Mission
Pollyanna creates discussion platforms for groups of people to explore issues of diversity, equity and inclusion; and to share experiences and knowledge. We believe in being eternally optimistic even in the face of challenge.
Pollyanna exists to be part of the solution.
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Welcome back to the beginning of a new school year!
Like many of you, I read several books and articles this summer. A huge treat was having Michelle Obama read her book to me. But nothing gave me the same pleasure as reading an article written by Charles Dunst in
The Atlantic
:
When Kids Are Straight Until Proven Otherwise
. I've known Charles since he and my son, Zach, were in 2nd grade together. They continued at the same school through high school and are now a year out of college. In addition to
The Atlantic
, Charles has written for
The New York Times, The Washington Post,
the
Los Angeles Times, The New Republic, Foreign Policy, The American Prospect, Tablet, HuffPost,
the
Los Angeles Review of Books
, and
World Politics Review
. His most recent article is about giving pre-GLB kids permission to be themselves and how schools and adults can support them better. We can all be better at accepting and celebrating all kids. I hope you'll give it a read.
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Town School for Boys, Trevor and Marymount
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New Schools & Workshops
We are excited to announce that we've begun offering Racial Literacy Professional Development to schools.
In the past two weeks,
Monique Vogelsang, our Lead Curriculum Creator, has worked with faculty and staff
at
Marymount
(NY),
Town School for Boys
(CA), and
Trevor
(NY).
In the workshops, Monique has presented an in-depth overview of our Racial Literacy Curriculum, and in some cases, even worked closely with grades and divisions to create plans for incorporating racial literacy objectives into each school's unique existing curriculum. Monique and Pollyanna are looking forward to future workshops and presentations
, including the development of parent-centered events.
“My wish for Town around our work in racial literacy is that we don't forget it’s about race. As educators, we are part of a system built on racism. Other identity markers are important, but if we don't focus on race, we will perpetuate racism."
Jennifer Liu, Director of the New Teacher Institute, Town School for Boys
Cambridge School of Weston
in Weston, MA is now our host school in the Boston area, and will have its first independent school conference in April 2020.
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
in Austin, TX will host a Pollyanna intra-conference in January 2020 titled -
Community Through Inquiry: Culturally Responsive Teaching, Culturally Responsive Community.
Join the 100 schools that have downloaded our curriculum and join us for a PD workshop. Monique Vogelsang will run the 3-hour workshop on Saturday, September 21, 2019, from 9AM-noon, that will cover the framework of the curriculum, pedagogy and best practices, as well as examples of lessons from each grade. Please remember, the Curriculum is free and you may access it once you've
signed up for it on our site
. In addition, if you are interested in Pollyanna coming to your school to conduct professional development, please reply to this email.
Parent/Guardian Companion Guide for the K-8 Racial Literacy Curriculum Launches
For schools that have registered and downloaded the Curriculum, we're excited to announce the arrival of the Parent/Guardian Companion Guide. The Parent/Guardian Companion Guide provides an in-depth overview of each unit featured in the Racial Literacy Curriculum, recommends questions and conversation suggestions for parents and guardians to facilitate dialogue at home that centers on race, culture, and identity, and suggests reading and viewing material to enhance racial literacy. Serving to bridge the classroom and home, this Companion Guide will encourage teachers, parents and guardians to work together to best support their children’s growth.
Please reply to this email if you'd like to order the Companion Guide or to schedule us for a morning or evening discussion with the parents association.
Social Media
We want to connect with you! As Pollyanna launches into a new season full of conferences, workshops, and other exciting initiatives, we want to stay connected with all who have been involved. Head to our
Facebook
and
Instagram
to keep in touch. You’ll find updates, news, and more!
What We Offer
Independent School Conference
- Our first conference model is available to schools around the United States and Canada. The school that hosts this conference in a specific geographic region welcomes peer schools in that area to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion topics and generate action plans to create movement. Constituent groups included in the discussion are: administrators, alumni, DEI practitioners, faculty, parents, students and trustees.
Intra-Conference
- Our second conference model is open to all schools that would like to build community, develop a strategic plan, or rewrite mission and vision statements within their school. Constituent groups included in this model are: alumni, alumni parents, faculty/admin/staff, students and parents.
K-8 Racial Literacy Curriculum
- Engaging and accessible, the Curriculum is designed to help students gain knowledge about race as it has been constructed in the US, and aims to help students acquire an awareness of their own racial socialization and skills for engaging in productive conversations about race and racism. Click here to download this free curriculum.
K-8 Parent/Guardian Companion Guide
For more information on what we offer, please reply to this email and we'll be in touch.
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And some words for DEI practitioners, who face many challenges and achievements daily, I recommend a very helpful article in
DiversityIS
by
Tiffany Bridgewater
on practicing self-care. Wishing you a great start to the school year!
All my best,
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Contact us
to join the growing list of Schools in our family.
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Pollyanna, Inc. is a New York not-for-profit corporation 501(c)(3). © 2019 Pollyanna.
Louisa Wells: Design
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