JOIN OUR LISTENING SESSIONS ON RACE & RACISM The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of California State PTA is excited to host three Zoom "listening sessions" this month around race, racism and PTA. We want to hear from our members of color, in order for our organization to begin to improve the PTA experience. We aim to listen to your authentic voices to help guide us in making all our members feel included, valued, and respected. We acknowledge that our members experience PTA differently because of different aspects of their identity, so each listening session is aimed at a different racial/ethnic identity group. Each session will be a safe, confidential space for members of that particular group to honestly share, without the burden of code-switching* while participating. The sessions dates and groups are as follows: January 25, 6:00-7:00 pm: For Black/African American/multi-racial Black persons, facilitated by a Black/African American person. January 26, 6:00-7:00 pm: For those Indigenous to California lands or multi-racial Indigenous, facilitated by a person Indigenous to California. January 28, 6:00-7:00 pm: For non-Indigenous, non-Black persons of color or non-Black non-Indigenous multi-racial persons, facilitated by a non-Indigenous, non-Black person of color. If you or someone in your PTA is interested, please click here for further information on the types of attendees we are seeking, and who to contact to participate.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE RESOURCE LIBRARY? DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION LEARNING MATERIALS!

The Resource Library has lots of great new content for January. Check out these items and activities that support learning about diversity, equity and inclusion. Books Matter: Children's Literature, from the Anti-Defamation League: This searchable database of children's literature suggests books for all ages that address issues of identity, bias and bullying. Featured books come with discussion guides for teachers and parents. The Equity 8 - California's Key Legislative Principles Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, from The Education Trust-West: Learn about the eight key proposals that have the potential to advance educational equity and justice for California's students and educators during the pandemic. California YMCA Youth and Government, from YMCA: A six-month learning experience that teaches the values of democracy. Constitutional Rights Foundation: Gives students a deeper understanding of citizenship through values expressed in the US Constitution and its Bill of Rights. If you've never used the Resource Library before, why not give it a try? It's chock full of at-home learning activities, videos and documents that support the Next Generation Science Standards - and a whole lot more!