Dear Parents and Families,

The English department’s work with students is centered on developing thinking, reading, and writing skills with the goal of helping students meet the district’s vision of Students as Learners and Global Citizens.  Towards that end, we are engaged in the following work:

• continuing our emphasis on perspective and voice in both reading and writing

• providing opportunities for students to engage with diverse perspectives through expanding our reading lists and expectations for independent reading

• creating additional essential questions related to anti-bias,  and anti-racism to help us reframe the way we examine all texts

• supporting students in applying critical thinking and questioning to the study of all texts

• providing opportunities and tools (resources, language, class norms) for students to engage in discourse, understanding that sometimes conversations may be uncomfortable or challenging/difficult

Sincerely,

Deb Perry

Director of English Curriculum, K-12