Booker T. Washington MS54
Equity Team Mission Statement
Booker T. Washington Middle School has established an Equity Team whose goals include enhancing and improving efforts to ensure academic success by closing opportunity gaps and providing equitable and inclusive working and learning environments for all students, families, staff and communities. Additionally, it is intended that increase in diversity and equity and establishing these conversations will lead to tangible and intangible results such as increased cultural understanding and decreased discipline rates. The specific goals of the Equity Team will be determined by its committee so that we can determine the focus most appropriate for our school.
The NYC Department of Education has established the Equity and Excellence for All program with the intention of supporting diversity in New York City public schools. For the NYC Department of Education "Equity" means meeting every student where they are, and providing the support, resources, and high expectations for them to achieve at consistently high levels.
District 3 has asked that all schools create a distinct Equity Team comprised of parents, students, faculty and administration to begin the process of assessing what equity and diversity means for their school community and begin the process of establishing an open dialogue.
The definition of diversity includes: Socio-economic, Region, Disability, Gender, Race, Sexual Orientation, Language, Age, Religion.
The DOE is committed to creating and supporting learning environments that reflect the diversity of New York City and with the belief that all students benefit from diverse and inclusive schools and classrooms.
The NYC Department of Education has established the Equity and Excellence for All program with the intention of supporting diversity in New York City public schools. For the NYC Department of Education "Equity" means meeting every student where they are, and providing the support, resources, and high expectations for them to achieve at consistently high levels.
District 3 has asked that all schools create a distinct Equity Team comprised of parents, students, faculty and administration to begin the process of assessing what equity and diversity means for their school community and begin the process of establishing an open dialogue.
The definition of diversity includes: Socio-economic, Region, Disability, Gender, Race, Sexual Orientation, Language, Age, Religion.
The DOE is committed to creating and supporting learning environments that reflect the diversity of New York City and with the belief that all students benefit from diverse and inclusive schools and classrooms.
EQUITY TEAM STEERING COMMITTEE
Ms. Randee Johnson (teacher) , Ms. Naomi Tsai (teacher) and Dr. Judy Scott-Clayton (parent) are the MS54 Equity Team Steering Committee. They can be reached by email at equity@ms54pta.org
Black History Month Resource List (February 2020)
This month, in honor of Black History Month, MS 54 is celebrating the resilience of Black Americans past, present, and future. Teachers have invited all students to reflect on the theme of Black Resilience, which is the focus of the Black History Month Assembly which will be held during the school day on February 28th.
Watch the short film from the Black History Month Assembly below.
Watch the short film from the Black History Month Assembly below.
Due to physical capacity constraints, we are unable to invite parents to join for this assembly, but please hold the date for a dress rehearsal planned for the evening of Thursday, February 27th which will be open to parents. Regardless of whether you can come, we invite you to ask your child about it to continue the conversation beyond the school walls.
Below is a list of resources we have put together to learn more about Black history and culture, ranging from local events to books, podcasts, and film.
Sincerely,
The Equity Team Steering Committee (equity@ms54pta.org)
Black History Month Resource List
LOCAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:
See the official NYC Guide for a wealth of cultural events relating to Black History: https://www.nycgo.com/articles/black-history-month-events
Highlight: 2020 Black Lives Matter Teen Conference @ The Schomburg Center in Harlem, Ages 11-18, Saturday, February 8th,10 AM (9 AM registration). https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2020/02/06/2020-black-lives-matter-teen-conference-teen-night-open-mic
Highlight: The Arsenal Gallery photo exhibit Namesakes: African Americans in NYC Parks (through February27) showcases some of the men and women who are honored in—and lend their names to—the City’s green spaces, from Marcus Garvey Park in Manhattan to Hattie Carthan Community Garden in Brooklyn. https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/events/2020/02/06/arsenal-gallery-namesakes-honoring-african-americans-in-nyc-parks
BOOKS (Adult/8th Grade+)
Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates
When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir, Patrisse Khan-Cullors, asha bandele
Becoming, Michelle Obama
Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson
How to Be Black, Baratunde Thurston
The Sellout, Paul Beatty
The New Jim Crow, Michele Alexander
