Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force

This is the first newsletter of the school year from the Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force. The Task Force meets monthly and includes parents, teachers and administrators who seek to encourage conversations about and embed equity and anti-racist practices across the school community. Stay tuned for these types of activities from us:

• monthly newsletters
• curated book recommendations
• guest speakers
• book lists, videos, and read-aloud recommendations for children

If you are interested in joining us, please email hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov or join on Konstella by going to “Directory” and browsing “Committees.”

On October 26, 2021, Deesha Dyer, former Social Secretary for the White House, will present at the PTA meeting, at 5:00pm. She will discuss Cultivating an Anti-Racist Environment in a School Community and Beyond. Deesha Dyer is an award-winning strategist, on-the-ground community organizer, and executive operations expert. She specializes in transforming ideas into causes that create tangible change. For nearly two decades, she has produced social-impact campaigns across entertainment, politics, philanthropy and business.

Please join via zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83470671928?pwd=eDBNQmRHenZiNFlUYXVhYTY0SmJ2QT09

What’s in a name? This NPR article explores the background and complexity of hispanic heritage month. https://www.npr.org/2021/09/17/1037741009/yes-were-calling-it-hispanic-heritage-month-and-we-know-it-makes-some-of-you-cri

Events

There are loads of way to celebrate. Check out the National Hispanic Heritage Month site (National Hispanic American Heritage Month 2021).

Tour the DC Latino street murals - in person or virtually.

DC Latino Street Murals: A Virtual Tour - Smithsonian Latino Center (SLC) - Google Arts & Culture

All month the National Museum of American History has an exhibit looking at Latino players' influence on baseball. Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues

Books

Hyde Addison teachers have compiled a list of their favorite books related to Hispanic Heritage month here: Book List

Read Alouds

Yuyi Morales (author of award winning picture book Dreamers) reads her new book Bright Star https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuvsrBaQdD0

Get ready for Halloween with Jaime Camil reading Zombies Don't Eat Veggies! in Spanish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3BVRZAwzAc&t=6s or English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxF5WURk-RY&t=38s.

Videos for Kids

A Sesame Street song about different countries where Spanish is spoken. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcsf2KshklE

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

September

• Amerindian Heritage Month (Guyana)
• Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15, 2021)
• Yom Kippur (September 15-16, 2021)

October

• Filipino American History Month
• Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month
• LGBT History Month
• Polish American Heritage Month
• Indigenous People’s Day (October 11, 2021)

November

• Native American Heritage Month
• Diwali (November 4, 2021)
• Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20, 2021)
• Native American Heritage Day (November 26, 2021)
• Hanukkah (November 28 - December 6, 2021)

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.