International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, aiming to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. This year’s theme is “United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities.” In 2018, the UN released a Flagship Report on Disability and Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved as part of a broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, mapping concrete actions needed to include the world’s one billion persons with disabilities—15% of the world population—as both agents and beneficiaries of development. According to the UN, “Given the multiple crises of today’s world, achievement of the SDGs is in peril. At the mid-point of the implementation period for the 2030 Agenda, the world is not on track to reach numerous SDGs targets by 2030.”


For more information regarding U.S. policies, programs, and practices that impact people with disabilities, check out the National Council on Disability (NCD), an independent federal agency that advises the President, Congress and other federal agencies. NCD has a web page specifically dedicated to tracking education policies and practices affecting people with disabilities from birth through adulthood.

Hanukkah (December 7-15)

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Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day “festival of lights,” which will be celebrated December 7 through 15, 2023. Chabad.org explains: “At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting. The menorah holds nine flames, one of which is the shamash (‘attendant’), which is used to kindle the other eight lights.

"On the first night, we light just one flame. On the second night, an additional flame is lit. By the eighth night of Chanukah, all eight lights are kindled.” Hanukkah customs include playing with a dreidel and eating fried foods like potato latke and jelly-filled sufganya (doughnuts).

We look forward to highlighting other late December and January celebrations in the December newsletter.

Read Some Books!

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Celebrate the holidays by reading some books with your little ones. Hyde-Addison teachers have compiled this list of winter holiday books.

Celebrating Diversity & Inclusion at Hyde-Addison ES

Did your student celebrate any holidays or traditions related to their culture, race, or ethnicity recently? Please share any photos or videos related to your celebrations via email: hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov.

Upcoming Holidays & Observances

Native American Heritage Month (November)

Rosa Parks Day (December 1 in OH & OR, commemorating arrest)

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3)

International Human Rights Day (December 10)

Hanukkah (December 7-15, 2023)

Winter Solstice (December 21)

Christmas (December 25)

Kwanzaa (December 26-January 1)

Watch Night (December 31)

Three Kings Day (January 6)

Orthodox Christmas (January 7, 2024)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 15, 2024)

International Day of Education (January 24)

International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27)

Black History Month (February)

National Freedom Day (February 1)

Rosa Parks Day (February 4 in CA, MI & MO, commemorating birthday)

Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year (February 10, 2024)

International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11)

Nirvana Day (February 15)

Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday (February 15)

Disclaimer: The Hyde-Addison ES Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force is an independent group not associated with DCPS and any viewpoints or activities associated with this group are not endorsed by DCPS.

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