November 2024 Equity Newsletter
Visit the Cultural Celebration Page for upcoming events, professional development panels, academic resources, and more!
Events & Happenings
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, it is also referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month in order to be inclusive to the many indigenous populations in America. This is a time to reflect on the hard history of colonization that affected the people here before us. It means celebrating and uplifting the voices that have historically been silenced by our history books and reflecting on the importance of preserving histories that were almost forgotten.
The Lenapehoking (Lenni-Lenape) are the people native to the Philadelphia territory where we reside, work, or attend school. Today, one of the ways we try to honor the native people of this area is in a land acknowledgment. Why are land acknowledgments important? Part of equity work involves knowing our history, especially when we discuss marginalized populations who have historically been mistreated. A land acknowledgment is a formal way to recognize the Indigenous peoples who have come before you, and who were often violently removed from their land due to colonization. This is a small, but vital, first step in acknowledging our difficult histories.
Acknowledging, reflecting, and appreciating the indigenous peoples of our country is an essential part of this month.
In addition to recognizing and celebrating Native American Heritage, November also serves as Houseless Youth Awareness Month and Trans Awareness Month.
DEI Happenings
Student Equity Associations are back!
A Student Equity Association(SEA) is a student inspired, shaped, and guided school-based program. The SEA provides a collaborative structure for uplifting student voices to address issues of inequity at the school level. This student driven group provides students with the opportunity to build knowledge and generate discussion on topics related to equity, in addition to building the leadership capacity of its members. If interested in creating a SEA in your school, please contact Michelle Golobish at mgolobish@philasd.org.
Transgender Remembrance Coffee House & Open Mic Night 2024
Transgender Day of Remembrance, observed on November 20th, honors the memory of transgender individuals who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender violence. It serves as a reminder of the discrimination and violence faced by the transgender community and highlights the need for greater acceptance and understanding. The day also provides a space for reflection, activism, and solidarity in advocating for the rights and safety of transgender people worldwide. This event will be an Open mic/stage for students, staff, and families to share poetry, art, & other forms of expression that affirm and acknowledge the transgender experience.
Equity in Practice: Disability Awareness Panel Discussion
Join us on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, from 12pm – 1pm for a panel discussion to raise awareness about the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The goal of this discussion is to promote inclusion and explore ways to best support those with a disability.
Panelist will include School District of Philadelphia staff and Community Advocates.
Community Resources & Opportunities
Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Learning Opportunities’
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is excited to offer learning opportunities for SDP employees to enhance their personal and professional growth in areas of anti-racism and advancing equity. The equity
professional learning series offers insight into core learning and growth, terminology and concepts, different types of oppression that marginalized communities experience and how we can all work to make
our schools and offices more inclusive and equitable.
In Case You Missed It!
Equity in Practice: LGBTQIA+ History Month
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosted a panel discussion to highlight LGBTQ History on Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, from 12pm – 1pm. In this discussion, panelists highlighted the importance of LGBTQ history and how that history continues to shape our district and society today.
Are you interested in participating in a panel discussion in future? If so, please contact Kyle Tribble at ktribble@philasd.org.
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