Nov 2024

AB/AR for All: Honoring our Humanity - 2024-2025 Theme

As we begin the 2024-2025 academic year, we are proud to focus on "AB/AR for All: Honoring our Humanity," emphasizing accessibility, belonging, and anti-racism. This theme reflects our commitment to creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued and respected.

We are thrilled to announce the winner of our "Soy Asombroso" Creative Challenge — Kirsten Deetz from Burbank Elementary School! 🎉

As a follow-up to the incredible "Soy Asombroso (I Am Amazing)" concert that provided over 530 HUSD students with an inspiring, live celebration of cultural pride, self-esteem, and the power of embracing one’s identity, we invited staff to share their creative ideas for keeping that spirit alive. Each student left the event with a message about Latinx history, racial pride, and the importance of racial unity, and Kirsten’s idea perfectly embodies that continuing energy.

Check out some photos here!

Kirsten proposed a fantastic brain break activity using the song Baile De Diego, which has a fun, bilingual Cha Cha Slide vibe. Her plan to take a big Bluetooth speaker (earned from her participation in Art is Education dance class) to the playground and get students dancing is an inspiring way to extend the joy and cultural pride from the concert into daily school life!

A special thank you also goes to Heather Figueroa and the Mt. Eden High School administrative team for their support in making the concert such a success. Your efforts made this empowering experience possible for our students and community!

Did you know that November is National Native American Heritage Month? 

Last month on Oct. 14th many people celebrated Indigenous People's Day (instead of Columbus Day). 

What do you think about all of this? Throughout the month of November, we’ll be honoring and celebrating the rich history, culture, and contributions of Native American communities. A great way to celebrate Native American Heritage Month is by engaging with Native American history, culture, and traditions. 

Here are some ideas to get started: 

Watch a documentary about Native American history, activism, or modern-day issues facing Indigenous communities. This can help you understand the challenges and contributions of Native peoples. 

Share what you’ve learned with friends and family. Whether it's a fact, story, or tradition, spreading awareness is a great way to honor Native communities. 

Research the Indigenous history of your local area. Learn about the tribes who originally inhabited the land where you live, and explore their history and culture. 

Support Native artists, musicians, and businesses. Look for ways to uplift Native creators by purchasing from Native-owned shops or sharing their work. 

Attend local events or virtual celebrations for Native American Heritage Month. Many organizations host workshops, performances, or discussions throughout November. 

Reflect on Indigenous contributions to society, including art, literature, agriculture, and environmental stewardship, and consider how these have shaped the world around you. 

Advocate for Native American rights and issues. Learn about ongoing struggles Indigenous communities face, such as land rights and sovereignty, and find ways to support these causes 

Follow-Up to Mandatory AB/AR PD & Opportunities for Further Involvement

We are excited to share a new initiative developed by the HUSD T4BL PLC (Teaching for Black Lives Professional Learning Community). Thanks to all who weighed in on our first weekly "problem of practice" focused on eliminating the n-word, anti-Blackness, and all forms of hate speech within our schools. These scenarios are designed to spark reflective discussions among adults in our district, helping to deepen our understanding and application of the newly adopted policy. 

See our second offering here!

Scenario #1 Recap with Made in Hayward Advice: There is a misconception that our new policy bans the use of books with the n-word in it. Banning such texts may remove an important opportunity for students to engage with stories that reflect relevant social and racial issues they may relate to. See #10 in this resource provided from our first AB/AR PD this year. See here for Made in Hayward Responses to this particular scenario. 

In fact, Dr. Cofield and AB/AR Influencer Maya Walker piloted an approach at HHS on how to navigate sensitive language in literature, which was well-received, and subsequently created a resource to help guide teachers through this challenge. 

Related Resource: Classroom Guidance for Racially Sensitive Literature

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!!

Celebrate National Native American Heritage Month!

Here are some resources to support you as you do with your students!