Welcome to the fourth issue of Spotlight on Equity Education! In this issue, we’re talking about the January 6 “Intent to Pursue” requirement for those seeking certification or a micro-credential in Culturally Responsive Teaching; ideas to promote culturally responsive holiday practices in our schools; and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Continue reading
Welcome to the third issue of Spotlight on Equity Education! In this issue, we’re talking about the number of Culturally Responsive credentialed educators in ACPS, culturally sensitive ways to celebrate Thanksgiving, and Solidarity week. Plus, we’ve included the November calendars for CRT Credentialing and observances and holidays. Be sure to check out our new Culturally Responsive Teaching web page. Continue reading
Dear Colleagues,
Next week, Monday, November 7 – Friday, November 11, is Solidarity Week. This is a national student-led program hosted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), an organization started by teachers in 1990. Among the organization’s priorities is generating support for the Safe Schools Improvement Act, which requires any school division that receives Elementary and Secondary Act federal funding to prohibit bullying and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, and religion. Continue reading
Are you interested in learning more about culturally responsive teaching (CRT) or our anti-racism policy, or would you like friends or family to know more about our collective efforts to end the predictive value of race on student success? This October and November, Community Engagement’s team of equity specialists is offering FREE 90-minute virtual courses through Open Doors to educate the community on CRT and the division’s anti-racism work. Upcoming course offerings include:
What Is Culturally Responsive Teaching?
Thursday, October 20, 2022
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Class (Zoom)
Anti-Racism Orientation: Unpacking What it Means to be Anti-Racist
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Class (Zoom)
Taking a Look in the Mirror: Examining Your Racial Identity
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Class (Zoom)
To register, visit opendoors.digitalsignup.com or call 434-975-9450.
Welcome to the second issue of Spotlight on Equity Education! In this issue, we’re talking about resources for those who are seeking a credential in Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT); an upcoming virtual session to help our community better understand the purpose and value of CRT; Indigenous Peoples’ Day; and Hispanic Heritage Month. Plus, we’ve included the October calendars for CRT Credentialing and observances and holidays. Continue reading
Be on the lookout for a monthly Compass article from your Equity Education Specialists with highlights of the equity work across the division and information about Culturally Responsive Credentialing. Your equity specialists for the year are Shay Carter-Shifflett, Steven Turner, Megan Washburn, and Leslie Wills-Taylor. Ayanna Mitchell is the new Director of Equity Education, working closely with Dr. Eric Irizarry, the new Director of Equity, Family, School and Community Relations. All of our equity leaders are in the Office of Community Engagement led by Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Daphne Keiser. Continue reading
The Back to School Bash Committee is soliciting donations of solid color backpacks for elementary students and brightly decorated backpacks for preschool students. Donated backpacks will be distributed to students from Charlottesville, Albemarle, and surrounding counties on August 20 at the Back to School Bash at Ting Pavilion in Downtown Charlottesville.
Backpacks can be dropped off from August 1-7 at either the Charlottesville City Schools Division Annex or Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church. For more information about donating or purchasing a backpack online for delivery to the committee, please see the event flyer: Continue reading
Each year, Charlottesville City Schools and Albemarle County Public Schools join forces with several community organizations to offer free school supplies and backpacks to families in need. This year’s Back to School Bash will be held on Saturday, August 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Ting Pavilion in Downtown Charlottesville. In addition to free school supplies, the event will feature music, games, local vendors, and more!
In order to make this special event a success for our families, we need volunteers! Continue reading
According to U.S. Census Bureau, “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States… The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.”
In Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS), student-led organizations providing affinity and advocacy for LGBTQIA students exist at all secondary schools.* These student organizations have leaned in to help ACPS achieve its strategic goal of “Affirming and Empowering Communities,” including respecting and championing the diversity of life experiences of all students. Continue reading
Saturday, June 11, 2022 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Monticello High School | Registration
The ACPS Equity Specialists and Conference Committee are pleased to offer the 2022 Equity Conference on Saturday, June 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Monticello High School. In addition to hearing from educators who are engaged in our collective work to eliminate practices that produce inequitable outcomes for students, participants will discover what it means to be an ACPS Culturally Responsive Educator. We will also recognize our most recent CRT certified and micro-credential candidates. Continue reading