The Farmington I.D.E.A.

Welcome to the 2023-24 IDEA Newsletter where you will find a place of belonging, inspiration, education, and space for your contributions…

Photo: Students, facilitators, and Education Director Carla Chennault with U.S. Attorney for the Eastern Division Dawn Ison, and Judy and Dennis Shepard

Monday, October 9, 2023, is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Many states and cities recognize this day and even choose to observe it over Columbus Day. This is a day to learn, to observe, to reflect, to create, and to connect through story and creation. It’s also a day to move beyond recognition and toward action and accountability. For decades, people have honored and recognized Columbus Day with the belief that Christopher Columbus was the first explorer to arrive in America. While historians and history books have often depicted this as truth, we know that prior to Columbus's arrival in what is now known as the "Americas," Tribal nations and Indigenous Communities had populated the western hemisphere for years. We know that Indigenous people experienced enslavement, theft, murder, and the attempted eradication of history and culture for thousands of years. Under the leadership of Governor Whitmer, Michigan first recognized Indigenous Peoples' Day in 2019.

President Biden became the first president to issue a proclamation in 2021 and 2022 in recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day. This year, Indigenous Peoples' Day falls on Monday, October 9, 2023. Below, you will find resources that can be utilized for additional information and learning.

Additional Resources:

• https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/resources-teaching-about-indigenous-peoples

• https://www.teachingforchange.org/2022-indigenous-peoples-day-curriculum-teach-in

Filipino American History Month is celebrated in the United States throughout the month of October. This observance aims to recognize and celebrate the contributions, culture, and heritage of Filipino Americans in the United States. It was officially recognized by the U.S. Congress in 2009, through a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. October was chosen because it commemorates the arrival of the first documented Filipinos in the United States, who landed in Morro Bay, California, on October 18, 1587. During this month, various events, festivals, exhibitions, and cultural activities take place across the country

Italian American Heritage Month is celebrated every year to honor and recognize the centuries of achievements, successes, and valuable contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans. This month was first celebrated in 1989 by a special proclamation of both Congress and President George H. W. Bush. More than 5 million Italians immigrated to the United States between 1820 and 2000. Currently, there are more than 26 million Americans of Italian descent residing in the United States. This makes Italian-Americans the fifth largest ethnic group in our nation. Each year Italians around the country take time to celebrate their heritage, history, and culture with festivals and parades.

We celebrate Polish American Heritage Month in October, but it wasn’t always that way. Congress first deemed August as Polish American Heritage Month in 1981. Later, it moved to October to commemorate the first Polish settlers — as well as the deaths of General Kazimierz Pułaski and Tadeusz Kościuszko (military leaders who fought in the American Revolution). The switch also enabled schools to participate in celebrations. Whether you’re Polish American or not, it’s important to mark the culture of the people who helped shape this country.

Since the 1980s, October has been designated as Down Syndrome Awareness Month to raise public awareness of Down Syndrome and advocate for acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome.

For more information about Down Syndrome or Down Syndrome Awareness Month, please see the following resources:

• Special Olympics Down Syndrome Awareness Month

• National Down Syndrome Society Down Syndrome Awareness Month

• Down Syndrome Resources

Culturally Responsive Instruction is as easy as 1-2-3!

When students receive culturally responsive instruction they are more engaged, make personal connections to content, and are more willing to receive feedback about performance. Here are three easy steps you can take to better connect learning to students' lives.

1. Connect Learning To Students' Prior Knowledge & Experiences

Utilize stories, narratives, and examples that resonate with diverse cultural backgrounds. This not only makes the content more engaging, but also fosters a deeper understanding.

2. Inclusive Curriculum Design

Teach historical and current events from multiple perspectives. For instance, when discussing colonization, consider the perspectives of both colonizers and the colonized. Also, regularly examine textbooks and teaching materials for biases or stereotypes, and choose resources that present a more balanced and holistic view of cultures and communities.

3. Build A Collaborative Learning Environment

Create projects where students can delve into their community's history, challenges, and assets. This not only values their community's cultural capital but also makes learning more authentic. Also, seek to foster a classroom environment where students feel safe discussing their experiences and perspectives. Encourage them to ask questions, share stories, and engage in respectful debates.

There are a variety of texts that you can utilize with students to address Hispanic & Latin American Heritage month. These texts include: Last Stop On Market Street, Milo Imagines The World, and Mango, Abuela, and Me. These texts center diverse narratives, perspectives, and Hispanic & Latino authors. Reading picture books can help build community in the classroom as learners step inside and interpret the feelings and actions of characters together. A detailed Culturally Responsive Read Aloud lesson plan is offered from Teachers College at Columbia University.

Since 2006, in the United States, October has been designated Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying can occur in many ways; it may be verbal, physical, through social exclusion, or digitally via email, text, social media, etc.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that students who are bullied are more likely to experience low self-esteem and isolation, perform poorly in school, have few friends in school, have a negative view of school, experience physical symptoms, and experience mental health issues. Effective bullying prevention efforts involve students, parents, teachers, and community members to address larger issues of disrespect, bias, and violence that can contribute to bullying issues in schools. A community-wide effort shows students that adults care about what happens to them and that they are not alone.

For more information, please see:

Bullying Facts: What you need to know

On the third Wednesday of October, plan to wear and share the color orange—as a tangible representation of the supportive, universal message that our society wants to prevent bullying, and is united for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Let's show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying. Unity Day is October 18.

For more information, please contact Gregory Smith, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

for Farmington Public Schools at gregory.smith@fpsk12.net

The government has made legal provisions to ensure that no person is discriminated against on the basis of race, color, natural origin, sex, age, or disability. In order to protect these rights and assure compliance, the Farmington Public Schools District has appointed Mr. Christopher O’Brien as Coordinator of Title IX and Section 504 and Mr. Greg Smith as Coordinator of Title VI, the Age Discrimination Act, and Title II. Inquiries concerning the application of, or grievances for, any of these regulations should be addressed to: christopher.obrien@fpsk12.net or gregory.smith@fpsk12.net.