JUNETEENTH GUEST READERS THIS WEEK
Every Lincoln-Eliot student will have the chance to hear a book about Juneteenth in their classroom this week.  Special guest readers will join in person or by Zoom to read a book to each class!  Thank you to every Lincoln-Eliot teacher for finding time in your wild end of the year schedule to host a reader!  Scheduled guest readers include Superintendent Fleishman, esteemed family members, school and district representatives and Senator Cynthia Stone Creem from the Massachusetts Senate!

Join Lincoln-Eliot’s FIRST Juneteenth Celebration – Friday, June 18th from 4-6p, Lincoln-Eliot Playground
Celebrate with us this Friday!  We’ll have lawn games, kite flying, Electric Slide instruction from a Newton High School Student, Double Dutch with a world champ, and Mr. Hani’s ice cream truck (treats available for purchase).  Bring a picnic, snacks and blankets and chairs if you’d like.  All are welcome!  Bring friends and family!

Newton North High School continues the festivities through the weekend!
Juneteenth is on Saturday June 19th.  FORJ, Newton Community Pride, and the Harmony Foundation are co-sponsoring a city-wide community event at the Hyde Playground in the Newton Highlands on Sunday, June 20th, commemorating this historic holiday.  (Requires Registration – see NNHS flyer for scan code to register)

LINCOLN-ELIOT FORJ KIDS BOOK CLUB RECAP
The L-E FORJ Kids Book Club read a selection from A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan.  We shared our favorite book characters, discussed family tradition, culture, food, differences, personality, motivation and racism.  We hope to read a book or two this summer, too, so contact L-E FORJ Coordinator Lanni Isenberg if you’d like to hear more: Lanni_harris@yahoo.com

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month
June is recognized as LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer) Pride month. Pride month was established in 1999 to lift the voices and ultimately, increase the rights of the LGBTQ community.  People fighting for human rights, civil rights, and legal rights sometimes have to remind supporters to think inclusively.  Political strategist and U.S. civil rights activist Bayard Rustin believed strongly in social justice and achieving goals through nonviolence.  He was gay and he did not hide it at a time when people were arrested for being gay.  Rustin served as an adviser to Martin Luther King, Jr. and is credited for introducing MLK to nonviolent strategy and was the main organizer of the 1963 March on Washington.  In 1969, Rustin wrote:

“If we desire a society of peace, then we cannot achieve such a society through violence. If we desire a society without discrimination, then we must not discriminate against anyone in the process of building this society. If we desire a society that is democratic, then democracy must become a means as well as an end.”

GIVE TO THE METCO SCHOLARSHIP FUND
To support the 40 graduating seniors from both Newton North and Newton South as they move on to pursue their future dreams, consider contributing to The Newton METCO Community Scholarship Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/newtonmetcoscholar

M.E.T.C.O. Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity is a state-funded educational program designed to eliminate racial imbalance through the busing of children from Boston and Springfield to public systems in surrounding suburban metropolitan communities.

Upcoming FORJ City-Wide Meeting:
Wednesday June 16th 7:30-9pm – Fostering Equity-Focused Family Engagement with Immigrant Families  RSVP here

JOIN A FORJ SCHOOL CHAPTER!
The Bigelow Middle School FORJ chapter is looking for more members. If you’d like to join their chapter this summer or in the fall OR the Lincoln-Eliot FORJ chapter, please contact L-E FORJ Coordinator Lanni Isenberg: lanni_harris@yahoo.com!

FORJ (Families Organizing for Racial Justice) is a coalition of school-aged families in Newton coming together to teach our children – and ourselves – how to stand up for racial equity.  We seek to generate understanding and curiosity about the differences in our society.

We strive to achieve safe and welcoming environments that enhance the well-being of all people.  We promote healing and connection between individuals and communities.  We speak out against injustice, support our kids to be upstanders, and take action to address bias and inequity.

Upcoming FORJ City-Wide Meeting:
Wednesday June 16th 7:30-9pm – Fostering Equity-Focused Family Engagement with Immigrant Families  RSVP here

LINCOLN-ELIOT FORJ KIDS BOOK CLUB – Wednesday, June 9th at 4:30pm (ZOOM)
The L-E FORJ Kids Book Club selected A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan to read for the next meeting on Zoom on Wednesday, June 9th at 4:30 p.m. ET.  This book is recommended for 9-12 year olds, but all family members are welcome.  Please RSVP to L-E FORJ Coordinator Lanni Isenberg if you’d like to join the chat: Lanni_harris@yahoo.com  (The book is available to borrow from Newton libraries, electronically and for purchase on a variety of online bookstores.)

