EQUITY CORNER

Happy 2025 Watertown!

As we welcome the new year, let's take a moment to reflect on the importance of taking care our emotional wellbeing. Balancing the demands of our work and personal lives can be challenging. Through intentional care, both for ourselves and for each other, we can grow stronger as a community.

With appreciation,

Equity Facilitator Team

• January 1, 2025: New Year's Day

• January 4, 2025: World Braille Day

• January 6, 2025: Epiphany

• January 7, 2025: Orthodox Christmas

• January 13, 2025: Lohri

• January 16, 2025: Hosmer Diversity and Belonging Council Meeting (via Zoom) 6:30-7:30

• January 20, 2025: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• January 20, 2025: Watertown Unity Breakfast (Hellenic Cultural Center) 8:30-10:30

• January 20, 2025: Inauguration Day

• January 24, 2025: International Day of Education

• January 27, 2025 International Holocaust Remembrance Day

• January 29, 2025: Chinese New Year

• January 31, 2025: Winter Warmer (Hosmer Elementary School) 6:00-8:00

• February 1, 2025: First day of Black History Month

*If we miss or incorrectly communicate a holiday, please don't hesitate to reach out*

ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups that aim to promote diversity and inclusion within an organization by creating a sense of community and belonging among employees who share common interests and identities.

Click Here for more information

Email: DEIB_Office@watertown.k12.ma.us with any questions

Here are some tips on how we can honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy:

1. Acts of Service: Participate in service projects to support the community such as food drives, park cleanups, or mentoring initiatives.
2. Facilitate Conversations about Equity: Create opportunities for your students and colleagues to reflect on Dr. King's speeches and writings
3. Connect with Community: Watertown Unity Breakfast (January 20, 2025)
4. Classroom Activities and Discussions: Ask students to share ways they can promote kindness, justice and inclusion in their daily lives

A Few Resources:

• https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/martin-luther-king-jr
• https://www.weareteachers.com/martin-luther-king-activities/

Our youngest learners in the building have been participating in regular restorative circles! Students in Ms. LaBella's classroom set up their stuffed animals to have a restorative circle while they ate their snack. They even included a talking piece!

My Uncle Martin's Big Heart

This month's book, written by Angela Farris Watkins, PhD., is an inspiring story about Martin Luther King Jr. written from the perspective of his niece. The story describes some of Martin's personal life, in addition to his work as a civil rights hero and activist. The large colorful illustrations by Eric Velasquez are captivating. The love between Uncle Martin and his niece jumps off the page!

Martin's Dream Day

Martin's Dream Day by Kitty Kelley depicts August 28, 1963, the day Martin gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. The book uses real photographs to bring everything to life. The book contains descriptions of Martin Luther King Jr.'s words, Martin Luther King Jr.s work leading up to the day of his speech and all the excitement and energy of the crowd that day. The reader feels immediately transported to the nation's capital, surrounded by 250,000 people.

Get your ticket at https://watertownunitybreakfast.eventbrite.com

World in Watertown is thrilled to invite you to the 25th annual Watertown Unity Breakfast on January 20, 2025 from 8:30-11am!

This year will be in-person at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Ave, Watertown.

A hot breakfast from Wicked Bagel will be served at 8:30 am followed by music, roundtable conversations, student essays, and the presentation of the Unity Award.

Every year, the community in Watertown, Massachusetts, comes together on Martin Luther King Day to honor his life and civil right legacy by recommitting to foundational principles of racial, social and economic justice.

All ages are welcome to attend the event! The suggested donation for adult attendees is $10-$25. Youth 18 and under and those experiencing financial difficulty are welcome to attend for free.

Childcare is available for children 2-10 years of age. Please register for childcare as an "add on." Children are also welcome to attend the main program.

ASL interpretation and CART will be available, sponsored by the Watertown Disability Commission. To request additional accommodations, email worldinwatertowncity@gmail.com.

The Watertown Unity Breakfast is run by World in Watertown and sponsors this year include the Watertown Community Foundation, Watertown Savings Bank, and Point32Health Foundation. Special thanks to the Taxiarchae/Archangels Greek Orthodox Church for the use of their community space and to Wicked Bagel for providing breakfast.

We are excited to be gathering together and celebrating our community. Get more information and watch videos of previous year’s at unitybreakfast.org.