Happy New Year!

As we start 2023, I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your intentional equity work. In January of 2020 our School Board adopted our racial equity policy which led to our District Equity Plan.

This plan set common goals and visions for racial justice across our district:

• To demonstrate our district’s commitment to achieving equitable outcomes for
• students of color – outcomes must not be predictable by race or ethnicity
• To ensure that every student in our district feels welcome, safe, valued, and has an honored identity in our schools
• To facilitate open communication and meaningful dialogue with families and
• communities of color
• To provide a mechanism for both accountability and transparency in advancing
• equity

I truly believe that we must commit to removing barriers that prevent students from reaching their full potential. Together, as a district, through an unapologetic focus we will strive to ensure that all of our students are welcomed, safe, supported and truly have an identity in our schools. Your dedication, leadership and voice in our equity work has been and will continue to be essential! Although we have made tremendous gains there is still much work for us all to ensure we meet the goals listed above and we eliminate disproportionate outcomes throughout our District!

Thank you for your commitment to this important work and your belief in every student!

Let's make 2023 a great year!

Ken

As we kick off 2023, we hope you have a renewed sense of how important the work you do is and the lasting impact you have on students. This is why continued growth and improvement matter. Because we affect the lives of students, we must also renew our resolve to refine our teaching practices in response to the needs of our students as the world around us changes. Small adjustments can refresh old practices. Asking equity questions about curriculum and lesson plans can provide new insights. This is hard but important work. As you make new year's resolutions, can you resolve to make a change in your classroom by introducing a strategy or practice you've not tried before? CRT 25 can be found below as an example. There are endless other resources on websites such as Edutopia or Mathematica.

Dia de los Reyes Magos, January 6th

In many Latinx countries and to many Latinx Americans Epiphany, or Dia de los Reyes Magos, is traditionally a bigger celebration than Christmas. For children, this is a time that is awaited eagerly. It commemorates the three wise men from the Christmas story and the gifts they brought to share with baby Jesus. This cultural celebration is when many Latinx children traditionally receive gifts.

MLK Jr. Day, January 15th (observed the 16th)

It is undeniable that Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most profoundly influential figures in our history as a nation, especially in paving the way for racial justice awareness. Though many came before and many continue to carve a path forward, Dr. King’s famous speeches and peaceful resistance strategies deeply impacted the reckoning our nation faced and continues to face, even today. Much of his writing reverberates in our current day world as love and truth that cannot be denied yet continues to be neglected. As the man himself said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

Lunar New Year, January 22nd

Though most commonly associated with China, the Lunar New Year is celebrated by many East Asian countries and beyond. The celebration welcomes the spring with a 15 day celebration marked by many traditions such as festivals, red paper decorations, open air markets, symbolic dishes such as whole fish symbolizing abundance and others that represent good luck and fortune. The celebration ends on the 15th day with a Lantern Festival and sweet rice balls to eat.

Click below for lesson plan resources

On January 20 from 5:30-7:30pm in the South cafeteria at DDHS, join other staff, students, families and members of the community for our very own Lunar New Year celebration! What a wonderful way to embrace the cultures and traditions of so many of our students with Asian heritage. There are volunteer opportunities to help put on this event. Please email aide_valeriojuarez@ddsd40.org or jean_ulysse@ddsd40.org to sign up to volunteer. Or simply stop by the event to show your support of our students and families.

Amo is first generation from Las Vegas, Nevada, of Yaqui-Pasqua Indigenous Mexican and Jewish (Spain) descent. They are bilingual (Spanish) and identify as Two Spirit and LGBTQ+.

Amo’s journey in equity began at age 5 helping their parents learn English and earn their U.S. citizenship. Amo chose to become an Equity in Education Specialist to support BIPOC & LGBTQ+ Youth, when they became a widow in 2016. This life-affirming journey has included being the GYO Navigator for Portland Community College, an Education Specialist for New Avenues for Youth, a Lead Instructor, Spanish + Art Specialist for Kindercare, and an art instructor at Portland Community College. As the GYO Adviser for David Douglas, Amo splits their time between the district building and David Douglas High School, helping students and classified staff of color become licensed educators.

Amo explains, “My main goal is being the GYO student’s cheerleader and heart holder. Each student will have a unique pathway to licensure and it is an honor to be along for the ride." Amo is an interdisciplinary artist with an MFA from Portland State; with exhibitions planned for Summer 2023: a solx art exhibit of visual art at Lloyd Arts District, and a musical performance on indigenous Mexican grief at Portland Center Stage.

Please say hi to Amo! And, if you or one of your students of color are interested in becoming a licensed educator, Amo will connect you to opportunities, schools, peers, mentors and other resources, while celebrating your path to licensure.

The image below is a link to CRT #25. These bite sized PD's were originally started by Francesca Aultman and have more recently been created by members of the district curriculum team. We will try to add one to each newsletter in efforts to provide you with easy access to culturally responsive teaching practices.

Below you will find Menlo Park's town hall recording, which includes two 5th graders and a parent. You can find other town hall videos on the district website at this link.