Resources

October

 

Filipino American History Month

LGBT History Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month ( September 15 - October 15)

 

 

     September 15 - October 15

 

Hispanic Heritage Month - A month-long observance that celebrates the histories, contributions, heritage, and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

 

Filipino American History Month marks the first recorded evidence of Filipinos in the United States. Filipino Americans represent the second-largest group of Asians in the country.

 

LGBT History Month - Marks and celebrates the lives and achievements of lesbian, gay bisexual, and transgender people in the United States. October 11, 1987, Commemorates when 500,000 people marched in Washington, DC, for gay and lesbian equality.

 

Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month is celebrated to honor the achievements and contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants living in the United States, Particulary in the arts, science, and culture.

 

NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH A campaign to unite communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention.

 

October 2nd-4th - ROSH HASHANAH

The beginning of the Jewish New Year and the first of the High Holy Days, which marks the beginning of ten days of penitence and spiritual renewal.

 

October 3rd-12th - Navratri 

Is a nine-day Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good. It honors Durga, Devi, or Skakti, known as the universal mother, and marks the start of fall.

 

Sunset October 11th - Sunrise October 12th - YOM KIPPUR

The “Day of Atonement” marks the end of the Ten Days of Penitence that begin with Rosh Hashanah

 

COMING OUT DAY: Commemorates October 11, 1987, when 500,000 people marched on Washington, DC, for gay and lesbian equality.

 

October 14th

Columbus Day A U.S. federal Holiday commemorating Christopher Columbus the explorer's landing in the Bahamas.

 

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY (Native American Day) Día de la Raza, “Day of the Race,” in Spanish-speaking countries and communities. Celebrates and honors Native American history and culture. 

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Dear Members of the Westwood Public Schools Community: 

We hope you are enjoying the summer and spending some time relaxing and having fun with family and friends. As we start to plan for the 2024-2025 school year, the School Engagement Committee (SEC) wanted to take a moment to share with you a summary of last year’s Conversation with Caregivers series and the resources provided during those conversations. Additionally, the SEC would like feedback on last year’s series, gather your input on topics for this year’s Conversation with Caregivers, and give you information about a book discussion that the SEC will be hosting this fall.

Last year, the SEC completed a series of Conversations with Caregivers that consisted of panel discussions, presentations, and question and answer sessions allowing for open dialog, conversation, sharing, and learning. Last year’s topics included:  A Panel and Discussion on Furthering Belonging in the Westwood Public Schools, A Look at Social Emotional Learning within Westwood Public Schools, Supporting LGBTQ Students and Families in Westwood - A Talk with Ed Byrne, and Behavioral & Mental Health Resources and Support for Westwood Families. A brief summary of these presentations is linked here, along with the resources that were provided by the facilitators. 

As we plan for our 2024-2025 Conversation with Caregivers series, your input would be very useful in determining which topics would be the most helpful to our families.  Please take a moment to complete this short survey to help us assess last year’s offerings and/or select next year’s topics. 

Finally, as you may recall from his May 28th email to Westwood Families, Superintendent Piwowar has formed a Cell Phone Use in Schools task force to examine the research base and to develop guiding principles that will inform future policy decisions at the school and/or district level.  One of the resources the task force will be using is Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. The SEC invites all members of the school community to read the book and join us for a book discussion as part of our first in a series of 2024-2025 Conversation with Caregivers.  The book discussion will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 6:30 in the Professional Development Room in the Central Administration Office.  

Thank you for your interest and input in our Conversation with Caregiver series. We look forward to reviewing your survey responses and hope to see you in October at our first Conversation with Caregivers.

Sincerely,

Lateefah Franck, Director of Equity, Integration, and Community Partnerships

Donna Tobin, Director of Social and Emotional Learning  

School Engagement Committee Co-chairs, Meg Lutze and Nedal Smith

 

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It is important that all families in our school feel a sense of belonging and community. We do this by acknowledging important holidays, observances, and celebrations. Please let us know if there is an important holiday or observance that your family celebrates or recognizes that you would like us to be aware of. Learning about each other and the people in our community helps us build a more inclusive environment.

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Join our equity learning community! Explore some of the books, articles, videos, and websites we have found valuable in building diversity, equity, and integration in Westwood.
 

