R15 Equity & Inclusion Newsletter

November is National Native American Heritage Month according to presidential proclamation, starting in 1990 and continuing to date. It is also known as National American Indian & Alaska Native Heritage Month.

Grade 5 students across all four of our elementary schools have been studying Native America in Social Studies. Specifically, they've been exploring the inquiry question: "How can we better honor the cultural heritage of this land?" This unit challenges students to explore diverse sources, including artifacts and oral traditions, to form a deeper understanding of the rich, varied cultures and histories of Indigenous Americans. Indigenous Americans have been misrepresented in both the popular imagination and historical record since their first encounter with Europeans. The unit ends by asking students to consider how they can take action in their community to better honor the cultural heritage of their land.

In mid-October, PHS had the implementation of their first ever chapter of the Italian National Honor Society: La Società Pantera (The Panther Society) chapter of the greater Società Onoraria Italica. Mr. Ralph Belvedere, PHS Italian teacher, is the faculty advisor. He even invited his own high school Italian teacher, Dr. Carmine Paolino, a long time Middlebury resident, to come and kick-off the ceremony. Dr. Paolino was also made an honorary member of the PHS chapter of the National Honor Society.

This came at perfect timing, as Italian American Heritage Month is in October! It was first recognized by the United States Congress in October 1989. Italian-American Heritage Month is commemorated every October to acknowledge the accomplishments and successes of Italian immigrants and Italian-Americans.

Congratulations to all of the students involved!

PHS students from the LatinX club joined GES 5th graders at the end of Hispanic Heritage Month and facilitated station activities to develop new learning with students. Stations included learning a song and singing in Spanish, a game to develop knowledge around countries flags, capitals, and geographic locations, a read aloud picture book, and more. 5th graders rotated through the stations, eachfacilitated by a different high school member of the LatinX Club. The LatinX Club's student leaders are Hannah Ali and Jose Critelli. Their staff advisor is Mrs. Yamia Raimundi.

PHS sophomore Shaivi Gaddam recently completed her Eagle Scout Project, which is a project in service of others and the result should reflect scouts' best efforts and be of significany impact in the scout's community. For her project, Shaivi led the installation of a "be kind" mural at PHS with the Ben's Bells organization. As a member of BSA (Boy Scouts of America), to rank up to Eagle Scout, Shaivi needed to take on and successfully implement a service project. Shaivi spent about eight months meticulously working on this project and facilitating it until its completion. Here is what Shaivi had to say:

1. Now that this project is complete, what does it mean to you?

"This project means a lot to me because it’s a way to share a message I’ve held close since I first learned about Ben’s Bells in 2nd grade: the importance of kindness and compassion. It reminds me that even small acts of kindness can have big effects in our community. Seeing this mural at PHS feels like leaving a permanent mark of those values, something everyone can connect to and carry forward."

2. What are your greatest hopes that students and adults have when they see the mural each time they drive up to PHS?

"My biggest hope is that the mural inspires everyone (students, adults, staff, anyone from different communities or districts included) to pause and think about how they can show kindness in their daily lives. I hope it reminds them to be inclusive, compassionate, and open-minded. For some people, it could be a moment to reflect, and for others, it could be a source of encouragement they need to reach out or make a positive difference."

3. How are you working to embody the essence of the mural in your life?

"I try to portray the mural’s message by intentionally treating others with kindness, respect, and without any judgment. I try to look for opportunities to support people who might feel left out. The little things make the biggest difference. I also remind myself to stay patient and understanding because being kind isn’t easy, but it’s always worth it."

4. What did you learn about yourself through this process? About leadership? About others?

"Through this process, I’ve learned that I like bringing people together and creating spaces for people that celebrate inclusivity. I’ve also realized that leadership is about listening to others, valuing their ideas, and working as a team. From other people, volunteers, and mentors, I’ve learned that everyone has something unique to contribute, and it is very important to promote everyone else's ideas with enthusiasm."

On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, the Career Center at Pomperaug High School (PHS) buzzed with excitement as students from the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program showcased their “Zines,” or mini magazines, to an audience of family, friends, and staff members. This event highlighted the students' hard work, creativity and provided a platform for students learning English to practice oral and written language skills through a topic of personal interest.

Teachers Jonathan Hull and Meagan Bollin lead the TESOL (Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages) program at PHS in Region 15.

The “Zine” project was the result of weeks of hard work by eight students from PHS, who speak languages including Albanian, Indonesian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Ukrainian. They created mini magazines on diverse topics such as soccer, empathy, Ecuadorian cuisine, favorite video games, and cultural traditions. This project helped students expand their vocabulary, improve their sentence skills and practice speaking outside of the classroom.

