We honor the uniqueness of each individual and embrace diverse backgrounds, values, and points of view to build a strong, inclusive community and to prepare students for lives in a multicultural society.
This site contains all of the different celebrations and events Indiana Avenue Elementary School runs throughout the year.
Each page contains a different event, artifacts from that event, and some resources used.
School Equity Team
Catherine Wehrle - Principal
TEAM
Chair: Jamie Lopes
Stephanie Terpanick
Assistant Chair: Denise Ichinco
Katie Polo
Diversity Council
Mrs. Wehrle- Principal
Jamie Lopes - Chair
Stephanie Terpanick- Chair
Denise Ichinco- Assistant. Chair
Katie Polo-Assistant. Chair
Christine Gonzalez (Parent)
Any individuals who are interested in participating on our school's Diversity Council please reach out to
Jamie Lopes at jamie.lopes@woodbridge.k12.nj.us
Diversity Council Meetings
Council meetings will take place before the PTO meetings.
Dates may have to be adjusted due to weather. Please check the main school page regularly for updates.
Monthly Celebrations
Month/Date(s)
Observance
9/15/23 - 10/15/23
Hispanic Heritage Month:
Students of Hispanic heritage are sharing their heritage within their classes.
Projects will be posted around the school building.
NEHS members will read reports on Hispanic Countries.
Music that reflects the culture will be played over the loudspeaker.
A bulletin board displays poetry, text, instruments, art of Hispanic culture.
The Art teacher is working with the students on Mexican artwork of skulls for Day of the Dead.
Utilize DEI intranet resources for text
Utilize school DEI Google classroom activities
10/3/23 - 10/7/23
A Week of Inclusion / A Week of Respect
November 2023
Native American Heritage Month
Lesson on history of totem pole
Class totem poles hang in the hallway
Utilize text offered on intranet DEI tab
Hall of Fame for Native Americans
lessons unique to classroom teachers curriculum
virtual library:https://classroom.google.com/c/NTQ1NDA1ODAwODM3/m/NTU3NjIyNDYxMTUw/details School DEI google classroom resources
January 2024
Indic Heritage Month
Read Indian fables
Discuss Indian holidays such as Hodi, Ramadan, Diwali
Reports on influential Indian people through history
Listen to Indian musicians, singers over loudspeaker
February 2024
Black History Month
Utilizing Google Classroom activities and virtual library:
grade levels reports on important black people through history
coloring pages with inspiring quotes of famous black people through history
music of black musicians, musical artists over loudspeaker
reports shared daily over loudspeaker
black history hall of fame
utilizing intranet DEI activities and reading shared texts
which activities used decided by classroom teachers
no name calling week spirit wear to recognize MLK
March 2024
Women’s History Month
5th grade live "wax museum" of successful women
Grade level reports
Coloring pages
Classroom lessons
Utilize resources in school DEI google classroom & intranet
Play women musical artists over the loudspeaker
Read reports over the loudspeaker
Holi
St Patricks Day
Ramadan begins
April 2024
Autism Acceptance Month
Bubble day
teacher chosen classroom activities
utilize intranet, DEI website resources
Text read a louds chosen from DEI intranet
Bulletin Boards\
Highlight successful individuals with neurodiversity
Reports read over loudspeakers on Bill Gates, Emily Dickinson, Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, Whoopi Goldberg, Michelangelo and Charles Darwin.
Meet & greet with autistic class
May 2024
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Read reports over loudspeaker
Play music from the culture
Mandala Mondays
Follow plans shared on DEI intranet
virtual library posted on google classroom
School wide Create Asian Kites
6/19/24
Juneteenth
District Showcase
2021-2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Showcase
DEI showcase presentation 2021-22
2022-2023 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Showcase
DEI showcase presentation 2022-23
Showcase dates are May 15, 2024 and May 22, 2024
Questions, Comments, or Concerns
The Woodbridge Township School District is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Use this form to share questions, comments, or concerns relative to issues of DEI at a District location. This form may be submitted anonymously. You do NOT need to be signed in to Google to submit. However, please make sure to include your name and email address if you would like to be directly contacted about the matter. Please follow the link below to the form:
https://forms.gle/Lp5C3PyXbKkiD8E87