For several years, our district has celebrated Black Lives Matter at School: A Day of Understanding & Affirmation in February. The Rochester Board of Education passed a resolution to proclaim the day in 2017. The resolutions stated that schools “should be places for the practice of equity, for the building of understanding, and for the active engagement of all in creating pathways to freedom and justice for all people.” It is our hope that teachers, students and schools will create opportunities to “explore and grapple with the past, present, and future status of Black lives in our society and to affirm that status as equal to, and not secondary to, the lives of others.”
Since our original celebration in the district, there has been a larger movement in the country to celebrate Black Lives Matter at School week - this year from February 3rd through 7th. Visit the official Black Lives Matter at School site for more information about the national movement.
As educators, we need to have courageous, honest dialogues about race, and about what is happening in our society and in our students’ lives. Building strong relationships with students and colleagues is a critical component of our work to know “Every Student By Face and Name. Every School, Every Classroom. To and Through Graduation.” This page is intended to provide you with resources to use in preparing to participate in this day of affirmation if you choose to do so. Thank you for partnering with us in this work to improve the Rochester community.