EquityMatters!
What is the role of a newsletter called EquityMatters! in moments like this?
Dear Colleagues,
Addressing the horrific events in Israel and Gaza has proven to be a challenge for school districts and universities around the country. It is no surprise that many educators would rather stay clear. Get it wrong, we risk causing harm to students, families, and staff on all sides. For example, the messages sent by MCPS elicited a range of reactions. Some found them not strong enough. Some found them too strong, while others felt harmed.
Remaining bystanders or ignoring these issues, however, is not an option. Our students are moving forward without us. Many are directly impacted and others are trying to grapple with what they see on social media and in the news.
In the September edition of EquityMatters, we reminded readers that Dr. McKnight charged all of us to “uncover how our policies, practices, and structures must CHANGE…how WE must change… so that ALL 162,601 of our students are wrapped in BELONGING ..." In such moments, it is right to ask ourselves, "What is the role of our school district, principals, and classroom teachers, and, for this space? What role does EquityMatters play?"
We don’t have all the answers. What we can offer are resources and a forum to discuss these questions together as a community. We welcome your thoughts as we find solutions together that will have a positive impact on our students. Please add your ideas here.
As we work to foster an inclusive, equitable, and antiracist school district, we must continue to address the impact of systemic racism in MCPS and acknowledge that there are many tragic events around the world every day that impact our students, their families, and our colleagues. We have to understand what they are going through to truly have them “wrapped in belonging.”
Next Steps:
Please review these resources,
Check in with your colleagues and students who may be impacted by the war.
A cross-office committee has been organized to create a process and regulations for how MCPS addresses national and international events. Staff, students, and community members will be consulted throughout the process. The goal is to ensure we have processes in place BEFORE something happens.
A facilitator training is being organized by the Equity Initiatives Unit for students and staff who want to learn how to lead productive dialogue on challenging Issues. More Information to follow.
In this Edition
Holidays & Celebrations
If we are going to wrap all our students in belonging, we need to know our students. One small way is to be aware of the different cultural and religious events that they celebrate.
Click on the Holidays and Commemorations Button below to review dates and resources for various holidays and celebrations throughout the school year. Use the calendar to think about when your students may be impacted, to help plan lessons, or to create connections with students, families, or colleagues.
diwali
Thousands of MCPS families celebrate Diwali. It begins on Sunday, November 12 and lasts for five days.
Watch the video to hear Kanan Shah and her children explain Diwali. Ms. Shah is an MCPS Occupational Therapist and parent of two MCPS students.
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month. Taking the time to deepen your knowledge is vital to becoming antiracist.
The video to the right says...
"Native peoples have lived on this land for more than 10,000 years. We're often referred to in the history books in the past tense. But here we are in the present and we're going full force. We're scientists, we're engineers, we're doctors, we are doing things to make a difference in this world."
Watch the video and think about the following questions:
How does the video confirm or challenge your perceptions?
In what way do your practices and beliefs contribute to supporting or ignoring the contributions of Native Americans?
Antiracist & Culturally Responsive Family Engagement
Antiracist and culturally responsive family engagement will be a theme of EquityMatters! throughout this year. As noted in the September edition and the Antiracist System Audit, "some families perceive that the district intentionally miscommunicates with families of color about scheduled events, enrichment and college and career programs, updates on academics, conflicts involving students, and expectations of parents."
This fall, many MCPS offices and schools have been rethinking their engagement practices. They have used the Family Engagement Module and the Antiracist and Culturally Responsive Family Engagement Planning Tool to ensure they are being intentional about their practice.
The two videos to the right show school-based and central office examples of intentional, culturally responsive family engagement.
Consider the following questions as you watch:
What was the goal of the engagement?
What did they do differently and why did they do it?
Were they successful in meeting the goal and where is there room for growth?
Tools and Resources
Dr. Joan's Gems
For each EquityMatters! issue, Equity Initiatives Instructional Specialist, Dr. Joan Mory, will provide new, specific resources (articles, strategies, videos, techniques, activators, etc.) that can be used at meetings, in planning, and in the classroom, home or community. They will address different themes associated with teaching, learning, and leading.
This issue will focus on the value and importance of building strong, positive relationships with parents/guardians, caregivers, and families. It also provides useful resources for Parent-Teacher conferences.
Getting Ready for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Monday, November 20 and Tuesday, November 21. How will you be intentional about engaging your focus families? Are you intentional about the impact of racism and culture on whether families participate or feel heard? Consider the following:
Many families are stressed, tired, and dealing with issues like everyone else. Others are nervous about speaking with educators or worried that they won't understand.
Some families come from cultures in which it is the teacher's job to teach. Parents and caregivers were not supposed to be partners in educating their children.
Make this the start of a conversation. You don’t need to get through everything.
Don't use acronyms or educational language.
The parent/teacher conference should be useful and informative for the parents and the teacher, in support of the student. Check out this article about preparing a short pre-conference survey to find out what’s important to parents, what they want to get out of the conference, and how to follow up on your conferences. Please see the resource guides below that could help parents and teachers get the most out of the meeting. They are also available on the MCPS Parent Resource page.
Elementary Schools (English)
español / 中文 / français / tiếng Việt / 한국어 / አማርኛ / portugueseMiddle School (English)
español / 中文 / français / tiếng Việt / 한국어 / አማርኛ / portuguese
español / 中文 / français / tiếng Việt / 한국어 / አማርኛ / portuguese
Below are two resources that you can use on your own or with your colleagues. One is a short video in which Latino students from MCPS discuss what their parents tell them about education. The second is an article that discusses the exhaustion for some Black families when engaging with schools. We provided reflection and discussion questions for each. Use these resources to inform your planning with the Antiracist and Culturally Responsive Family Engagement Planning Tool.
DIalogue to Create an Inclusive & Equitable School Community
The Study Circles Program provides students, parents, and school staff with a process to develop the relationships, awareness, and skills necessary to engage in productive dialogue around challenging issues.
The Equity Initiatives Unit provides trained facilitators, curriculum, and coaching. We have formats for leadership teams, professional learning communities, parents, staff, and students. The dialogue process helps participants to:
Build relationships and empathy across racial and cultural differences
Develop skills to discuss and listen to a broad range of racial and cultural experiences and perspectives
Utilize a framework to identify beliefs, practices, and policies that contribute to racial and cultural disparities
Develop an action plan for inclusivity.
Please Give us your feedback
Your feedback helps us to make EquityMatters! a resource that Is more useful for all members of the MCPS community.