Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force

Greetings from the Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force. Please join the Equity and Anti-Racism conversation at Hyde-Addison by emailing hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov and requesting to be added to the Task Force email list maintained by the school, joining us on Konstella, utilizing the resources here, and/or participating in the monthly Task Force virtual meeting at 4pm on the last Friday of every month. As parents, teachers and staff, we are interested in doing our part to promote equity and end racism in constructive, supportive ways.

April is the month to celebrate our differences and embrace all the things that make us special and unique. During April, challenge yourself to broaden your views and learn about a different religion, language or culture. It can be as simple as watching a documentary, taking a cooking class, or listening to music you wouldn’t normally listen to. Anything to give you a new perspective. And if you’re looking for some inclusive businesses in our area, be sure to check out this list.

There are so many amazing things around DC and the country we can highlight for National Diversity Month, but in this issue we’re going to celebrate the unique experiences that make our own Hyde-Addison community so special!

First graders wrote about and drew portraits of Black changemakers they look up to. Then, they took a gallery walk to admire their classmates' writing and artwork and get inspired!

First graders learned about each other's opinions by collecting, sorting, and analyzing data. It was so much fun to notice similarities and differences in opinions!

Throughout Women's History Month, first graders have learned about many female leaders. They end the day by sharing which leader they are most like!

Ms. Shields - Pre K Teacher

Barbados

Ms. Stachowski – Pre K Teacher

Old Jeshwang, The Gambia & Guanajuato, Mexico

Fun Fact: "Both opportunities gave me a chance to work with young kids and ended up impacting my career choices later on. I realized I wanted to work directly with kids."

Ms. Spikes – 5th Grade Teacher

Daegu, South Korea

Fun Fact: "In South Korea, she taught English to elementary and middle-school students at a hagwon, an after-school academy. Ms. Spikes enjoyed her time abroad meeting new people, trying different foods, and she even took a trip to China!"

Ms. Bryant – Math Instructional Coach

England & Germany

Fun Fact: "I had all of my formative reading years in a British school and had a British accent until 4th grade."

Want to experience the cuisine of these regions in D.C.?

Check out these restaurant recommendations:

West African Cuisine: The Continent DC (Adams Morgan) – Modern West African flavors, including suya, jollof rice, and fufu.

Mexican Cuisine: dLeña by Chef Richard Sandoval (Mount Vernon Triangle) – Wood-fired dishes, handmade tortillas, and smoky mezcal cocktails.

German Cuisine: Cafe Berlin (Capitol Hill) – Authentic schnitzels, bratwurst, and traditional German beers.

British Cuisine: The Queen Vic (H Street NE) – A cozy British pub serving fish and chips, and a proper cup of tea.

Korean Cuisine: Seoul Spice (Multiple Locations, including NoMa & Tenleytown) – Fast-casual Korean eatery known for customizable rice bowls, Korean BBQ, and kimchi.

Barbadian (Bajan) Cuisine: St. James Modern Caribbean (U Street Corridor) – A stylish Caribbean restaurant serving dishes like flying fish, cou-cou, jerk meats, and rum-infused cocktails.

On April 9th come join Hyde-Addison families as we showcase all the various cultures, cuisines, and traditions that make up our community. Last year families traveled around the school gym visiting colorfully decorated tables, tasting delicious food and learning all about different countries around the world. Be sure not to miss this year’s International Night!

Did your student celebrate any holidays or traditions related to their culture, race, or ethnicity this month? Please share any photos or videos related to your celebrations via email: hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov.