HSD Equity and Inclusion Updates

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

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. I love the tradition of sharing a meal with family and friends and the only gifts given are those of time and stories. But learning the real history of Thanksgiving has given me pause in my celebrations.

Often, Thanksgiving is portrayed in movies, books, and in schools as an idyllic feast between pilgrims and Native Americans. This story is written from the perspective of the European colonists. What if we considered the Native American perspective of this tradition and why some of them consider this day the National Native Day of Mourning. The United American Indians of New England believe that “Thanksgiving day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture."

If you are learning about this for the first time, please take a minute to READ this article from Native Hope.

Traditions are an important part of feeling connected and belonging. How then do we continue traditions that we deeply value while knowing that the day we are celebrating harmed and continue to harm so many Indigenous people. For me, learning as much as I can and sharing this information with others is an important step to holding these two truths.

Here are some simple things you can do:

• Ask yourself and your family these questions:
• Whose ancestral lands are you living on that are now occupied by the US? You can use this interactive map to find out.
• What do you know about where your own ancestors came from and how they came to the land where you/they live currently?
• Visit the Hood Museum, which is currently exhibiting Indigenous Art
• Support Indigenous-owned businesses (including authors, film makers, artists, etc.)

Dear HSD Community Members,

As we approach the holiday season, we want to take a moment to share our thoughts on how we will be celebrating and learning together during this time of year. While many of us may associate this period with certain mainstream holidays, we are committed to creating a space where all cultural traditions and celebrations are valued, recognized, and celebrated.

Our school is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment, and as part of that commitment, we are making a concerted effort to decenter the focus on any one holiday or tradition. Instead, we aim to broaden our understanding by learning about the diverse ways that people across the world celebrate, reflect, and come together during this time.

Our hope is that students will have the opportunity to explore a variety of holidays, cultural practices, and traditions—some that may be familiar and others that may be new to them. This approach will help to enrich our community’s understanding of the world, deepen empathy, and encourage a spirit of inclusivity. Each school in the HSD will have a 2025 multicultural calendar, which will provide a wealth of information and opportunity to learn together throughout the school year.

We encourage families to share their own traditions, stories, and celebrations with us so that our collective learning can be as diverse and representative as possible. Whether it's a unique holiday, a family tradition, or a personal reflection on the season, all contributions are welcome.

Thank you for your support in making our school a place where every tradition, belief, and culture is celebrated. We look forward to learning together and fostering a sense of community that is rich in understanding, kindness, and respect.

December is Universal Human Rights Month
December 1-24 - Advent

December 3 - International Day of Persons with Disabilities

December 8 - Bodhi Day

December 10 - Human Rights Day

December 21 - Winter Solstice

December 25 - Christmas

December 25 - January 2 - Hanukkah

December 26 - January 1 - Kwanzaa

December 29 - Wounded Knee Day

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!