The Warmth of Other Suns, Isabel Wilkerson
The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison
BOOKS (Young Adult)
On The Come Up and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
NPR
A Code Switch Playlist for Black History Month
https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2020/02/01/401948607/a-code-switch-playlist-for-black-history-month
TED TALKS
The Danger of a Single Story, Chimamanda Adichie
https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story?language=en
Color blind or color brave? Melody Hobson
https://www.ted.com/talks/mellody_hobson_color_blind_or_color_brave/discussion
How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time, Baratunde Thurston
https://www.ted.com/talks/baratunde_thurston_how_to_deconstruct_racism_one_headline_at_a_time?language=en
The urgency of Intersectionality, Kimberle Crenshaw
https://www.ted.com/talks/kimberle_crenshaw_the_urgency_of_intersectionality
What the gay rights movement learns from the civil rights movement, Yoruba Richen
https://www.ted.com/talks/yoruba_richen_what_the_gay_rights_movement_learned_from_the_civil_rights_movement
Our failing schools: Enough is enough, Geoffrey Canada
https://www.ted.com/talks/geoffrey_canada_our_failing_schools_enough_is_enough
ARTICLES
The Case for Reparations, Ta-Nehisi Coates
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/
PODCASTS
1619
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/podcasts/the-daily/1619-project.html
The Hug Heard Round the World, Malcolm Gladwell
http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/26-the-hug-heard-round-the-world
TV & FILM
13th, Ava DuVernay Documentary, Netflix
When They See Us, Ava DuVernay, Netflix
Explained, Vox, Racial Disparity in Wealth (Netflix).
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, Documentary on Toni Morrison, available on Hulu
Loving, 2016 film tells the story of the couple behind the 1967 Supreme Court case Loving vs. Virginia
Below is a list of resources we have put together to learn more about Black history and culture, ranging from local events to books, podcasts, and film.
Sincerely,
The Equity Team Steering Committee (equity@ms54pta.org)
Black History Month Resource List
LOCAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:
See the official NYC Guide for a wealth of cultural events relating to Black History: https://www.nycgo.com/articles/black-history-month-events
Highlight: 2020 Black Lives Matter Teen Conference @ The Schomburg Center in Harlem, Ages 11-18, Saturday, February 8th,10 AM (9 AM registration). https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2020/02/06/2020-black-lives-matter-teen-conference-teen-night-open-mic
Highlight: The Arsenal Gallery photo exhibit Namesakes: African Americans in NYC Parks (through February27) showcases some of the men and women who are honored in—and lend their names to—the City’s green spaces, from Marcus Garvey Park in Manhattan to Hattie Carthan Community Garden in Brooklyn. https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/events/2020/02/06/arsenal-gallery-namesakes-honoring-african-americans-in-nyc-parks
BOOKS (Adult/8th Grade+)
Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates
When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir, Patrisse Khan-Cullors, asha bandele
Becoming, Michelle Obama
Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson
How to Be Black, Baratunde Thurston
The Sellout, Paul Beatty
The New Jim Crow, Michele Alexander
The Warmth of Other Suns, Isabel Wilkerson
The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison
BOOKS (Young Adult)
On The Come Up and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
NPR
A Code Switch Playlist for Black History Month
https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2020/02/01/401948607/a-code-switch-playlist-for-black-history-month
TED TALKS
The Danger of a Single Story, Chimamanda Adichie
https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story?language=en
Color blind or color brave? Melody Hobson
https://www.ted.com/talks/mellody_hobson_color_blind_or_color_brave/discussion
How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time, Baratunde Thurston
https://www.ted.com/talks/baratunde_thurston_how_to_deconstruct_racism_one_headline_at_a_time?language=en
The urgency of Intersectionality, Kimberle Crenshaw
https://www.ted.com/talks/kimberle_crenshaw_the_urgency_of_intersectionality
What the gay rights movement learns from the civil rights movement, Yoruba Richen
https://www.ted.com/talks/yoruba_richen_what_the_gay_rights_movement_learned_from_the_civil_rights_movement
Our failing schools: Enough is enough, Geoffrey Canada
https://www.ted.com/talks/geoffrey_canada_our_failing_schools_enough_is_enough
ARTICLES
The Case for Reparations, Ta-Nehisi Coates
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/
PODCASTS
1619
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/podcasts/the-daily/1619-project.html
The Hug Heard Round the World, Malcolm Gladwell
http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/26-the-hug-heard-round-the-world
TV & FILM
13th, Ava DuVernay Documentary, Netflix
When They See Us, Ava DuVernay, Netflix
Explained, Vox, Racial Disparity in Wealth (Netflix).
