FAQ

What is the Parent Race Equity Task Force?

The Parent Race Equity (RE) Task Force is an all-volunteer, parent-led group at John Stanford International School. The mission of the group is to challenge, interrupt, and dismantle racism, bias, and white supremacy; promote racial equity; and ensure that JSIS provides a safe and nurturing space for all students, parents, staff, and  other members of the school community. (See full mission statement in the About tab.)

Is it a PTSA committee?

No. The Parent RE Task Force works closely with the PTSA but it is a separate entity. The PTSA includes funds for race and equity activities in their budget, and has created this online space for us on their website. 

We think it’s important to remain separate from but work closely with the PTSA. One of the main purposes of the Parent RE Task Force is to disrupt systems of racism, and remaining separate from the PTSA is essential for this purpose.

There is a position on the PTSA board for Diversity/Equity/Inclusion chair, but it has been unfilled for some years now (please check the Volunteer page on this site for a current list of open positions). 

Do you fundraise?

No. Since 2019, we have received dedicated funds from the PTSA. It’s important for parents to show support for this work so these funds are renewed year after year.

Why was the Parent RE Task Force formed?

After a series of racist incidents with students in the fall of 2018, a group of parents of Black students at JSIS developed a proposal requesting JSIS provide: 

1. Parent education on race equity issues 

2. Student education on race equity issues

3. Policy/procedure clarification for racialized harassment incidents

Two other parents, Ann Ishimaru and Naho Shioya, both professionals in the field, volunteered to lead a conversation with parents on race and racism at school. SPS representatives came to speak about district policy, as did JSIS administrators. The event was well attended and soon after, Ann and Naho plus Juan Pablo Recinos and Teresa Kessenich-Chase (then PTSA Co-Directors of Community Development) formed the Parent RE Task Force. The goal was to move the school community forward in its race equity journey, and urge the school to follow through on the Parents of Black Students (PBS) proposal.

Read the full PBS proposal. 

Is there a leader?

Yes, there is a shared leadership team. The roles in the leadership are loose and based on the time each parent can give to the group. Because the group was formed organically, there’s not a formal process for electing leaders or choosing roles. We strive to have equitable representation, but have no formal process to do so. We currently accept any parent who wants to volunteer. 

How do you ensure equitable representation among the leadership team?

We strongly encourage BIPOC parents to join the leadership team, but we also acknowledge that the weight of this work cannot be carried by BIPOC parents alone. White parents need to do the work as well. In the future, we are open to a more formal process for creating and structuring leadership.

What has the Parent RE Task Force done?

 As a task force we:

• Secured funds from the PTSA to address the PBS proposal (2019-present)

• Worked with JSIS staff to create better messaging for kids that can be used at school and at home (ongoing)

• Organized a training for parents with Tracy Castro-Gill (2019). See presentation slides here.

• Secured funds for books in the library about race and equity (2019)

• Celebrated Juneteenth and showed solidarity with the BLM movement by organizing a protest and support sign mural at JSIS (2020; 2021)

• Compiled and sent information and at-home activities for families in support of the Year of Purpose lessons at school (2020-21)

• Hosted a school-wide assembly featuring Delbert Richardson’s American History Traveling Museum: Unspoken Truths (2021)

• Developed and promoted a JSIS Anti-racism Pledge (2021)

• Are educating ourselves and others about district and school policies and procedures related to racialized harassment, bullying, and hate speech (ongoing)

Where can I find resources to talk to my kids about race?

1. These sites have excellent resources for talking to kids about race:

   1. Embrace Race (webinars and reading)

   2. Learning for Justice (reading)

   3. BLM Year of Purpose (curriculum and resources)

   4. We Need Diverse Books (book lists and links to reading)

2. Podcasts:

   1. Nice White Parents, Episode 1

   2. Code Switch: The Kids are Alright 

3. Check out the JSIS Anti-racism Pledge resource list 

4. See also the BLM Year of Purpose parent support documents 

What is RET?

RET stands for Racial Equity Team. It is an SPS-organized, teacher-led group. The Parent RE Task Force regularly communicates with JSIS RET. 

From the SPS website:

“The goal of the implementation of Racial Equity Teams is to support a school-led effort to create a strong, sustainable and effective Racial Equity Team to advance racial equity by:

1. Aligning with District-wide efforts to implement the ”Ensuring Educational and Racial Equity” Policy to eliminate racial disproportionality in graduation and discipline rates,

2. Building capacity among principal, teachers, staff, and students in transforming school policies and practices,

3. Strengthening the voices and participation of students, families and community to inform school policies, practices and procedures.”

See the SPS RET webpage for more information.

Is there a race and equity curriculum at JSIS?

In the 2019-20 school year, SPS implemented ethnic studies across k-12. The curriculum was informal. Each teacher could use their own discretion in lesson planning and were only required to do one lesson a month.

In the 2020-21 school year, JSIS adopted the Black Lives Matter at School: Year of Purpose. In its first year, the curriculum was outlined by the Year of Purpose organizers, with themes and principles highlighted throughout the school year. Teachers used their own discretion in how they presented these lessons to their students. The Parent Race Equity Task Force formed a small workgroup of parents to prepare information and activities for parents to talk about and build upon the lessons from school. See the BLM Year of Purpose parent support documents.

How can I show my support and get involved?

• Create and seize opportunities to talk with your kids about race and equity

• Take the JSIS Anti-racism Pledge! 

• Join our mailing list for meeting reminders and announcements

• Attend our quarterly community meetings

• Help out with projects and events

• Participate in events and activities

• Let the PTSA know you support funding race and equity

We have quarterly meetings during the school year - see meeting announcements in eNews. All are welcome!