At PS 39, we are committed to a culture of inclusion, respect, social justice, and equity. We encourage all members of the community to explore topics and issues relating to diversity and inclusion. By doing so, we develop a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges we face as we are raising the next generation of socially responsible citizens. The Equity Team is comprised of community members including teachers, parent and caregivers and school administration. We encourage everyone in our community to explore our vision and join us at our meetings!
PS 39's Diversity & Inclusion Equity Team Vision
Our vision and core values of caring, resilience, curiosity, respect, and belonging anchor our focus on anti-racist, anti-bias education that puts kids first. By asking how curriculum, lessons and engagement support the most marginalized or at-need students in any learning space, we will make PS39 more inclusive for everyone. This focus encourages and reinforces respect for one another, and in turn social justice, empowering students to be able to use their voices and to speak these values. A parallel focus is to connect this work with families through family engagement and activities focusing on our core values.
We are committed to engaging in this work with respect, curiosity, authenticity and vulnerability. We seek to build community and partnerships and maintain accountability to ourselves, our families and school in the process. As a subcommittee of the Student Leadership Team (SLT) all parents, teachers and administrators are welcome and encouraged to join us! You can read about our specific initiatives HERE.
Our vision and core values of caring, resilience, curiosity, respect, and belonging anchor our focus on anti-racist, anti-bias education that puts kids first. By asking how curriculum, lessons and engagement support the most marginalized or at-need students in any learning space, we will make PS39 more inclusive for everyone. This focus encourages and reinforces respect for one another, and in turn social justice, empowering students to be able to use their voices and to speak these values. A parallel focus is to connect this work with families through family engagement and activities focusing on our core values.
We are committed to engaging in this work with respect, curiosity, authenticity and vulnerability. We seek to build community and partnerships and maintain accountability to ourselves, our families and school in the process. As a subcommittee of the Student Leadership Team (SLT) all parents, teachers and administrators are welcome and encouraged to join us! You can read about our specific initiatives HERE.
D&I Equity Team Meetings
Please join us twice per month for our D&I Equity Team Meetings! The meeting schedule for 2021-2022 is as follows:
October 14th, 2021 at 4pm
October 28 at 4pm
More meetings coming soon!
Please join us twice per month for our D&I Equity Team Meetings! The meeting schedule for 2021-2022 is as follows:
October 14th, 2021 at 4pm
October 28 at 4pm
More meetings coming soon!
Please visit our brand new Padlet!
We have updated our newsletter format and turned it into a padlet woth past newsletters as well as resources on all things D&I Check out the new format and feel free to add any resources. This is a community document that will be continuously updated.
We have updated our newsletter format and turned it into a padlet woth past newsletters as well as resources on all things D&I Check out the new format and feel free to add any resources. This is a community document that will be continuously updated.
The Book of the Month Program
October's theme is Inclusivity. Our Diversity & Inclusion committee is committed to helping our school community promote a culture of respect, social justice, equity and openness. To help our families on this journey, our team of parents and teachers have created a Book of the Month program for both families and adults. We hope this program will spark robust conversations around inclusion and diversity while bringing us together as a community with shared ideals.
The books can be purchased from local, independent bookstore, Books are Magic. If you own any of these books or would like to purchase them to be donated to the classrooms, please contact Karen Herskowitz.
October's theme is Inclusivity. Our Diversity & Inclusion committee is committed to helping our school community promote a culture of respect, social justice, equity and openness. To help our families on this journey, our team of parents and teachers have created a Book of the Month program for both families and adults. We hope this program will spark robust conversations around inclusion and diversity while bringing us together as a community with shared ideals.
The books can be purchased from local, independent bookstore, Books are Magic. If you own any of these books or would like to purchase them to be donated to the classrooms, please contact Karen Herskowitz.