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, Documentary on Toni Morrison, available on Hulu
Loving, 2016 film tells the story of the couple behind the 1967 Supreme Court case Loving vs. Virginia
hispanic heritage month (sept. 15 - oct. 15, 2019)
Hispanic Heritage Month / Mes de la Herencia Hispana
(Spanish translation follows below/ La traducción al español sigue abajo)
Hispanic Heritage Month 2019 runs from September 15 through October 15. Here are some resources collected by the MS54 Equity Team to promote and celebrate hispanic heritage and culture!
Students, teachers, & families may be interested in learning about a landmark legal case, Mendez v. Westminster, which led to the desegregation of schools in California about eight years prior to the famous Brown v. Board case. Earl Warren was governor of CA at the time and Thurgood Marshall represented Sylvia Mendez and used some of the same arguments as would be used in Brown v. Board:
https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/background-mendez-v-westminster-re-enactment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendez_v._Westminster
https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/sites/default/files/research/Mendez_v._Westminster_032410.pdf (downloadable 5 page article)
https://ny.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/osi04.soc.ush.civil.mendez/mendez-v-westminster-desegregating-californias-schools/ (8 minute video with first-person account from Sylvia Mendez)
Check out Bank Street Bookstore for a list of books by Latinx authors for a range of ages: https://www.bankstreetbooks.com/national-hispanic-heritage-month For example:
The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan
Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing Up Latino in the United States edited by by Lori Mari Carlson
Call Me Maria by Judith Ortiz Cofer (first person fiction)
https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/ provides a wealth of general resources, including for teachers/parents interested in lesson planning.
Finally, there are plenty of opportunities around the city to celebrate and appreciate Hispanic heritage and culture in person! See:
https://www.nyc-arts.org/collections/32768/hispanic-heritage-in-new-york-2 lists museums, exhibits, dance, music etc
https://www.amny.com/lifestyle/hispanic-heritage-month-events-in-new-york-city-1.10938329 special event listings
We encourage you to explore these resources yourselves and to share them widely.
------------------------------------
El Mes de la Herencia Hispana 2019 se extiende del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre. ¡Aquí hay algunos recursos recopilados por el Equipo de Equidad MS54 para promover y celebrar la herencia y cultura hispanas!
Los estudiantes, los maestros y las familias pueden estar interesados en aprender sobre un caso legal histórico, Méndez v. Westminster, que condujo a la desegregación de escuelas en California unos ocho años antes del famoso caso Brown v. Board. Earl Warren era gobernador de California en ese momento y Thurgood Marshall representó a Sylvia Méndez y usó algunos de los mismos argumentos que se usarían en Brown v. Board:
https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/background-mendez-v-westminster-re-enactment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendez_v._Westminster
https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/sites/default/files/research/Mendez_v._Westminster_032410.pdf (artículo descargable de 5 páginas)
https://ny.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/osi04.soc.ush.civil.mendez/mendez-v-westminster-desegregating-californias-schools/ (video de 8 minutos con cuenta en primera persona de Sylvia Mendez)
Visite Bank Street Bookstore para obtener una lista de libros de autores latinx para un rango de edades: https://www.bankstreetbooks.com/national-hispanic-heritage-month Por ejemplo:
El soñador de Pam Muñoz Ryan
Cool Salsa: Poemas bilingües sobre Growing Up Latino en los Estados Unidos editado por Lori Mari Carlson
Call Me Maria de Judith Ortiz Cofer (ficción en primera persona)
https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/ proporciona una gran cantidad de recursos generales, incluso para maestros / padres interesados en la planificación de lecciones.
Finalmente, hay muchas oportunidades en la ciudad para celebrar y apreciar la herencia y cultura hispanas en persona. Ver:
https://www.nyc-arts.org/collections/32768/hispanic-heritage-in-new-york-2 enumera museos, exhibiciones, danza, música, etc.
https://www.amny.com/lifestyle/hispanic-heritage-month-events-in-new-york-city-1.10938329 listados de eventos especiales
Lo alentamos a explorar estos recursos y compartirlos ampliamente.
