The Equity Observer

In Our History Matters recognized Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage month and Jewish American Heritage month throughout the month of May. Check out our websites for both months to see our staff highlights, social media posts, and other interesting information.

Throughout the month of June we have celebrated PRIDE. You can read our staff spotlight, view our slide deck presented at several schools, and access some useful information and resources at our Our History Matters PRIDE website. If you have resources which would be helpful to add to any of the Our History Matters websites, please send those to Jennifer Santiago.

Our History Matters will return in September with the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. If you have ideas, want to support, or other information please reach out!

Please reach out to your administrator or Director to learn more about the school-based teams, operations team, and the Division Level Team. This work is for all and all are welcome in helping move the various pieces and culture forward.

Throughout the school year 16 teams have completed the small group face to face component of Cultural Proficiency training. While the goal was to complete the training with all instructional staff before the end of this school year, we do have a few groups who have yet to complete the training. We will reach out at the beginning of the school year to team leaders and CTLs to get the remaining groups scheduled. This is required training for all public school employees, not just on the instruction side. It's been a joy to work with all of the groups so far and I'm excited to work with the remaining groups. In the meantime, have a fabulous summer!

Are you a resident of Falls Church City, would you like to be, do you know people who are? Check out this list of resources you can access to support a variety of needs. If your interested in learning more about the Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs) available at a variety of property locations please reach out to City staff. There's some great information here to help you or someone you may know navigate life.

The National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) is a "coalition of African American educators, administrators and other professionals directly and indirectly involved in the educational process." William Bates and Jennifer Santiago recently met with the President of Fairfax Alliance for Black School Educators (FABSE), Anthony Harris, to learn more about how FCCPS might be able to start their own chapter. If you or your peers are a Black school educator, administrator, or other professional in FCCPS and are interested in learning more about creating a local chapter of NABSE in FCCPS please reach out to Jennifer who can provide additional information.