The Joseph Sears School DEB Newsletter
Volume 8
September 2021
|
|
September Is National Hispanic Heritage Month |
|
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
|
|
The Sears DEB Committee Is Celebrating Two Years! |
|
Anyone can join the Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Committee (DEB)! To get involved, simply fill out the DEB Committee Volunteer Form, and a parent lead will reach out to you. If you have a direct question or concern about a diversity, equity, or belonging incident in the schoolhouse, please reach out to Dr. Stephanie Helfand, Principal, shelfand@kenilworth38.org.
Our meetings take place via Zoom, once a month, on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
We are excited to introduce parent support groups, additional educational programming, and another “One School, One Book” event this year. In addition, we will support the Sears Educational Equity Audit and contribute our ideas to the Master Facilities Plan. We have a ton of important work planned to celebrate our diversity in the schoolhouse, and we invite you to join us!
|
|
“As a fourth-generation American of Mexican descent, Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to share and educate others about the contributions Hispanics have made to this country. I feel a great deal of pride in my heritage. The contributions that Hispanics have made to the arts, science, entertainment, sports, education, politics, and public service have made the United States a more vibrant place. The importance of family and hard work are values that define Hispanic culture and ones I try to pass on to my children. Our stories deserve to be heard and celebrated.”
– Tanya Brown, mother to Max (third grade) and Carina (eighth grade)
|
|
We Are Celebrating: Notable Hispanic Americans
|
|
Juan Felipe Herrera, named the first Hispanic poet laureate of the United States in 2015
|
|
Sonia Sotomayor, appointed the first Hispanic female to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2009.
To read more, visit
|
|
Luis Walter Alvarez, the first U.S. Hispanic to be awarded the Nobel Prize for his work in physics in 1968
To read more, visit
|
|
Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic female selected by NASA to participate in a nine-day mission to space in 1993
To read more, visit
|
|
Roberto Clemente, the first Hispanic baseball player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973
|
|
Luis Munoz Marin, the first Hispanic to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963 for his work as an activist and statesman
To read more, visit
|
|
In February 2019, members of the JSSPVA met with the Joseph Sears School Administration to encourage richer dialogues and augmented programming around diversity, equity, and belonging in our school community. In response to this request, the JSSPVA and the administration co-created the DEB committee in August 2019 with monthly meetings beginning in November 2019. The committee is made up of parents, faculty, administration, socio-emotional learning team leads, and a school board member representative. This unique collaboration amongst school and community stakeholders allows for diverse perspectives on the committee and in the schoolhouse. |
|
The Joseph Sears School DEB Committee
Faculty/Staff Committee Members
Nancy Economou, Social Worker
Hilary Harvey, Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator
Bill Gordon, Vocal Music Teacher
Parent Committee Members:
Kathy Ambrosino, Marjorie Bransfield, Tanya Brown, Sarah Czepiel, Analia Elizalde,
Steve Fifita, Allison Fitzgerald, Brittany Gottschall, Joe Guarino, Varsha Kaura, Omar Khalaf,
Radhika Maheshwari, Anaga Maira, Sumita Mehta, Vanessa Menton, Steve Mugg,
Amisha Muthialu, Joanna Naftali, Kyra Nelson, Erin Paul,
Kristin Pilant, Janet Scholl, Meredith Sullivan
|
|
Interested in joining the DEB Committee? Please fill out the following form and a committee chairperson will reach out with more information. |
|
The Joseph Sears School Diversity, Equity, Belonging Committee
542 Abbotsford Road, Kenilworth, IL, 60043
School Office: 847-256-5006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