“Each of our students brings a unique story and perspective,” said Jonathan Hull. “I feel so fortunate to work with them and to help amplify their voices through creative projects like this.”

Each zine reflected the students' personal stories, offering a glimpse into their experiences, challenges, and hopes for the future. The presentations were a joyful celebration, with students proudly sharing their work before an enthusiastic audience. Family and friends gathered to support them, creating a welcoming environment that fostered a sense of community and belonging.

A ninth grader, David Monzalvo, said, “It was interesting and exciting because it was a good opportunity to practice all of the things I have learned this year.”

Adding to the sense of community, students from Erica Keane’s Family and Consumer Science class baked chocolate chip cookies for everyone to enjoy.

“It was such a powerful and impactful experience for the students and their parents. Thank you for making this such a successful experience for everyone!” wrote teacher Meagan Bollin in an email to attendees.

The ESOL program at PHS serves students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The program focuses on enhancing written and expressive language skills, grammar, and vocabulary, and building on the strengths, gifts, and assets that the students in the program individually and collectively bring.

* denotes observances that begin sundown the day before the one listed.

October 2024:

• 10/3/24 - 10/12/24 NAVARATRI (Hindu): Nine-day festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It worships God in the form of the universal mother commonly referred to as Durga, Devi or Shakti, and marks the start of fall.
• 10/3/24 - 10/4/24 *ROSH HASHANAH (Jewish): Beginning of the Jewish New Year and first of the High Holy Days, which marks the beginning of a ten-day period of penitence and spiritual renewal.
• 10/12/24 *YOM KIPPUR (Jewish): The “Day of Atonement” marks the end of the Ten Days of Penitence that begin with Rosh Hashanah.
• 10/17/24 - 10/23/24 *SUKKOT (Jewish): The week-long “Feast of Booths” commemorates the 40-year wandering of the Israelites in the desert on the way to the Promised Land. (October 17)
• 10/24/24 *SHEMINI ATZERET (Jewish) “The Eighth [Day] of Assembly” observed on the day immediately following Sukkot.
• 10/25/24 *SIMCHAT TORAH (Jewish) “Rejoicing in the Torah” celebrates the conclusion of the public reading of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Hebrew Bible) and its beginning anew.
• 10/31/24 REFORMATION DAY (Christian) Commemorates the beginning of the Protestant Reformation in 1517.
• 10/31/24 BANDI-CHHOR DIWAS (Sikh) A commemorative occasion having no fixed date which occurs in October or November and celebrates the release of the Sixth Guru Har Gobind Sahib from imprisonment and coincides with Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

November 2024:

• 11/1/24 DIWALI (Hindu): Also called Deepavali, “Festival of Lights,” it celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.
• 11/1/24 ALL SAINTS’ DAY (Western Christian) Commemorates all known and unknown Christian saints. Eastern Orthodox Christianity observes it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.
• 11/2/24 ALL SOULS’ DAY (Christian) Commemoration of all faithful Christians who are now dead. In Mexican tradition it is celebrated as Dia de los Muertos between October 31 and November 2, and is an occasion to remember dead ancestors and celebrate the continuity of life.
• 11/9/24 - 11/10/24 KRISTALLNACHT Also known as the Night of the Broken Glass, commemorates the 1938 pogrom against Jews throughout Germany and Vienna.
• 11/15/24 GURU NANAK DEV JI’S BIRTHDAY (Guru Nanak Jayanti) (Sikh) A very important holiday in the Sikh faith as Guru Nanak Dev’s was the First Guru of the Sikhs and the Founder of Sikhism. He was born in mid-November; the holiday is celebrated according to the lunar date.

(Source: ADL)

Because our intention in sharing this information is to increase awareness of and respect for religious observations and ethnic and cultural festivities that may affect students, colleagues and neighbors in our community, your input is important. Please email equity_inclusion@region15.org if there is something we missed!

Background photo credit: This photograph is from the artwork of second graders, created during art class with Ms. Krivensky. These pumpkins are in the style of contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kasuma, who started using polka dots and nets as motifs in painting around the age of 10.

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The importance of listening to your lived experiences, insights, ideas, and perspectives cannot be overstated. Please feel free to reach out! We'd love to connect.

*Note: Quotation (c) 2019 CLC Collective and Dottir Press

Email: equity_inclusion@region15.org
Website: https://www.region15.org/community/equity-and-inclusion
Twitter: @r15equity