(Spanish translation follows below/ La traducción al español sigue abajo)
Hispanic Heritage Month 2019 runs from September 15 through October 15. Here are some resources collected by the MS54 Equity Team to promote and celebrate hispanic heritage and culture!
Students, teachers, & families may be interested in learning about a landmark legal case, Mendez v. Westminster, which led to the desegregation of schools in California about eight years prior to the famous Brown v. Board case. Earl Warren was governor of CA at the time and Thurgood Marshall represented Sylvia Mendez and used some of the same arguments as would be used in Brown v. Board:
https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/background-mendez-v-westminster-re-enactment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendez_v._Westminster
https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/sites/default/files/research/Mendez_v._Westminster_032410.pdf (downloadable 5 page article)
https://ny.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/osi04.soc.ush.civil.mendez/mendez-v-westminster-desegregating-californias-schools/ (8 minute video with first-person account from Sylvia Mendez)
Check out Bank Street Bookstore for a list of books by Latinx authors for a range of ages: https://www.bankstreetbooks.com/national-hispanic-heritage-month For example:
The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan
Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing Up Latino in the United States edited by by Lori Mari Carlson
Call Me Maria by Judith Ortiz Cofer (first person fiction)
https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/ provides a wealth of general resources, including for teachers/parents interested in lesson planning.
Finally, there are plenty of opportunities around the city to celebrate and appreciate Hispanic heritage and culture in person! See:
https://www.nyc-arts.org/collections/32768/hispanic-heritage-in-new-york-2 lists museums, exhibits, dance, music etc
https://www.amny.com/lifestyle/hispanic-heritage-month-events-in-new-york-city-1.10938329 special event listings
We encourage you to explore these resources yourselves and to share them widely.
------------------------------------
El Mes de la Herencia Hispana 2019 se extiende del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre. ¡Aquí hay algunos recursos recopilados por el Equipo de Equidad MS54 para promover y celebrar la herencia y cultura hispanas!
Los estudiantes, los maestros y las familias pueden estar interesados en aprender sobre un caso legal histórico, Méndez v. Westminster, que condujo a la desegregación de escuelas en California unos ocho años antes del famoso caso Brown v. Board. Earl Warren era gobernador de California en ese momento y Thurgood Marshall representó a Sylvia Méndez y usó algunos de los mismos argumentos que se usarían en Brown v. Board:
https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/background-mendez-v-westminster-re-enactment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendez_v._Westminster
https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/sites/default/files/research/Mendez_v._Westminster_032410.pdf (artículo descargable de 5 páginas)
https://ny.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/osi04.soc.ush.civil.mendez/mendez-v-westminster-desegregating-californias-schools/ (video de 8 minutos con cuenta en primera persona de Sylvia Mendez)
Visite Bank Street Bookstore para obtener una lista de libros de autores latinx para un rango de edades: https://www.bankstreetbooks.com/national-hispanic-heritage-month Por ejemplo:
El soñador de Pam Muñoz Ryan
Cool Salsa: Poemas bilingües sobre Growing Up Latino en los Estados Unidos editado por Lori Mari Carlson
Call Me Maria de Judith Ortiz Cofer (ficción en primera persona)
https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/ proporciona una gran cantidad de recursos generales, incluso para maestros / padres interesados en la planificación de lecciones.
Finalmente, hay muchas oportunidades en la ciudad para celebrar y apreciar la herencia y cultura hispanas en persona. Ver:
https://www.nyc-arts.org/collections/32768/hispanic-heritage-in-new-york-2 enumera museos, exhibiciones, danza, música, etc.
https://www.amny.com/lifestyle/hispanic-heritage-month-events-in-new-york-city-1.10938329 listados de eventos especiales
Lo alentamos a explorar estos recursos y compartirlos ampliamente.
equity team meetings
Wednesday, November 20th from 7:30-8:30 am
Monday, September 23rd, from 7:30-8:30am
Monday, September 23rd, from 7:30-8:30am
EQUITY INFORMATION / NEWS
Fall 2019 Resources for Students and Families - Click HERE
Summer 2019 Learning Resources for Students and Families - Click HERE
We recommend the following resources if you are interested in learning more about equity in education and how to engage in productive conversations about race.