Join Lincoln-Eliot’s FIRST Juneteenth Celebration – Friday, June 18th from 4-6p, Lincoln-Eliot Playground
Come see friends, join and learn the Electric Slide and Double Dutch jump rope, enjoy Mr. Hani’s ice cream truck (treats available for purchase), and/or bring a picnic, snacks and blankets and chairs if you’d like.

Newton North High School continues the festivities through the weekend!
Juneteenth is on Saturday June 19th.  FORJ, Newton Community Pride, and the Harmony Foundation are co-sponsoring a city-wide community event at the Hyde Playground in the Newton Highlands on Sunday, June 20th, commemorating this historic holiday.  (Requires Registration – see NNHS flyer for scan code to register)

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month
June is also recognized as LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer) Pride month.  While Pride month was not established until the Clinton Administration in 1999, Author/Poet/Activist Audre Lorde (1934-1992) many years before then offered words about celebrating and recognizing voices in our communities:

“Without community, there is no liberation…but community must not mean a shedding of our differences, nor the pathetic pretense that these differences do not exist.” – Audre Lorde

FORJ (Families Organizing for Racial Justice) is a coalition of school-aged families in Newton coming together to teach our children – and ourselves – how to stand up for racial equity.  We seek to generate understanding and curiosity about the differences in our society.

We strive to achieve safe and welcoming environments that enhance the well-being of all people.  We promote healing and connection between individuals and communities.  We speak out against injustice, support our kids to be upstanders, and take action to address bias and inequity.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming FORJ City-Wide Meetings: 

• Tuesday May 25th 7:30pm-9pm – “The Universe is on the Side of Justice”: Advocating for a Racially Just Newton.  Looking at the how and why of advocacy and how to avoid common pitfalls.  RSVP here 
• Wednesday June 16th 7:30-9pm – Fostering Equity-Focused Family Engagement with Immigrant Families.  RSVP here

MAY IS ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

Check out these AAPI-centered events:

• Monday, May 24th at 2pm – BUILDING AAPI POWER
  The Asian Community Fund and the Boston Foundation offer a data presentation assessing the needs of the AAPI community.  Afterward, community leaders Carolyn Chou (Asian American Resource Workshop) and Souvanna Pouv (Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell) will talk about how those needs can be met to create lasting change.  Free.  https://events.tbf.org/event/home/buildingaapipower
• Also, this youth band of Asian American and Latinx girls from Los Angeles is making news with their song addressing racism one of their band members faced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCBn-70_HcE

COVID Crisis in India

The devastating losses continue in India due to COVID-19.  We are thinking about all in our community who have family in India and ways that we can support each other.  Consider providing comfort to our local community and direct relief to those in India.

Some ways to locally support families: 

• Offer to cook a meal so they can focus on providing emotional support to their families in India
• Ask if they need any resources to send to their families
• Offer to help with a GoFund Me page if they need money to support care or funeral costs
• Provide healing circles in your community to give people space to connect and share their experiences

Donate to direct relief agencies: 

Organizations working on COVID RESPONSE in INDIA

Here are few in which we know Newton residents are closely involved:

One of our Lincoln-Eliot parents shared an organization they have been working with for many years —  Vibha: www.Vibha.org

Vibha works with local NGOs in different cities in India to send oxygen concentrators and other essential medical supplies.  See how you can help:

https://campaigns.vibha.org/campaigns/vibha-a-ray-of-light

https://vibha.org/covid-campaign-details/

Akshaya Patra: https://www.akshayapatra.org/covid-relief-services

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, in close coordination with State Governments & District Administration, has stepped in to provide relief by providing food to thousands of people across the country.

Ekal Vidyalaya: https://www.ekal.org/us/campaign-detail/covid-crisis-support

Ekal USA is gathering funds to send diagnostic equipment and medicines to the villages. Ekal, in conjunction with Intelehealth, our tele-health partner has established a health-line of 1000 Karyakartas to answer calls from the villages. The health-line provides instant connection to doctors of the National Medicos Organization so that expert help can be made available as needed. With these measures – hotline and addition of the diagnostic equipment and medicines we can help EKAL VILLAGES TIDE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

To learn more about what is happening in India, please read: COVID-19 took my wife: Battling a sneaky virus in healthcare system under stress where the only consolation is humanity.  Written by a relative of a student at Cabot Elementary School.

