DEI Department Newsletter

The Department of DEI, in partnership with the LGBTQ+ NPS Employees’ Affinity Group, is very excited to invite you to our upcoming NPS community forum which will be held on Monday, May 2nd, 7-8:30 pm.

This event is open to all NPS students, parents, and staff to hear from trained facilitators and a panel of LGBTQ+ members of our community. This conversation is intended to help us better understand the experiences of our transgender and gender-expansive student community and learn more about how we can support and affirm the dignity, safety, and inclusion of all our students.

The National Antiracist Book Festival is hosted by the BU Center for Antiracist Research and will be held virtually on Saturday, April 30th. It is the first and only book festival that brings together, showcases, and celebrates the nation's leading antiracist writers. The virtual panels are topically organized with authors and a moderator. Hosting, promoting, and selling books from each panel is a different bookstore owned and operated by people of color.

The #AntiracistBookfest assembles a vibrant crowd of authors and attendees to engage in a day full of antiracist dialogue that will educate, challenge, and inspire.

"It's Gonna Be May" Work Series

As you return from break, well-rested and rejuvenated, TTL is excited to host you all at District 7 Tavern, April 29th . Join TTL for an intimate setting, with free food, beverages, games, and good vibes.

The Teachers' Lounge is a series of monthly celebrations for educators of color, and friends, from the Greater Boston Area. This is a space for our community to connect, build, and vibe with great music, people, and activities.

This event will be held on Tuesday May 10th at 7pm and will offer attendees a valuable opportunity to meet and learn from members of the Newton community who are often invisible or misunderstood.

In a constructive and safe environment, you will hear Palestinian-American-Newtonians talk about their experiences in Newton, which are varied and complex, and hear their responses to questions raised by the audience. You will leave with ideas about how you can support your Palestinian-American neighbors and how to learn more about their culture, history, and perspectives.

This event is being planned by Newton community members. Please join FORJ as we continue to take steps to address challenges to the dignity and rights of all our community members.

If you have any questions, please email school_coordinator@forj.org.

Click here to register, https://harvard.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYsfuirqTwjGdA6BUDluERRjdpVCJR2-e1E

This year, Juneteenth celebrations hosted by FORJ NNHS will be at Newton North High School on Sunday, June 19th. Vendors including Black-owned businesses, food trucks, performers, and art exhibits will make this a fantastic family day out, so put this date in your calendars now. Volunteers are urgently needed to help with logistics and planning leading up to the event, and on the day itself.

FORJ NNHS is also looking for sponsors for this community event. Do you want to get involved with planning, or donate to make this community event even better than last year? Email FORJ NNHS at forjnnhs@gmail.com to join the party.

On Wednesday April 6th NPS METCO Director Lisa Gilbert-Smith hosted a Zoom Presentation for the NPS, Community Conversations at Underwood Elementary.

Mason-Rice Elementary School FORJ, in collaboration with school leadership and their PTO, organized an Exploring One Book Together shared reading experience across their school community on March 14.

The book selected was "The Year We Learned to Fly" by Jacqueline Woodson.

The goal was to encourage their school community to engage in meaningful, developmentally appropriate conversations about race, as well as to celebrate diverse authors and illustrators.

During the school day in their classrooms, students listened to this book as a read-aloud and then participated in a discussion.

That same evening there was a virtual shared reading experience for the students and families using the same book.