History.com Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

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Jewish American Heritage Month Site

 

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SUPPORTING ARAB AMERICAN STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM

GLSEN: Day of Silence Educator Guide

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Women's History Month Official Site - contains links for teachers as well as audio/visual resources and links for exhibits and collections

 

Here are some suggestions to help educators engage students in thinking broadly and critically:

  • Diverse Perspectives:

    Include a diverse range of voices and perspectives in the curriculum. Highlight women from different ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of women's experiences.
  • Interactive Activities:

    Incorporate interactive activities such as discussions, debates, and projects to encourage active engagement. This can help students think critically and express their opinions on various aspects of women's history.
  • Literature Exploration:

    Integrate literature written by and about women into the curriculum. This can include novels, poetry, and autobiographies that provide insights into women's experiences and challenges.
  • Primary Source Analysis:

    Use primary sources, such as letters, diaries, and speeches, to allow students to analyze firsthand accounts of women's experiences. This can provide a more authentic and personal connection to historical events.
  • Guest Speakers and Role Models:

    Invite guest speakers or arrange virtual sessions with women who have made significant contributions in various fields. This can inspire students and provide real-world examples of success.
  • Art and Creativity:

    Explore the arts as a means of expression. Showcase artworks, music, and performances that celebrate and represent women's stories. Encourage students to create their artistic expressions related to women's history.
  • Intersectionality:

    Emphasize the intersectionality of women's experiences by exploring how factors such as race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, and ability intersect with gender. This promotes a more nuanced understanding of women's history.
  • Local and Global Perspectives:

    Connect the curriculum to both local and global contexts. Highlight women's contributions within the community and discuss global movements that have shaped women's rights.
  • Critical Thinking Exercises:

    Design critical thinking exercises that encourage students to question gender norms, stereotypes, and biases. This can foster a deeper understanding of societal expectations and challenges.
  • Equity and Social Justice:

  • Integrate discussions about equity and social justice into the curriculum. Explore current issues related to women's rights and empower students to become advocates for positive change.
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How Teachers Can Support Students During Ramadan

9 Ways to Support Students During Ramadan

 

Suggestions for Supporting Students during Ramadan

  • Remember that when someone is fasting, breakfast begins before sunrise so people will be up very early in the day and may be quite tired by the end of the day.
  • A warm greeting is always welcome. You can extend greetings by saying: “Happy Ramadan,” “Ramadan Mubarak” (blessed Ramadan), or “Ramadan Karim” (generous Ramadan).  Similarly, for Eid-ul-Fitr we say “Happy Eid” or “Eid Mubarak.”
  • Prayer: Mid-day prayer (Zuhr prayers) typically falls during school hours, so students may need 7-10 minutes to perform these prayers in a private space.
  • Assessments: Avoid scheduling assessments or events (such as field trips) on Eid ul-Fitr. Providing additional time to any student observing Ramadan during assessments given during Ramadan if a student requests it.  
  • Mealtimes: Students observing Ramadan should have the option to study and/or read in the library during their assigned snack or lunch period or recess (if too hot outside).
  • Physical Education: Students observing Ramadan have the option to be excused from participating in physical education if they choose to do so. Alternative assignments could be provided.
  • Outdoors: When Ramadan falls during the warmer months of the year, be mindful in situations that involve extended hours in the heat. Providing an indoor alternative, if students request.
  • Libraries: Provide books about Ramadan.
 

Information originally developed by Nadine Tassabehji, PhD, RD, LDN, for the Fiske School Community; updated and revised with contributions from Sara Sheikh,  Nadine Tassabehji, Seri Latiff, and Amber Iqbal.

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Explore Black History

 

Elementary - Classroom Activities

 

The 1619 Project Docuseries Viewing Guide

 

Black History Month: Teaching the Complete History Go beyond trauma and struggle to examine the liberation, civic engagement, and creativity, The 1619 Project Docuseries Viewing Guide on intersecting identities of Black people during Black History Month.

 
 

GBH Celebrates Black History Month 

Stream videos premiering this month, attend virtual forums and explore extensive past content at GBH’s Black History Month site.

 

Places to go to celebrate Black History Month with the family

 

Boston’s Black Heritage Trail

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Boston’s free African American community led the nation in the movement to end slavery and achieve equal rights. Their houses of worship, homes, schools, and Underground Railroad sites make up Boston’s Black Heritage Trail. A virtual tour is also available through the National Park Service website. 

 

Museum Of Science 

The Museum of Science will be spotlighting influential scientists and engineers with events throughout Black History Month.

 

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King 

 

HONOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH EIGHT UNIQUE DOCUMENTARIES

 

Teaching Resources

 

Latinx KidLit Book Festival : A VIRTUAL CELEBRATION OF LATINX KIDLIT AUTHORS, ILLUSTRATORS, AND BOOKS

 

Boston Public Library Latinx Book List (books for kids, teens, and adults)

 

8 Ideas for Teaching National Hispanic Heritage Month 

 

 

 

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Educators throughout the district have participated in courses and book studies to guide our work and thinking:
 

  • Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy by Gholdy Muhammad

  • Unconscious Bias In Schools: A Developmental Approach to Exploring Race and Racism by Tracey A. Benson and Sarah E. Fiarman

  • Education Across Borders: Immigration, Race, and Identity in the Classroom by Jalene Tamerat, Marie Lily Cerat, and Patrick Sylvain

  • White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo

 

We work with IDEASInitiatives for Developing Equity and Achievement for Students as a M.A.S.S.Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and professional development partner for DEI.
 

Westwood works with MPDEMassachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education to meet and recruit educators of color as prospective candidates for faculty and staff positions.

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