HSD Equity and Inclusion Updates

If you have an equity question, please reach out to your Building Equity Leader(s) for guidance!

DBS: Jordan Ela

OQS: Julia Anderson & Kari Amick

WRS: Kathleen Grady & Amy DeMatteo

HMMS: Patrick Lincoln & Carley Malloy (Virtually)

HHS: Becky Whitney, Mary Bouchard, & Steve Gagliardone

HACTC: Timmy MacDonnell

TWS: Megan Geiselhart

Members of the Hartford Memorial Middle School's BIPOC Affinity Group visited the Multicultural Affinity Group at the White River School! The middle schoolers planned an art activity to do together around the students' names. Making connections now between schools will hopefully help make the transition easier for the 5th graders in the Fall!

The HMMS BIPOC Affinity Group celebrates the end of the year with a sushi feast!

The Hartford School District is a Vermont Educator of Color Affiliate. As a part of this affiliate, the HSD educators of color are invited to join in a Fall and Spring Retreat, free of charge. Our Spring retreat in May was at the Farm and Wilderness in Plymouth, VT. The dynamic weather allowed for some pretty amazing views, and the sun came out just in time for a walk to visit goats and to take a dip in the pond. It was a weekend to envision what equity in education could look like, to share our stories, be joyful, and to just be with other educators of color. The Fall retreat is set for October 18 & 19!

"In Diversity, there is beauty and there is strength." - Maya Angelou

We are proud of the diversity in our community and believe that valuing diversity fosters an inclusive environment where students learn to appreciate different perspectives- building empathy and collaboration, and preparing them for a global society.

Show your support for Diversity in the HSD! You can purchase a Hartford Hurrricanes Diversity shirt through Strong Rabbit Designs here for $16.

Here are 5 reasons why Pride Parades are important:

1. Visibility and Representation: Pride parades provide a space for LGBTQ+ people to be seen and heard, showing that they exist and deserve the same rights and recognition as everyone else.

2. Celebration of Identity: Pride is a celebration of individual and collective LGBTQ+ identities. It’s an opportunity for people to express themselves authentically and with pride, breaking free from societal pressures to conform.

3. Advocacy for Equal Rights: Pride parades often serve as a platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. They bring attention to ongoing issues like discrimination, marriage equality, transgender rights, and healthcare access.

4. Community and Solidarity: Pride parades foster a sense of community, bringing together people of all backgrounds who support LGBTQ+ rights. They create an environment where individuals can find solidarity and feel empowered in their shared experiences.

5. Historical Significance and Remembrance: Pride parades also serve as a reminder of the history and struggles of the LGBTQ+ movement, especially events like the Stonewall Riots in 1969, which sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. It's a time to honor the work and sacrifices of those who fought for LGBTQ+ freedoms.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19th, and it is also known as Freedom Day, Black Independence Day, and Jubilee Day. It marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved people that they were free, which was two years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth is a day of celebration, reflection, and recognition of African American history, culture, and resilience.

June is PRIDE month!

June 2: Shavuot (Jewish)

June 5: Day of Hajj (Islam)

June 6: Eid-ul-Adha (Islam)

June 7: Red Earth Native American Fair (Indigenous, USA)

June 19: Juneteenth (USA)
June 21: Litha (Wicca)

June 27: 1st Muharram - Islamic New Year (Islam)

July-August Sun Dance Ritual (Indigenous)

July-August Green Corn Ceremony (Indigenous)

July 1: Canada Day (Canada)

July 1: HKSAR Establishment Day (Hong Kong)

July 3: NAIDOC (Australia)

July 4: Independence Day (USA)

July 6: Ashura (Islam)

July 11: Nadaam Festival (Mongolia)

July 14: Bastille Day (France)

August 1: Lugnasad (Wicca)

August 3: Tish'a B'Av (Jewish)

August 6: Hiroshima Day (Canada, Japan, USA)

August 12: International Youth Day (UN)

August 16: Janmashtami (Hindu)

August 18: Now Ruz (Shenshai)

August 27: Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu)

In your school's weekly newsletter, we provide a quick blurb, article, video, or story to help you better understand the HSD Anti-Racism and Gender Inclusivity Policies. Here is a link where you can access all the past Curiosity Corner information!