Ramadan (April 1st-May 1st)
Ramadan is an Islamic holiday that is celebrated on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During the month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar, Muslims abstain from all food and drink from dawn to sunset. This religious duty of fasting is known as sawm in Arabic. It is one of the “Five Pillars,” or basic acts of worship in Islam.
Below is information on how to be mindful and best support students who are observing Ramadan. Observance of the fasting-month of Ramadan by Muslims, and the celebration that marks its end, called Eid al-Fitr (Celebration of the Fast Breaking) requires a thoughtful and accommodating response by school administrators and teachers, as well as an understanding by fellow students.
Newton North High School
In March, we celebrated Women's History Month. Recognizing the accomplishments of all women, including countless amazing women who have worked to break the bias throughout history. The students at Newton North High School's Human Rights Council collaborated to create a diverse and intersectional panel of students to share their experiences growing up female and growing into their gender identities.
FORJ-Families Organizing for Racial Justice
Please join Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ) at Newton North and Newton South for a discussion, Freedom to Read: Addressing the Banned Books Campaign. With current legislative efforts to ban books and to prohibit teaching about racism and other so-called “divisive topics,” it's important to have an open conversation around what we want our students to learn. Our presenters include Lorena Germán, co-founder and academic director of Multicultural Classroom, and a panel of Newton High School teachers and librarians, moderated by Principal Henry Turner. We hope you will join us to discuss this important issue, its implications in Newton, and how community members can be allies in combating recent regional trends.
Please RSVP here to receive the zoom link at the email address you provide on the day of the event. Students are invited too, please circulate this to those whom you think might be interested!
The Massachusetts School Administrators Association will hold a Student Equity Conference on Saturday April 30 at Weymouth High School.
The summit will consist of workshops for students and advisors/school leaders, student performances, student narratives and showcases all promoting Diversity, creating change and Social Justice.
For further information, please contact Alan.strauss@weymouthps.org or Justin.galusha@weymouthps.org
We look forward to hearing from you.
In peace,
Alan Strauss, Principal, Weymouth High School (Weymouth)
BIPOC Gatherings
This spring our PK, Elementary, Middle and High School BIPOC staff were invited to attend spring BIPOC gatherings. This is a time where staff of color gather to connect, support ideas and meet new people.
Below are a few pictures of the event. If you are interested in learning more about how to participate, please contact your grade-level Coordinator:
Elementary School Coordinators:
Gabrielle Mulrean
Tiyana Portis
Middle School Coordinators:
Daniel Arroyo
High School Coordinators:
Kanchan Kant
Katani Sumner
