March 2023 Newsletter
Visit the Women's History Month Page for upcoming events, professional development panels, academic resources, and more!
March is Women’s History Month!
To each of you powerful women I say this, you know that you are forced to be reckoned with, you can and have inspired peace and understanding and most importantly right now you can inspire your audience to vote. Now more than ever women need to continue to rise up. – Emma González
Women have been an essential part of history, whether recognized by history or not. When helped build this country, they lead in the arts and sciences, and they take up many of the leadership roles in our very own district. This month is about recognizing the many accomplishments of women and not only the most famous; but recognizing those women who help make our families, communities, and lives better.
While the work women do should be acknowledged every month, it is a time to center their voices and find ways to seek out women owned business, media created by women, and support organizations led and helping women. Of course this also means all women, young, old, trans, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and beyond. We would not be where we are without the work that various women have done to get us here.
Harriet Tubman Day
“I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can’t say — I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger.”
Harriet Tubman at a suffrage convention, NY, 1896.
During Women’s History Month we also celebrate Harriet Tubman Day, which is March 10th. While we do not know the exact date of her birth records indicate it was in March, so this day was chosen to honor the accomplishment’s of this incredible woman.
In honor of Harriet Tubman Day the School District of Philadelphia has launched a postcard campaign in support of HR 7013, a proposed bill to make Harriet Tubman Day a federal holiday. With nearly 40 schools participating, students are learning about the life of Harriet Tubman and drafting their reasoning for why March 10th should be declared a federal holiday. Grounded in principles of civic engagement and activism, this initiative encourages students to use their knowledge and voice from a place of advocacy. Postcards will be returned to central office and shared with Congressman Brendan Boyle’s Office in support of this bill.
Below, you can see some of the postcards we have received so far.
March Events & Happenings
March is also: Disability Awareness Month, National Reading Month, Social Work Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, Bisexual Health Awareness Month
Equity in Practice: Focus on CAIR Wednesday, March 8th 2023 from 12pm – 1pm
The Philadelphia School District has a growing population of Muslim students and staff. Join us for this lunch and learn session to hear a presentation from the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR Philadelphia) to learn about their work with the district and best practices you can use to support your Muslim students and colleagues.
March Spotlights
Women’s History Month Staff Spotlight: Sandra Casimir
Sandra Casimir is a Assistant Principal at Allen M. Stearne School. She shares why this month, and her heritage is important for her to celebrate.
I’m proud to be a Nigerian-American leader because my K-12 educational experience did not include educators that looked like me. Representation is important. Relatability is important. Relationships are important.
Women’s History Month Organization Spotlight: Collective Climb
Collective Climb is a Black Feminist Organization, and was the focus of our recent Equity in Practice Lunch and Learn. They empower BIPOC teenagers in West Philly using restorative justice practices. Their programs include opportunities like the Youth Advisory Board, Restorative Community Projects, and Collective Kickbacks. Learn more about the work they do on their website.
DEI Office Updates
Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Learning Opportunities
We are excited to announce our robust schedule of learning opportunities that will be available this Winter/Spring. These various sessions look to enhance our professional and personal growth in areas around anti-racism and advancing equity. There are introductory sessions for those new to equity work and our Oppressive Thematic Ideologies sessions (OTI) examine specific themes related to different marginalized populations.
SDP staff can sign up on Cornerstone by searching “DEI”
Podcast Updates
Listen to our latest Podcast Episodes From this Month:
- *NEW* Equity Snapshot: Linguistic Racism-On this episode of Equity Is we continue our discussions on Oppressive Thematic Ideologies that our Equity Training Specialists will be providing trainings on throughout the year. We are joined by Ryan Villanueva who will offer some terminology, misconceptions, and ways to learn about the topic, Linguistic Racism.
Have a person, program, or idea about what should be featured on the Equity Is podcast? Fill out the form below!
ETS Corner
Check out some of the spotlights and news our Equity Training Specialists wanted to feature in this month’s newsletter.
Jason Benfield: Allen M. Stearne Elementary School
The Stearne School Oratorical Contest is an exciting event that commemorates the oral tradition of our ancestors who were great writers, authors, and orators who helped change the world. The Oratorical Contest is intended to highlight the talents, skills, and gifts of our scholars. During this event, our scholars will showcase their oratorical abilities through recitation of group speeches, memoirs, poems, and spoken word. There are three (3) selection levels to the Oratorical Contest: in class preliminaries, semi-finals, and the all-school finals. Each classroom teacher and selected individuals will judge for the in-class preliminaries and semi- finals. An esteemed panel of judges will be recruited for our final event.
Dylan Van Duyne: Gloria Casarez Elementary School
Dylan says that Gloria Casarez Elementary School is doing great work fostering space to talk to students about violence within their own community. So much so that they were highlighted in a WHYY article last month. Make sure to check out their article HERE.
In Case You Missed It!
Equity in Practice: Focus on Collective Climb
Last month we launched our Equity in Practice lunch and learn sessions. February focused on the work of Collective Climb. Collective Climb is a Black Feminist organization empowering BIPOC teenagers (15-19) in West Philadelphia through three programs: Restorative Community project, Youth Advisory Boards and Collective Kick-backs. Come to learn more about this organization, resources and services that they provide, and best practices that promote equitable action.
Check out the conversation on our Youtube page.
Black History Month Initiatives
Schools and District offices alike found plenty of ways to celebrate Black History Month this past February.
Check out the slideshow for photos from the following initiaitves:
- The Social Studies Office held a Rosa Parks Birthday Celebration at the Free Library
- Longstreth Elementary School held a Black History Door Decorating Contest
- G.W. Childs Elementary held a Black History Month T-Shirt Design contest for their students.
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