Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (JEDI) Newsletter

October is National Down’s Syndrome awareness month

Take some time to learn about the experiences of people affected by Down’s Syndrome.  Stay tuned for more in upcoming newsletters about Down’s Syndrome in our community.

October is LGBTQIA+ History Month

Sellwood will be honoring LGBTQIA+ History month with an advisory lesson on trailblazers in American history.  There is so much for parents and caregivers to learn about with even a quick look at this great resource!  What could be more American than having the freedom to be your own person, free of persecution?  

If your family would like to share about how LGBTQIA+ history and culture enriches your lives, please email Bridget at strengthinrelations@gmail.com and we will include it in our next newsletter.

October 10th, 2022 is Indigenous People’s Day 

We stand on the territory of cultures that existed here for thousands of years before any migrated from other lands.  Go to native-land.ca to find out more about the people and cultures originally of this place.  According to the map on that website, our children come to school every day on the land of the Stl’pulmsh (Cowlitz); The Clackamas; The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.

Last year, President Biden was the first US President to declare Indigenous People’s Day.  The holiday has been celebrated since 1977 on the second Monday of October and began as a counter holiday to Columbus Day, which celebrates a European explorer who was one person who led the movement for European migration and also played a part in enslavement and the more brutal aspects of colonization.  While colonization is a big part of our country’s history, celebrating only those who colonized this land, leaves us without an understanding and appreciation of the people and cultures that graced our land for thousands of years.  Indigenous People’s Day gives us a chance to take a wider look at our history and the American Native, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian cultures that have formed this nation.   

There are nine tribes in Oregon.   Learn more about the tribes: The Burns Paiute of Harney County; Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw; Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde; Confederated Tribes of Siletz; Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians; Coquille Indian Tribe and the Klamath Tribes.   

If your family would like to share how your Indigenous culture enriches your lives, please reach out to Bridget at strengthinrelations@gmail.com and we will share it in the next newsletter.

PPS Seeking Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee Members

Portland Public Schools is currently seeking to fill 12 advisory spots - made up of middle school and high schoolers, parents and staff -  to form its PPS Racial Equity and Social Justice Community Advisory Committee (RESJ CAC.)  These are volunteer positions and PPS is seeking to reflect the diverse communities within PPS.  These leaders will advise both the Superintendent and the School Board about the racial equity and education impacts of policy decisions and help build PPS's progress toward a more equitable educational culture. Applications are due by October 20th and more information can be found here.

Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month is here! 

September 15 - October 15

Did you know that while English is the most spoken language in the world, there are more native Spanish speakers in the world (534 million) than English speakers (374 million)? 

Over 41 million people in the United States alone (or 13% of the population) speak Spanish at home.  After English, It’s the most commonly spoken one of the many languages of our country’s diverse population. 

The Latin world is huge!  It’s comprised of 33 countries and 15 territories, all with their own unique cultures!  Many from the Latin world emigrate to the United States every day making their cultures part of the beautiful fabric of our society. 

Did you know that the work of migrant farmworkers from Latinx/Hispanic countries is the driving force behind the food system in the US that we rely upon to bring us the fruits, vegetables and meats we eat every day?  Migrant families’ children, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to a free and fair education under the law and Portland Public Schools has its own Migrant Education program to support the unique needs of families who experience migration as part of their lived experience. 

Make teaching your kids about Latinx/Hispanic heritage fun by looking here for ways to celebrate and learn.  Make albondigas in the kitchen (que rico!) or play Loteria enjoying the beautiful colors and drawing of this popular game.  

If you or your family would like to share some ways that your Latinx/Hispanic AND/OR NATIVE AMERICAN heritage enriches your lives, please contact us at LewisElementaryJEDI@gmail.com so that we can share it in our next JEDI section of the newsletter.  

Gracias!

Amazon Future Engineer Program for Children from Underrepresented Communities

This program is a childhood-to-career program aimed at increasing access to computer science education for children and young adults from underserved and underrepresented communities.  

If you think your child or a child you know would benefit from learning more about this rich program with internship and scholarship options, check it out at amazonfutureengineer.com.   The opportunities that abound for some kids with existing

community connections can, through programs like these, be made available for all kids.  Our beautiful future lives in our kids’ minds! 

Some places to start learning:

• Read: "What Happened When My School Started to Dismantle White Supremacy Culture" by Principal Joe Truss
• Read: "White Supremacist Culture" by Tema Okun.
• Reflect: Which of the 15 elements of white supremacy culture caused an emotional reaction for you?