| DATE: | September 8, 2017 |
|---|---|
| TO: | Division Superintendents |
| FROM: | Steven R. Staples, Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Post-Charlottesville Resources |
The beginning of each school year offers students and staff members an opportunity to start a new learning journey. This year students across the Commonwealth are entering schools on the heels of widely publicized events in Charlottesville, Virginia. In order to provide guidance to students, school staff may be looking for resources to help students, educators, and communities have conversations about those events.
Students of all backgrounds are experiencing a time in which social justice is at the forefront of their everyday lives. Having conversations related to issues such as race, culture, socioeconomic status, gender identity, and religion is important. Yet, these conversations can be challenging as they may lead to conflict, sadness, discomfort, or anger.
The recent events of violence in the Commonwealth bring the need for these discussions to the forefront. As educators, we can work together to shift the conversation from hate and violence toward understanding and respect in our communities. This is a critical time for schools and families to work together to foster safe and supportive environments, to teach effective conflict resolution strategies, and to help children understand and manage their emotional reactions.
The compendium of resources provided in this document is intended to help support school divisions in engaging stakeholders in constructive dialogue around these issues with the ultimate goal of enhancing a climate that is welcoming, socially supportive, just, caring, nurturing, and respectful for all students and school personnel.
For more information please contact Mrs. Maribel Saimre, School Psychologist Specialist, Office of Student Services at Maribel.Saimre@doe.virginia.gov, or by telephone at (804) 692-0396.
SRS/MS/DD/rt
Links:
Resources for Teachers and Parents - Facilitating Classroom discussions
- From the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
Resources for Addressing Racism and Hatred in the Classroom A compiled list of resources to help educators effectively discuss racism and hatred in the classroom. - From Teaching Tolerance
Learning Plan Builder This online lesson plan builder guides teachers towards building lessons around social justice standards aimed at prejudice reduction. - From Read Brightly
Books to help kids understand the fight for racial equality This is a list of books aimed at helping the reader to understand our Nation’s history in its fight for racial equality. - From The National Education Association
Unite Against Hate! A list of resources for students, educators, and families as they engage in current national dialogue about racism, hate, and bias. - From The Alliance for Excellent Education
Condemning Racism and Bigotry While Using Charlottesville as a
Teachable Moment: Resources for Teachers, Parents, and Others A list of resources for teachers, parents and educational leaders in support of using the events in Charlottesville as a teachable moment. - From The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
Resources on Understanding Bias and Privilege; Resources to Support Students in Stressful Times A list of resources identified by NASP to help school and families engage in constructive dialogue about the issues of race, privilege, prejudice, and power. - From The Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
After Charlottesville: Teaching about Racism, Anti-Semitism and White Supremacy This page provides relevant lessons, related curricula and additional anti-bias resources and strategies to teachers and parents/family members, discuss topics related to white supremacy, racism, anti-Semitism, domestic extremism, free speech, and others with young people. - From Facing History and Ourselves
Lesson Plans Resources on the Fight against Bigotry This website provides a lesson plan designed to help students probe themes about race, racism, and history.
Resources for Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP)
- From The UCLA Center for Mental Health in Schools
Responding to a Crisis This online resource provides an extensive list of links to a variety of quick aids, resources and materials for use in crisis prevention and response. - From The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
Resources for supporting the mental and behavioral health of students in schools This online source provides links to resources developed specifically for School Psychologists to support the work of meeting the mental and behavioral health needs of schools.
Resources for School and Division Leaders
- From The Century Foundation’s Report
A New Wave of School Integration: Districts and Charters Pursuing Socioeconomic Diversity This report addresses racial and socioeconomic segregation in schools. It highlights the work that schools are doing to promote integration. - From The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
Resources for Building Trauma Sensitive Schools This online resource is aimed at providing educational leaders brief tips and policy recommendations for developing trauma-sensitive schools.