Podcast: The Integrated Schools Podcast
Reading: So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
School Diversity Advisory Group - Making The Grade: The Path to Real Integration and Equity for NYC Public School Students (Feb. 2019) - Click HERE
Showcase Schools Resources - Click HERE
Lost at School Activity Packet
Collaborative Problem Solving Packet
Equity vs. Equality in the Classroom article - Click HERE
D3 Equity Team Survey on Diversity - click HERE
D3 Presidents Council Letter to Chancellor Carranza - click HERE
From The Center for Racial Justice in Education:
Resource Guide for Parents to Talk About Race
Racism is Real video (3 minutes)
Children are not Colorblind article
Lens of Systemic Oppression article
Youth TAC-D (Technical Assistance Center on Disproportionality)
There's Something in the Water - Summer Institute Presentation
Summer 2019 Learning Resources for Students and Families - Click HERE
We recommend the following resources if you are interested in learning more about equity in education and how to engage in productive conversations about race.
Podcast: The Integrated Schools Podcast
Reading: So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
School Diversity Advisory Group - Making The Grade: The Path to Real Integration and Equity for NYC Public School Students (Feb. 2019) - Click HERE
Showcase Schools Resources - Click HERE
Lost at School Activity Packet
Collaborative Problem Solving Packet
Equity vs. Equality in the Classroom article - Click HERE
D3 Equity Team Survey on Diversity - click HERE
D3 Presidents Council Letter to Chancellor Carranza - click HERE
From The Center for Racial Justice in Education:
Resource Guide for Parents to Talk About Race
Racism is Real video (3 minutes)
Children are not Colorblind article
Lens of Systemic Oppression article
Youth TAC-D (Technical Assistance Center on Disproportionality)
There's Something in the Water - Summer Institute Presentation
Equity team memos
Equity Committee notes from 11/20/19 meeting
Data Summary Memo from 2/6/19 meeting
School Survey Summary Memo from 2/6/19 meeting
Data Summary Memo from 2/6/19 meeting
School Survey Summary Memo from 2/6/19 meeting
definitions of terms
Equality
Educational equality is the principle of allocating educational resources with an emphasis on the equal distribution of inputs without attention given to the corresponding outputs
Equity
Educational equity is the principle of altering current practices and perspectives to teach for social transformation and to promote equitable learning outcomes for students for all social groups.
Opportunity
Educational opportunity is equitable inputs in order to attain equitable outputs.
Diversity
The DOE is committed to creating and supporting learning environments that reflect the diversity of New York City. Diversity includes: racial background, cultural identity, socioeconomic status, home language, country of origin, immigration status, ability, special needs, religion, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, housing status, life experience
Disproportionality
Disproportionality is the over-representation of a specific group in special education programs or disciplinary outcomes relative to the presence of this group in the overall student population, and/or the under-representation of a specific group in accessing intervention services, resources, programs, rigorous curriculum and instruction relative to the presence of this group in the overall student population.
Educational equality is the principle of allocating educational resources with an emphasis on the equal distribution of inputs without attention given to the corresponding outputs
Equity
Educational equity is the principle of altering current practices and perspectives to teach for social transformation and to promote equitable learning outcomes for students for all social groups.
Opportunity
Educational opportunity is equitable inputs in order to attain equitable outputs.
Diversity
The DOE is committed to creating and supporting learning environments that reflect the diversity of New York City. Diversity includes: racial background, cultural identity, socioeconomic status, home language, country of origin, immigration status, ability, special needs, religion, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, housing status, life experience
Disproportionality
Disproportionality is the over-representation of a specific group in special education programs or disciplinary outcomes relative to the presence of this group in the overall student population, and/or the under-representation of a specific group in accessing intervention services, resources, programs, rigorous curriculum and instruction relative to the presence of this group in the overall student population.
bias awareness parent seminar information
|
MS54 Booker T. Washington
103 West 107th Street New York, NY 10025 Phone 212-678-2861 |
MS54 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission to its programs, services, or activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals, or in any aspect of their operations. The lack of English language skills shall not be a barrier to admission or participation in the district’s activities and programs. MS54 also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.
© 2019 MS54 Booker T. Washington. All rights reserved.
|