K/1st: At the Mountain's Base by Traci Sorell, Weshoyot Alvitre
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Complete list of all Books of the Month by Year
2017 - 2018 BOM * 2018 - 2019 BOM * 2019 - 2020 BOM * 2020 - 2021 BOM * 2021-2022 BOM
2017 - 2018 BOM * 2018 - 2019 BOM * 2019 - 2020 BOM * 2020 - 2021 BOM * 2021-2022 BOM
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Dialogue & Drinks
Please join us for Dialogue & Drinks on October 26th, at 8:00pm in the backyard at Commonwealth Bar, and enjoy some real adult conversation about our selections. RSVP to swatiparikh@gmail.com. The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi One afternoon, in a town in southeastern Nigeria, a mother opens her front door to discover her son’s body, wrapped in colorful fabric, at her feet. What follows is the tumultuous, heart-wrenching story of one family’s struggle to understand a child whose spirit is both gentle and mysterious. Raised by a distant father and an understanding but overprotective mother, Vivek suffers disorienting blackouts, moments of disconnection between self and surroundings. As adolescence gives way to adulthood, Vivek finds solace in friendships with the warm, boisterous daughters of the Nigerwives, foreign-born women married to Nigerian men. But Vivek’s closest bond is with Osita, the worldly, high-spirited cousin whose teasing confidence masks a guarded private life. As their relationship deepens—and Osita struggles to understand Vivek’s escalating crisis—the mystery gives way to a heart-stopping act of violence in a moment of exhilarating freedom. Here is a complete list of all of our past Dialogue & Drinks Book Choices: 2017 - 2018 Dialogue & Drinks 2018 - 2019 Dialogue & Drinks 2019 - 2020 Dialogue & Drinks 2020 - 2021 Dialogue & Drinks |
2021 Summer Engagement Kit
Our Kit includes:
★ Free events within NYC ★ Opportunities to get involved in community outreach ★ Booklists ★ Book of the Month selections for children and adult selections for Dialogue & Drinks ★ Museum exhibits and safe social distancing activities around the city ★ A weekly Challenge to engage in learning and community ★ A Guide to Digital Citizenship ★ Mindfulness and Wellness Resources ★ Safe Social Distancing Activities ★ Resources on how to volunteer and get involved in community action ★ Black Lives Matter Resources, Events, Organizations and book Lists ★ Social Emotional Learning Resources ★ Last Looks from our Fifth Graders
★ Free events within NYC ★ Opportunities to get involved in community outreach ★ Booklists ★ Book of the Month selections for children and adult selections for Dialogue & Drinks ★ Museum exhibits and safe social distancing activities around the city ★ A weekly Challenge to engage in learning and community ★ A Guide to Digital Citizenship ★ Mindfulness and Wellness Resources ★ Safe Social Distancing Activities ★ Resources on how to volunteer and get involved in community action ★ Black Lives Matter Resources, Events, Organizations and book Lists ★ Social Emotional Learning Resources ★ Last Looks from our Fifth Graders
| summer_engagement_kit_2021.pdf |
Traveling Book Project
D&I PS39 invites students to take part in a traveling book project!
We want to encourage our students to get out in the community and share books they love with others.
So we are inviting students to grab a book from their bookshelf and visit our Traveling Book Padlet, where they can place their name, their current location, any interesting stories about their history with the book, fun facts about the book or its location, or anything else that comes to mind!
THEN… place the tag below on the book and leave the book... ANYWHERE!
We encourage students to be creative with where they leave their books. Take them on vacation! Bring them to a neighborhood that may not have as much access to books as you do! Share a book with a friend who could use a window or a mirror!
The book tags will be given out in school classrooms, and will be available at drop off or pick up. The below image can also be printed and taped to a book.
There will also be books available at PS39 for kids to tag and leave (anywhere. REALLY!!), if they don’t have one at home that they want to send off into the world.
D&I PS39 invites students to take part in a traveling book project!
We want to encourage our students to get out in the community and share books they love with others.
So we are inviting students to grab a book from their bookshelf and visit our Traveling Book Padlet, where they can place their name, their current location, any interesting stories about their history with the book, fun facts about the book or its location, or anything else that comes to mind!
THEN… place the tag below on the book and leave the book... ANYWHERE!
We encourage students to be creative with where they leave their books. Take them on vacation! Bring them to a neighborhood that may not have as much access to books as you do! Share a book with a friend who could use a window or a mirror!
