November Diversity Newsletter

This monthly newsletter will highlight a variety of topics that our students and staff are doing to celebrate and honor the diversity of our schools, the equitable practices we are striving for and the inclusive ideas that make us strong. Our intended audience is the greater community, as well as the students and staff in our schools.

Native American Heritage Month is celebrated every November. It is dedicated to honoring indigenous people, their cultures, and learning and understanding the true history of the Native people of our continent.

The true history of Native Americans is not always told and we can use this month to educate ourselves about Native history, as well as the Native American people who continue to influence our country.

Diwali, also spelled Divali, one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, lasting for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. The third day of Diwali is celebrated on Thursday, November 4, 2021.

The club is a safe place for LGBTQ students and allies to support each other. It is a student-led organization based on the following three pillars social, support, and activism. First, the club is a place, where students can meet and interact with peers going through similar situations. It is also a place for students to support each other with the unique issues they face each day. Students take a leadership role to improve the school climate. Students feel safer and more motivated when they have a stronger connection to the school through this club. Students start each meeting with introductions, discussions, and updates on each student. Next, students get to focus on issues impacting the LGBT community.

Hazel Point staff have dedicated space to honor our veterans! Thank you for your service!

Accountability, Leadership, Opportunity (ALO)

JR. ALO is a multicultural student leadership group which stands for Accountability, Leadership, and Opportunity. Our primary focus is to engage, increase opportunities, and promote positive community amongst our students from diverse backgrounds. JR. ALO at Excelsior is currently working on a donation drive to support Families Helping Families.

Please consider participating in ALO's Fall Service Project to collect (new) donated items for YPN (Young Parents Network) out of Cedar Rapids.

YPN's mission is to create a network of support through education and resources, to build personal accountability for healthy and successful families.

Below is the Amazon wish list of items that will be sent directly to us at the high school to put into care packages for these families in need. Thank you for your time and consideration!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3VW335B4KOF97?ref_=wl_share

Did you know that every 9th grade student at Linn-Mar High School has been assigned to a staff member for 9th Grade Connection? This advisory program was started this year to increase positive relationships with students and staff at the high school. Staff and students meet once a week to discuss issues, celebrate success, and provide for connection. The goal is that over the next four years, all students will have developed a relationship with an adult in our high school.

Native American Heritage Month

Diwali

Veteran's Day

Email: equity@linnmar.k12.ia.us
Website: https://www.linnmar.k12.ia.us/
Location: 2999 10th Street, Marion, IA, USA
Phone: 319-447-3000