October 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.

Our AB/AR Mandatory Professional Learning Series will address the use of the n-word, anti-Black slurs, and all hate speech through a three-part series designed to engage staff in understanding the issue, proposing solutions, and implementing positive changes. We are also engaging students, parents, and caregivers through workshops and resources, ensuring a united community effort toward equity and anti-racism.

• Check out feedback tour photos here

Last month commenced the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month and through the middle of October we will continue to honor Latinx Heritage throughout the district. 

• Join the Soy Asombroso SchoolYardRap Full Concert this Monday, Sept. 30th at 7pm. RSVP here for free tickets to this incredible experience!

Throughout October we will also observe Filipino American History Month. 

Celebrate with us at the PAC on Oct. 5th. RSVP here for more information! 

Last month kicked off National Hispanic Heritage Month, and we’re excited to keep celebrating Latinx heritage through the middle of October. We know many schools are already honoring NHHM with special events, like Read-In programs that bring the community into classrooms to share stories and celebrate Latinx culture. 

• Check out some photos here from Burbank and Longwood

To continue this celebration, we’re inviting you to the Soy Asombroso concert—a vibrant event filled with music and storytelling that highlights the pride and history of Latinx heritage.

Don’t miss out on this amazing experience—join us and be part of the celebration!

We hope to see you there! You can RSVP Here.

Did you know that October is also Filipino American History Month (FAHM)? All throughout the month, we'll be observing and celebrating the rich history and contributions of the Filipino American community. A cool suggestion is to take some time to learn about Filipino American history. Maybe read a book, watch a documentary, or share something new with your friends. It’s all about embracing and understanding the stories that shape us!

And consider joining our district FAHM celebration Oct. 5th - see here for more information. 

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

Thank you again for your participation in the Mandatory PD on September 10. As we continue to shape the newly adopted policy that will guide our district, I want to remind you that your feedback is still invaluable. If you haven’t yet had the chance, please take a moment to share your thoughts, as this will help inform the development of our Administrative Regulations to accompany the policy. 

This year, our AB/AR initiative is centered on Honoring our Humanity with a specific focus on targeting Anti-Blackness in HUSD. While the mandatory PD is a critical step in this work, I want to extend an invitation to those who wish to get more involved beyond the three-part series.

Here are five additional intentional follow-up opportunities to engage in deeper work:

1. Equity Oversight Committee (EOC) - Policy Administrative Regulation Development (i.e. implementation plan) (sign up forthcoming)

2. AB/AR Influencers  (sign up here)

3. HUSD Teaching for Black Lives (T4BL) Professional Learning Community (PLC) - Curriculum Development (sign up here)

4. Race-Work PD Series to follow the Jan. AB/AR PD session (sign up here) 

5. Khepera Curriculum Group PD Series to follow the Mar. AB/AR PD session  (sign up here)

If any of these opportunities interest you, feel free to reach out for more details to ccofield@husd.us.  Let’s continue this important work together as we Honor our Humanity and create a more equitable environment for all!

As we begin the 2024-2025 school year, we are proud to focus on the theme of "AB/AR for All: Honoring our Humanity," which emphasizes accessibility, belonging, and anti-racism for everyone in our school community. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where every student feels valued, respected, and included.

To support this, our AB/AR (Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism) Mandatory Professional Learning Series for all staff addresses important issues, including the use of the n-word, anti-Black slurs, and all forms of hate speech. Through this three-part series, we are working with our staff to understand these challenges, propose solutions, and implement positive changes. 

We are also actively engaging students, parents, and caregivers with workshops and resources, ensuring that together we build a strong, united effort toward equity and anti-racism in our schools. We will continue to host opportunities like our Community Connect events and AASAI Presentation to discuss this and get your feedback. 

• If you haven’t yet had the chance, please take a moment to share your thoughts, as this will help inform the development of our Administrative Regulations to accompany the policy. 

• Check out some photos here

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and Filipino American History Month!

We’re excited to continue celebrating Latinx heritage through October, with schools hosting special events like Read-Ins. 

• Join us for the Soy Asombroso concert, featuring music and storytelling that celebrate Latinx pride and culture. Don’t miss out—RSVP here!

October is also Filipino American History Month! Take time to learn about Filipino American history through books, documentaries, or conversations. 

• And don’t forget to join our district FAHM celebration on October 5th—more info here!

Thank you for your continued support as we work toward a more inclusive community!