ONETroy, welcome back to school! As we embark on the 2024-25 school year, let's enter into it with hope for the best year yet. Each of our placement within this organization is essential to the success of the whole. Building a system of equity, includes ensuring that every individual has what you need to thrive. From homes, to classrooms, to bus stops, to boardrooms, to building aesthetics and furniture that support our physical, equitable learning spaces... every spoke on the organizational wheel matters. Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do, to make OneTroy the best place to learn, work, live, and exist.

An inclusive school calendar recognizes and respects the cultural, religious, and personal backgrounds of students, staff, and families. Our district serves a diverse community of learners, where we aim to foster environments of belonging for all. After reviewing community feedback, student demographics and absentee data, the goal was set to have district calendar that accurately represented the diversity of religious and cultural observances in OneTroy.

Inclusive/culturally relevant calendars help to both inform and grow our collective understanding around holidays and observances in our educational spaces, honors lived experiences, and elevates student and family voice and choice. As we kick off a new school year, we do so with cultural responsiveness at the core. From meaning-making to action, we now have a three year calendar outlook. As the academic year progresses, we will provide guidance documentation and learning opportunities to support the changes and implementation of our calendar.

Deaf Awareness Month
Hispanic Heritage Month
Macedonian American Heritage Month

September 2 – Labor Day

September 5 – International Day of Charity

September 8 – International Literacy Day

September 11 – National Day of Service and Remembrance

September 16 – Mexican Independence Day

September 18 – International Equal Pay Day

September 20 –HeForShe Movement (Anniversary)

September 21– International Day of Peace

September 23 – International Day of Sign Languages

September 23 – Bi+ Visibility Day

September 27 – Native American Day

September 28 – National Public Lands Day

September 30 — "Orange Shirt Day" also National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

In Fall 2022, we launched our Family and Community Engagement council (FACE), an extension of the district's JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) initiatives and council work. This fall we will host a series of F.A.C.E. opportunities to gather, learn with and from one another, and partner on ways to create and craft spaces of belongingness. We warmly invite you to participate in these moments whether they happen at school buildings or in larger community. Stay tuned for more details.

Join us for an engaging Community Read series as we delve into Jonathan Haidt's thought-provoking book, The Anxious Generation. In this series, we’ll explore the challenges facing today’s youth, and examine how societal shifts have influenced their mental health and well-being. This is an opportunity for parents, educators, students, and community members to come together, share insights, and discuss strategies for fostering resilience in our young people.

—Join us and be part of the change! The event will run from 6-8PM. Location to be announced.

Orange Shirt Day is celebrated on September 30th in Michigan and across the world to honor Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential schools. It's also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Here's some more information about Orange Shirt Day:

Purpose: The day is a time to remember the experiences of Indigenous children, the impact of residential schools, and the trauma that was passed down to future generations. It's also a day to commit to reconciliation and healing.

Origin: The movement began to honor Phyllis Jack Webstad, a Residential School Survivor.

Significance: The day serves as a reminder of the dark history of residential schools and the lasting impact they had on Indigenous communities.

How to participate: People wear orange to show their support for Indigenous communities.

In 2022, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed September as Deaf Awareness Month in Michigan. A portion of the proclamation is below:

• WHEREAS, the purpose of Deaf Awareness Month is to increase public awareness of the issues and the culture of people who are Deaf, and to promote equal access to information and services for Deaf individuals and to educate the public about the misconceptions of being Deaf; it is also an opportunity to learn about the types of educational programs, support services, and resources available to Deaf people as well as to individuals who are Deaf, Blind, or Hard of Hearing;

Beginning September 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month is a national celebration that honors the history, culture, and influence of people of the past, present, and future generations of Hispanic heritage. Descendants of South and Central America, Spain, Mexico, and the Caribbean celebrate this time in various ways which to highlight the history, culture, and contributions of those Hispanic Americans.

2024 Theme = PIONEERS OF CHANGE: Shaping the Future Together, encapsulating the “spirit of innovation, resilience, and unity that define the Hispanic experience.”

September is Macedonian American Heritage Month. With resolutions passed by the United States Congress and Michigan, both highlight and recognize the history, culture, and contributions of Macedonian communities near and far. September also marks the anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Macedonia, celebrating the country’s journey towards sovereignty.

For our district wide welcome back, we had Author Liz Kleinrock as our keynote speaker where she delivered a powerful message. Staff are digging into her work, which includes Start Here, Start Now: A Guide to Antibias and Antiracist Work in Your School Community which provides meaningful ways to connect with students in inclusive classrooms and school communities.’

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents was last year’s community read where we brought together staff, families, and the community at large for a One Night Only engaging and insightful book discussion. Participants left with additional resources and were provided opportunities to listen and learn from one another.

We named BELONGING as our district focus last year, with a continued focus this year. Cabinet, the Department of Teaching and Learning and our district Equity Inquiry Team have been deepening our learning and Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides is a key resource. It provides practical context and application strategies which support every learner and leader across our community. If you are interested in learning alongside us and would like a copy of Belonging, please email Chantelle Yancy at cyancy@troy.k12.mi.us

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