The E.A.S.E Initiative
Early Anti Semitism Education
About Me
Hi! I'm Sarah Marzugi, a sophomore at HHS. Since I was little, I've always been very passionate about fighting discrimination and hate. When I moved to Holliston in Eighth grade, I noticed a large amount of casual anti-Semitism among students and felt strongly that something needed to change. After researching, I found that the change I was looking for was in our middle school curriculum. Especially with recent developments in the Middle East, people who hear about my project and I are surprised to learn that I am Muslim. However, you don't have to be Jewish to care about anti-Semitism. Perpetuating stereotypes is always wrong, no matter who it's against.
What is the E.A.S.E Initiative?
The E.A.S.E Initiative is a project aimed at preventing anti-Semitism and inspiring students to fight hate through improving, extending, and making an explicit place for a high-quality education on anti-Semitism and the Holocaust in the middle schools' 8th-grade curriculum.
Why?
Anti-Semitism is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue in our community, and rising worldwide. Some of the most common causes of anti-Semitism in students are home life, social media pipelines, and mental health- all risk factors that schools can't directly prevent (but can try to mitigate). However, the risk factor that allows for all this, a lack of quality education on anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, is something that schools can have control over if the 8th-grade standards included it. Studies show that depending on the timing of the education, its length, quality, and how engaged the teacher is, this education can not only prevent anti-Semitism in adolescence but inspire the youth to be anti-hate in general as well. You can read more about this issue in my Community Need Pitch presentation.
Project Goal
The E.A.S.E initiative hopes to enact a change in state-wide 8th-grade standards that makes education about anti-Semitism and the Holocaust longer, of higher quality, and more explicit in the curriculum. This goal will be achieved through communicating with state officials and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Me, about to speak at the Nov. 21st BESE meeting! -->
Project Progress
Originally, the project intended to make a change in just how Holliston Public Schools taught anti-Semitism and the Holocaust in 8th grade. However, after meeting with curriculum coordinators, I learned that the necessary change would have to be made in the state standards. After reflecting, reevaluating goals, researching more about how to make this education effective, and researching DESE, I met with our school principal, Mr. List, and decided on speaking as a guest speaker during their November 21st meeting to propose this change. I plan on meeting with Assistant Superintendent Dr. Menard to talk more about my project, and I have also reached out to state representative Jeffery Roy to discuss a potential partnership.
Updates:
November 17th-
Received a response from Mr. Roy
November 21st-
Spoke at the November 21st DESE meeting! You can watch the meeting at https://livestream.com/madesestreaming/events/11025261 (I speak at 26:45)
November 29th-
Sent an email to schedule a meeting with Mr. Roy and Mr. Arena-DeRosa
December 5th-
Meeting scheduled with them
December 8th-
Scheduled meeting with Holliston Superintendent Dr. Kustka
Community Partners
Mr. Hicks
Mr. Hicks is a curriculum coordinator at Holliston Public Schools. I've met with him to learn about what I can do to achieve the change I hope for, potential barriers, and more about the curriculum and state standards.
Ms. Conahan
Ms. Conahan is a curriculum coordinator at Holliston Public Schools and former English teacher. I've met with her to learn about what I can do to achieve the change I hope for, potential barriers, and more about the curriculum and state standards.
Mr. List
Mr. List is the principal of Holliston High School. I've met with him to discuss more about my project, and I learned about what I should do and include in my speech to DESE to make a convincing case. He will attend the meeting on the 20th to show support.
Jeffrey Roy
Jeffrey Roy is the state representative who created the Massachusetts Genocide Education Bill H.692. His bill aligns with my goals, so I reached out to him to discuss a potential partnership with him or other state representatives/legislators who may be interested in my project.
PSA
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Get Involved
Follow the initiative (@the.ease.initiative) on Instagram to show support, reach out, and find ways you can help push for a change, too!
Anonymously report hate speech when you see or hear it!