The book tags will be given out in school classrooms, and will be available at drop off or pick up. The below image can also be printed and taped to a book.
There will also be books available at PS39 for kids to tag and leave (anywhere. REALLY!!), if they don’t have one at home that they want to send off into the world.
Masks for All
The Coronavirus has created a school year unlike any other. For the ‘20-’21 school year, the PS 39 mask initiative aims to provide a reusable fabric facemask to any student or staff member. We are starting with PS 39, but are looking to build partnerships with other schools to make sure everyone is protected. We believe that every person who wants a reusable mask should have access to one.
We are seeking to build an army of sewers and crafters to construct masks and ear savers. There are also many other ways to participate in the initiative without having to craft a thing.
If you are interested in participating, please click fill out our Interest Form.
You can also email Lesa Rozmarek at masks@ps39.org
The Coronavirus has created a school year unlike any other. For the ‘20-’21 school year, the PS 39 mask initiative aims to provide a reusable fabric facemask to any student or staff member. We are starting with PS 39, but are looking to build partnerships with other schools to make sure everyone is protected. We believe that every person who wants a reusable mask should have access to one.
We are seeking to build an army of sewers and crafters to construct masks and ear savers. There are also many other ways to participate in the initiative without having to craft a thing.
If you are interested in participating, please click fill out our Interest Form.
You can also email Lesa Rozmarek at masks@ps39.org
Wearing a Mask is Anti-Racist
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A Note from D&I
It is important that we address the atrocities that have been in the forefront of the news. The D&I committee is dedicated to creating an inclusive community of respect and equity and it is vital that we, both individually and as a school, address the racism that has permeated this country for far too long. It is not enough for us to express outrage at the murder of George Floyd or the ingrained racism shown in Amy Cooper’s privilege, we must offer families in our community ways to take action, to show up for racial justice. We have work to do. We need families to stand up as anti-racist--with actions, not just words. Our padlet has many resources focused on talking about the current injustices, and ways in which families can actively combat racism.
It is important that we address the atrocities that have been in the forefront of the news. The D&I committee is dedicated to creating an inclusive community of respect and equity and it is vital that we, both individually and as a school, address the racism that has permeated this country for far too long. It is not enough for us to express outrage at the murder of George Floyd or the ingrained racism shown in Amy Cooper’s privilege, we must offer families in our community ways to take action, to show up for racial justice. We have work to do. We need families to stand up as anti-racist--with actions, not just words. Our padlet has many resources focused on talking about the current injustices, and ways in which families can actively combat racism.
Community Events & Activities
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
Check Out Even More Resources!
- READ: Time: 100 Women of the Year
- READ: A push to integrate Brooklyn Middle Schools is Starting to Show Results, According to New Data
- READ: Black History Month Resource Guide for Educators and Families
- WATCH: Equity is the Superior Growth Model (8:26 min)
- READ: Courageous Conversations About Race Protocol
- READ: Color Brave Space
- WATCH: Talks at Google: Ijeoma Oluo "So You Want To Talk About Race" (51 min)
- WATCH: Grace Lin's Ted Talk: "The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child's Bookshelf" (12:23 min)
- READ : My Kids Need Your Kids To Know About the Queers...Here's Why
- READ: Talking about Thanksgiving with our Children
- READ: Women’s History Brochure and Activity Booklet: Movements Throughout U.S. History: A timeline of persevering, breaking down barriers and shattering glass ceilings
- READ: Making the Grade: The Path to Real Integration and Equity in NYC
- WATCH: Where are you from? (2.5 min)
- READ: CNN's Where are you 'really' from? Try another question
- READ: No, You’re Not Imagining It: 3 Ways Racial Microaggressions Sneak into Our Lives
- READ: DARING GREATLY: Transforming the way we live
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Learn Even More...
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ARCHIVES
We want to hear from you! Let us know if you want to join the committee, what your interests are or what role you'd like to see the committee have with parents, children and/or teachers across a range of diversity and inclusion issues. Thank you! Please share your voice in our feedback form below.