Additional Happenings
The members of the IAR community are always busy spreading awareness and understanding of diversity and encouraging equity. This page will feature some of the happenings at our school.
The members of the IAR community are always busy spreading awareness and understanding of diversity and encouraging equity. This page will feature some of the happenings at our school.
In regard to recent events in America...
In regard to recent events in America...
The National Museum of African American History and Culture Releases “Talking About Race” Web Portal
The National Museum of African American History and Culture Releases “Talking About Race” Web Portal
On June 4, many members of our school, including Equity Leadership Group and Diversity Group students and teachers attended the BLM Protest at the Town Hall/FHS. A few of our students stood up and spoke to the gatherers about their thoughts and feelings related to recent events. We are very proud of them, as well as our whole community.
On June 4, many members of our school, including Equity Leadership Group and Diversity Group students and teachers attended the BLM Protest at the Town Hall/FHS. A few of our students stood up and spoke to the gatherers about their thoughts and feelings related to recent events. We are very proud of them, as well as our whole community.
Sesame Street Town Hall Meeting for Families:
Sesame Street Town Hall Meeting for Families:
Ms. Irizarry's Message to Our Community
Ms. Irizarry's Message to Our Community
Equity and Connected Learning
Equity and Connected Learning
Administrators, teachers, and staff members have worked tirelessly to connect with all students and families.
Administrators, teachers, and staff members have worked tirelessly to connect with all students and families.
This includes, but is not limited to, emails home, mailings home, providing Chromebooks and other technology to families in need, updating Google Classroom, updating Team websites, posting on Twitter, etc.
This includes, but is not limited to, emails home, mailings home, providing Chromebooks and other technology to families in need, updating Google Classroom, updating Team websites, posting on Twitter, etc.
It is our goal to help and support all members of the IAR community as this situation progresses.
It is our goal to help and support all members of the IAR community as this situation progresses.
As an 8th grade team, we have provided culturally diverse learning opportunities beyond our respective curricula:
As an 8th grade team, we have provided culturally diverse learning opportunities beyond our respective curricula:
Hispanic Heritage month- students read a book about Spanish culture during Sept/Oct Independent Reading. Discussed Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day/El Día de la Raza.
Hispanic Heritage month- students read a book about Spanish culture during Sept/Oct Independent Reading. Discussed Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day/El Día de la Raza.
Global Read Aloud- students read The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman about four Indian children living on the streets of Chennai, India during Oct/Nov Independent Reading
Global Read Aloud- students read The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman about four Indian children living on the streets of Chennai, India during Oct/Nov Independent Reading
Prior to Thanksgiving break, we offered students choices about which movie to watch during our Trimester 1 Team Celebration (The Sandlot, Shazam, The Hate U Give, Coco, or The Pursuit of Happyness).
Prior to Thanksgiving break, we offered students choices about which movie to watch during our Trimester 1 Team Celebration (The Sandlot, Shazam, The Hate U Give, Coco, or The Pursuit of Happyness).
Social Justice Books- students read books and examined times in history when there was inequity (ie: race, gender, sexuality, religion, wealth, ability) during Jan/Feb Independent Reading
Social Justice Books- students read books and examined times in history when there was inequity (ie: race, gender, sexuality, religion, wealth, ability) during Jan/Feb Independent Reading
Black History Month- Students read and memorized poems/lyrics by African American poets/lyricists and participated in a poetry slam during Feb Independent Reading.
Black History Month- Students read and memorized poems/lyrics by African American poets/lyricists and participated in a poetry slam during Feb Independent Reading.
Celebrate Social Justice- Students began with a Team wide poetry slam based on HR nominations. We watched Harriet as a team. Students chose from a menu of options: Spirituals, Ghanaian music/percussion/dance, Step Team (run by ST advisor & IAR Step Team members), Art inspired by Titus Kaphar, Mancala (Ethiopian game), or Create an equity slogan (inspired by the Civil Rights Movement pins/buttons/poster) for #USvsHate (Teaching Tolerance contest).
Celebrate Social Justice- Students began with a Team wide poetry slam based on HR nominations. We watched Harriet as a team. Students chose from a menu of options: Spirituals, Ghanaian music/percussion/dance, Step Team (run by ST advisor & IAR Step Team members), Art inspired by Titus Kaphar, Mancala (Ethiopian game), or Create an equity slogan (inspired by the Civil Rights Movement pins/buttons/poster) for #USvsHate (Teaching Tolerance contest).
Happy Lunar (Chinese) New Year!
Happy Lunar (Chinese) New Year!
Students from period 1 and 7 Social Studies on Team C, who celebrate Chinese New Year, shared their culture with their peers. They made an announcement to the entire school, during homeroom, that gave information about the holiday and how it is practiced. Then, in their classes, they showed their peers a GoogleSlides presentation that they created and expanded on the topic of Chinese New Year (for example: important foods that symbolize good wishes for the coming year). They also spoke in different Chinese dialects and taught their peers how to say phrases, like "Happy New Year." They did a great job sharing their culture with their peers!
Students from period 1 and 7 Social Studies on Team C, who celebrate Chinese New Year, shared their culture with their peers. They made an announcement to the entire school, during homeroom, that gave information about the holiday and how it is practiced. Then, in their classes, they showed their peers a GoogleSlides presentation that they created and expanded on the topic of Chinese New Year (for example: important foods that symbolize good wishes for the coming year). They also spoke in different Chinese dialects and taught their peers how to say phrases, like "Happy New Year." They did a great job sharing their culture with their peers!
TO BE RESCHEDULED - Postponed due to Snow Day - on December 17th - Connecticut State Representative, Bobby Gibson was due to speak to IAR's Social Studies and Language Arts Faculty about teaching the African American experience. Rep. Gibson is a middle school teacher and was the sponsor a bill that was recently passed into CT state law requiring curriculum on African American, Black, Puerto Rican and Latino Studies.
TO BE RESCHEDULED - Postponed due to Snow Day - on December 17th - Connecticut State Representative, Bobby Gibson was due to speak to IAR's Social Studies and Language Arts Faculty about teaching the African American experience. Rep. Gibson is a middle school teacher and was the sponsor a bill that was recently passed into CT state law requiring curriculum on African American, Black, Puerto Rican and Latino Studies.
On Friday, January 10, Seventh Grade Social Studies classes welcomed presenters from the FHS Indian Student Union and the FHS Muslim Student Union. They will share their culture with us, as we are currently exploring the culture and traditions of South Asia.
On Friday, January 10, Seventh Grade Social Studies classes welcomed presenters from the FHS Indian Student Union and the FHS Muslim Student Union. They will share their culture with us, as we are currently exploring the culture and traditions of South Asia.