Evening Workshop for Parents - As I mentioned at Back to School Night, our school-wide focus is aimed at creating a school environment where our children, families and staff feel included so that our students can achieve at their highest level. On Thursday, October 26th, we will host our first evening workshop aimed at extending this work to families. For this event, we will participate in an activity that helps us understand issues related to race and other aspects of human identity. In addition, there will be time to talk with other parents about how to be address issues related to race and identity as they come up in the media and in your every day interactions with your children. We are encouraging as many parents as possible to attend.
Here are the details of the event:
- When: Thursday, October 26th
- Time:
- 5:45-6:15 Dinner (Pizza)
- 6:15-7:45 Workshop
- Where: Horace Mann gym
Childcare will again be available so parents and caregivers can attend the workshop. Registration will be coming soon!
Buddy Bench - A few months ago I posted some details about our idea to install a Buddy Bench on the HM playground. I wanted to share that we are moving forward with this project and as a refresher, I am reposting information that will remind families of this work. First, for some background, read the following article:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/04/04/kids-dont-have-to-be-lonely-at-recess-anymore-thanks-to-this-boy-and-his-buddy-bench/
Horace Mann will install a new bench, decorated by students, aimed at fostering inclusion during less structured social times. Students can go to the bench for a variety of reasons, including:
- A student new to Horace Mann may use the bench as a way to signal that they would like to meet someone.
- A student may want to try a new activity at recess.
- A student who would like to offer their support to new friends may use the bench to signal their efforts to reach out.
Families Organizing for Racial Justice - I wanted to bring your attention to a citywide group that was recently formed as part of the district’s efforts to support conversations about racial justice. Below is the mission statement for this group:
- FORJ is a group started in 2016 by Newton School parents, who believe that change starts at home and in our own communities.
- We are a group of families in and around Newton who want to generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society. We work together to foster respect and racial equity in our schools and communities.
- We are a learning community that is educating ourselves, our children, our schools, and our various communities about race racism, culture and identity.
- We hope to achieve safe and welcoming environments that enhance the well-being of all people. We want our work to promote healing and connection between individuals and communities.
- We believe in speaking out against injustice, supporting our kids to be upstanders, and taking action to address bias and inequity.
Feel free to reach out to Cedar Pruitt (cpruitt@gmail.com) or Karen Carpenter-Bernier (katecarpenter1@yahoo.com) for more information and/or to get involved.
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