Bias and the Holidays

 Staff,

Part of our staff meeting this week will be set aside to continue our conversation on bias and ways we can be more culturally responsive during the holidays. With all the new staff this year, I wanted to include information below I have shared in the past on navigating this holiday season. 

REMINDERS 

The holiday season can be tricky when acknowledging the various religious and secular holiday traditions celebrated during this time of year, while also balancing the need for sustained quality teaching and learning. The following guidelines can help:

 

● Public schools must never appear to endorse religion over non-religion or one particular religious faith over another. 

● Public schools must be careful not to cross the line between teaching about religious holidays (which is permitted) and celebrating religious holidays (which is not). 

● Religious music, literature, art or other religious activities should not dominate school activities. School events, assemblies, concerts and programs must be designed to further a secular and objective program of education and must not focus on any one religion or religious observance. 

● Religious symbols are not appropriate seasonal decorations in public schools. At the same time, students should not be restricted from choosing to express their religious views in course assignments (e.g., artwork, personal narrative). 

● High quality standards-based instruction and student learning is the expectation in December as it is throughout the school year. Holiday activities should be a minimal part of the school day. Based on district procedure 330.1, the showing of videos is limited to those shown with direct alignment to current curriculum and require prior approval.

● The goal for our schools is that we provide an inclusive learning environment for all students. Every student should feel welcome and represented at a public school and should be able to participate in every activity we have.

On both Thursday and Friday we will run our 30 minute specials schedule. This will allow for our 3rd Grade Dress Rehearsal on Thursday and our All School Meeting on Friday. Both of these events will start at 3:10pm.