December 2022 Newsletter
While we do not celebrate a particular recognition month for December, it is a good time to reflect on the work done this year and recognize the overarching diversity of our district!
Seasons Greetings from the Equity Office!
December recognizes various monthly celebrations such as Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month, HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, and Universal Human Rights Month. It is also a time of various celebrations like International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, World Aids Day, Christmas, Winter Solstice, World Wildlife Conservation Day, National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
This time of year people focus on celebration, reflection, and giving. So it is a good reminder to reflect on what we have done, what work we still need to do, and how we can serve those who need help. Organizations like in Philadelphia and beyond offer different drives, donation opportunities, and gift giving services at a high need time for many of our marginalized populations.
We encourage folks to think about giving back at this time. You can check out this guide from the Philadelphia Inquirer for organizations meaningful to you this season.
Seasons Greetings from the Equity Office!
The 2nd Annual Social Justice Summit will be held virtually on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, January 16th, 2023. Details for attendees will come after the holidays. Currently we are looking for people who are interested in presenting at the summit or hosting an interactive workshop. The theme for this year is “Always Forward: Moving toward Hope and Healing”. More details are in the flyer below. Please share amongst your networks! Click the image to see pdf version with clickable links.
DEI Office Updates
Culturally Responsive School Leadership Academy- Cohort II
Many members of the DEI office got to participate in the Culturally Responsive School Leadership Academy training last week. It was two full days of learning, listening, and working to think about how we can incorporate family and communities in the work we do every day! We got to learn from Dr. Muhammad Khalifa and his guest speakers on the impactful work they are doing to help their school communities. We were honored to be a part of this training and we look forward to putting this knowledge into practice.
Trans Day of Visibility Coffee House
A few weeks ago we held the second annual Trans Remembrance Coffeehouse and Open Mic at 440. We heard from amazing people who sang, danced, told stories, and worked to build a community space where we could honor and celebrate Trans Life. Be on the lookout for an episode of Equity Is featuring voices from the special day! Huge thanks to organizations like Galaei, GLSEN, William Way, Children and Youth Experienceing Homelessness, PASH, and the Mazzoni Center for tabling the event.
ETS Corner: Spotlighting Schools & Programs Picked by our Team!
Hasani’s School Shoutout: Charles W. Henry School
One of the few schools in the District led by a black, male, principal Tyrone Ross and black, male, assistant principal Kevin Wilson. There will be a write-up about how their identity impacts all learners at their diverse school.
Dylan Van Duyne- Kensington CAPA
Kensington CAPA was involved in the Transgender Remembrance Coffee House Event on November 15th. Their slideshow they created was a beautiful and powerful recognition and remembrance of trans folks that have passed.
In Case You Missed It!
Native American Heritage Month Panel- 2022
The School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion had an amazing opportunity to host a panel discussion with tribal citizens, organization leaders, and advocates of the Native-American community. The goal of this panel discussion was to have a community conversation that honors authentic narratives within the Native American community, celebrates cultural diversity, and promotes cultural education. Joining the discussion were representatives of NAHA (Native American House Alliance), Cornelia Dimalanta and Peters Brooks, The President of the Museum of Indian Culture in Allentown, Jack Johnson, and representatives of IPD Philly (Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly Inc) Mabel Negrete and Mr. Eugene Black Crow.
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