February 1 - February 5, 2021
The Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action is a great opportunity to learn, take action, and engage with local schools and teachers to center social justice and anti-racism. Share these ideas and resources widely.
For 2020-21, driven by the Uprising for Black lives, the Black Lives Matter at School coalition is committed to a Year Of Purpose! In addition to the week of action coming up, they call for ongoing action and reflection throughout the year in order to more deeply impact the change vital to making Black lives matter in schools, the community, and beyond! Check out the year of actions and activities.
Educate Yourself:
Learn about the 13 Guiding Principles that shape Black Lives Matter and are the core of the Black Lives Matter at Schools Week of Action. Learn more about the Movement for Black Lives Platform and how it connects to education. Include the young people in your life on this learning.
Read about Black Lives Matter in Schools Week of Action Demands. Read more about it.
See what’s going on around you for the Week of Action.
Read this guide to better understand issues of equity in pandemic schooling or check out this editorial about how we can’t go back to “normal” after the pandemic and racial uprisings of the summer.
Take Action:
Follow the work being done locally that centers the Week of Action demands.
Check out Freedom Inc Youth Squad’s activism and demands that center Black, brown, and southeast Asian lives. This June, after years of activism and organizing, these youth secured the removal of SROs from the four local high schools. Check out one of their statement about this demand.
Show gratitude for their leadership and support their work.
Engage Schools and Teachers:
Many staff in our schools support this Week of Action. Write to school principals or teachers about their participation in the week. Let them know you think it is important.
For principals:
Good morning/afternoon! I’m a parent of a (grade of child) and I’m interested in learning more about what the school is doing for the Black Lives Matter in Schools week of action starting February 1st. It is important to me that my child be exposed to and learn about ideas that center social justice and anti-racism in school and learn in a school environment that uplifts Black lives. This week of events seems like a great opportunity. Here’s what I’ve been looking at to learn more: https://www.blacklivesmatteratschool.com/ and here is the movement's really comprehensive collection of curriculum resources. I look forward to being in touch with you about this!
For teachers
Good morning/afternoon. As we get closer to February, I’ve been curious how you approach Black History Month in the classroom. I’m excited for (child’s name) to be exposed to and learn about ideas that center social justice and anti-racism during this month. I’ve been reading some about the Black Lives Matter in Schools week of action (here’s a link) and I really like the ideas and resources that are a part of that week. This same organization has this comprehensive collection of curriculum resources. Do you know if the school or grade level has anything planned related to this week of events? I’m excited for this kind of learning so let me know if there are ways I can support discussion or activities connected to this week! If there are other people I could get in touch with at the school, please let me know.
Share resources with educators and Madison community members:
MTI (the Madison Teachers’ Union) typically supports the week. This summer they made a statement related to the demands to remove SROs (school resource officers) from local schools. The support is important and the statement should be stronger.
Lesson plans and resources for all ages (including early childhood!)
Follow and share the Facebook page and Twitter feed for the Week of Action events
A great new book: Teaching For Black Lives from Rethinking Schools
Families for Justice is a network of people in Dane County seeking to dismantle white supremacy through multi-generational community organizing and direct action. Read more on our main page.
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