As a district, SPS has made a commitment to families that we will ensure educational excellence for each and every student is the commitment we have made to families. Our educators, school leaders, School Board and partners have been working to not only address barriers to academic success but also to increase opportunities for success for all students, especially African-American males and other students of color. This has required working across departments within our school district, closely examining our practices and making sure students feel like they belong, experience welcoming learning environments and are safe in their identities. As a QAE staff, we know that welcoming schools and classrooms, where students’ language, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, unique abilities, etc. are viewed as assets rather than deficits, are foundational to their success. This year, our staff has been doing ongoing work around Race and Equity. As a part of this work, we spent time during National Black Lives Matter teachings lessons designed to:
You may view the teaching guide, K-12 lessons and additional resources on the SEA website. | What did this look like in Kindergarten?In kindergarten, we used two books to ground our instruction, and did activities that helped our students begin to explore the big ideas of identity and belonging. We also introduced the students to the life accomplishments and poetry Maya Angelo, and used her inspiration to identify ways that we could be brave and helpful in deconstructing racism. |
On Friday, the kindergarteners learned from an inspirational speaker and our 4th and 5th grade students at a Black Lives Matter Assembly, and may have had an opportunity to buy a treat at a bake sale raising funds for SPS students to see the upcoming “Black Panther” movie.
On Friday, the kindergarteners learned from an inspirational speaker and our 4th and 5th grade students at a Black Lives Matter Assembly, and may have had an opportunity to buy a treat at a bake sale raising funds for SPS students to see the upcoming “Black Panther” movie.
Ongoing QAE Staff Race and Equity Work...
Staff Race & Equity Seminar ~ As teachers, the kindergarten team is participating in our staff Race and Equity Seminar (led by Ms. Ward and Mr. Liner and UW faculty member Gonzalo Guzman). Session 1 of this 12-week seminar is focusing on becoming cognizant of how our understanding of race and racial identity inform our daily interactions and acknowledging and addressing our own internalized racism and privilege. We are reading the book, “Waking Up White” by Debby Irving to help facilitate these conversations, along with weekly articles and videos. Session 2 (Spring) will use a reflexive-social position and personal biography-approach to educational practice while exploring how race and racism function in elementary school, and will include: lesson plans, feedback on teaching, and in-class practice.
We are partnering with QAE’s Families of Color group to learn from guest speakers, collaborative discussions, and cultural evenings.
Our whole staff is continuously incorporating diverse literature into our Language Arts programs because we know how important it is for students to see themselves represented in literature.
Our PTSA pays for assemblies which promote diversity and multi-culturalism, such as BookIt educational programs and our guest poet, Charles Waters.
We are partnering with QAE’s Families of Color group to learn from guest speakers, collaborative discussions, and cultural evenings.
Our whole staff is continuously incorporating diverse literature into our Language Arts programs because we know how important it is for students to see themselves represented in literature.
Our PTSA pays for assemblies which promote diversity and multi-culturalism, such as BookIt educational programs and our guest poet, Charles Waters.
We invite you to join us in this work by continuing these conversations with your children at home.