Much of the discourse about family-school relationships tends to focus on the role of teachers, but of crucial importance is the tone school leaders set for these relationships. I was reminded of this a couple of weeks ago when my daughter’s elementary school principal sent out an email announcing the upcoming observance of the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action (which begins today). As a Black parent, I felt thankful for our school’s continued commitment to anti-racism, and as a scholar of family-school relationships, I was immediately struck by the numerous powerful declarations it makes, while also communicating openness to further conversations:
(1) Anti-racism is a core value of our school community
(2) Participating in the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action is one way we demonstrate our anti-racist commitments
(3) It is not only possible, but enriching, to incorporate curricular materials that promote anti-racism and justice for all people while teaching historical context and present-day realities
(4) Conversations about anti-racism, justice for all people, history, and present-day realities are appropriate for children of all ages (this is a Pre-K-5th grade elementary school)
(5) White educators can be more than allies: they can also be co-conspirators in the cause for facing head on–and combating–the vicious and violent forces of racism
With permission from Bradley, our principal, I have pasted his email below, as I think it serves as a wonderful mentor text for other leaders–and even teachers–who want to make bold curricular moves. I hope it will inspire and fuel educators’ imaginations for what is possible.
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Dear EVCS families,
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! I sincerely hope that you and your kids have had an opportunity this weekend to not only have an extra day to chill (so important!), but to reflect on the meaning and significance of this national holiday – not just from a historical perspective but as it relates to the ongoing urgency for racial equity and justice in our society today. It’s been 56 years since Martin Luther King delivered his beautiful I Have a Dream speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and yet his call to action is just as salient today as it ever was.
We have committed ourselves at EVCS to doing what we can to support our students – your children – in becoming a generation of anti-racist people. In service of that commitment, we understand the important of teaching about civil rights and racial justice in America from the point of view of past, present and future – not just as a historical event. In that spirit, I am proud to let you know that for the second year EVCS will again be endorsing the national Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action on February 4-8. The 13 principles of the Black Lives Matter at School movement are ones that overlap significantly with our school’s core values, and we aspire to weave these principles into our curriculum in ways explicit and implicit throughout the school year. During the week of action we will shine a light on these principles through read alouds from picture books (including some led by EVCS parents), discussions in class on relevant topics including structural racism, black identities, black history and anti-racist movements, writing prompts in the upper grades and other focused lesson activities. We will gather as a whole school community on Wednesday morning February 6 for a special SWMM, followed by a short march around the block led by the famous EVCS marching band drum line because as MLK Jr. put it so perfectly so many years ago, Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that. and that’s what we intend to do. Students will continue to get regular academic instruction in all subject areas that week, in addition to these special activities and events.
If you’re interested in learning more about our plans for the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action or if you’d like to get involved please plan on sticking around in the auditorium after School-Wide Morning Meeting on Monday January 28th where we can share books, materials and lesson ideas, brainstorm activities together and answer any questions you have.
I always feel grateful to be a part of the EVCS community. But it’s times like these, when we set our intentions to be a force for what is right and we teach our kids that they can be agents of change in an imperfect world, that I am reminded of just how special this community is. Thank you for your support of this initiative.
As ever,
Bradley
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On October 19th, 2016 in Seattle, WA, thousands of educators and hundreds of students and families came to school wearing t-shirts that stated “Black Lives Matter: We Stand Together.” This action started a movement, and now, the first week of February each year is known as the Black Lives Matter Week of Action.
Demands for the movement:
1) End “zero tolerance” discipline, and implement restorative justice
2) Hire more black teachers
3) Mandate black history and ethnic studies in K-12 curriculum
4) Fund counselors not cops
The lessons that educators taught during that week of action corresponded to the thirteen guiding principles of Black Lives Matter:
Monday: Restorative Justice, Empathy and Loving Engagement
Tuesday: Diversity and Globalism
Wednesday: Trans-Affirming, Queer Affirming and Collective Value
Thursday: Intergenerational, Black Families and Black Villages
Friday: Black Women and Unapologetically Black
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