Facebook Virtual Affinity Space FORJ Families of Color

FORJ Members created a Facebook page for Families of Color to connect and communicate.  You don’t have to be a member of FORJ to join the group.  Families of Color and families with children who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color are encouraged to check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/293432345707888

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration Location Petition – October 11, 2021

The BAA rescheduled the 2021 Boston Marathon for Indigenous Peoples Day, October 11^th.  This decision was made without consulting Indigenous people.  Because of the Marathon, the City of Newton said that city resources are strapped and the Indigenous Peoples Day event must move to Newton South High School, not an optimal location because it’s not near public transit and is not a highly visible locale.  If you’d like to join the effort to move the event to Albemarle Field (equidistant to Newton South, but more visible to the public and accessible by transit), please reach out to Mayor Fuller and your Ward Councilors to let them know.  You can write your own letter, or just copy and paste this letter!

(Click here if you are not sure who your Ward Councilors are.)

And, if you would like to sign this petition urging the BAA to change the Marathon date, click here.

LINCOLN-ELIOT FORJ KIDS BOOK CLUB – Wednesday, June 9th at 4:30pm (ZOOM)

Please note we are moving the FORJ Book Club meeting one week later, to Wednesday, June 9th, to give everyone more time to read the book!  The L-E FORJ Kids Book Club selected “A Place at the Table” by Saadia Faruqi to read for our next meeting on Zoom.  This book is recommended for 9-12 year olds, but all family members are welcome.  Please RSVP to L-E FORJ Coordinator Lanni Isenberg if you’d like to join the chat: Lanni_harris@yahoo.com  (The book is available to borrow from Newton libraries, electronically, and for purchase at a variety of online bookstores.)

May 25th is the One Year Anniversary of the Killing of George Floyd

Tuesday, May 25th marks the 1 year anniversary of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers.  If you haven’t talked with your family about racism and anti-racism or this tragic event, here are some tips for how to get started.

1st Lincoln-Eliot Juneteenth Celebration

On Friday, June 18th, Lincoln-Eliot and all of Newton Public Schools will be closed in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.  Also called Freedom Day, Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 when a troop of Union soldiers arrived in Texas and announced to enslaved people that the Civil War ended in 1863 and they were free.   Stay tuned for details on a celebration and opportunities for read alouds for DLA and in-person classes. Contact Lanni Isenberg, lanni_harris@yahoo.com, if you’d like to help!

FORJ (Families Organizing for Racial Justice) is a coalition of school-aged families in Newton coming together to teach our children – and ourselves – how to stand up for racial equity.  We seek to generate understanding and curiosity about the differences in our society.

We strive to achieve safe and welcoming environments that enhance the well-being of all people.  We promote healing and connection between individuals and communities.  We speak out against injustice, support our kids to be upstanders, and take action to address bias and inequity.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming FORJ City-Wide Meetings: 

• Tuesday May 25th 7:30pm-9pm – “The Universe is on the Side of Justice”: Advocating for a Racially Just Newton.  Looking at the how and why of advocacy and how to avoid common pitfalls.  RSVP here 
• Wednesday June 16th 7:30-9pm – Fostering Equity-Focused Family Engagement with Immigrant Families.  RSVP here

MAY IS ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

Check out these AAPI-centered events:

• Tuesday, May 18th from 7pm-8pm – Chinese America and Anti-Asian Hate: Reflections of a Historian and an Artist (Virtual)
  
  Co-sponsored by CAAN (Chinese American Association of Newton), NESN (Newton Education Support Network), Newton Human Rights Commission, and the Newton Free Library.The Asian American community has long struggled for visibility and equity, and this community has faced additional physical and mental health harms that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Over the past year, we have seen a sharp increase in anti-Asian hate crimes and hate incidents.  The session will deepen our understanding of the Asian American experience through an interactive dialogue with Professor Lisong Liu and Artist Wen-ti Tsen.

  RSVP HERE: https://newtonfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/7738183

   

• Monday, May 24th at 2pm – BUILDING AAPI POWER
  
  The Asian Community Fund and the Boston Foundation offer a data presentation assessing the needs of the AAPI community.  Afterward, community leaders Carolyn Chou (Asian American Resource Workshop) and Souvanna Pouv (Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell) will talk about how those needs can be met to create lasting change.  Free.  https://events.tbf.org/event/home/buildingaapipower

COVID Crisis in India

There continue to be staggering losses in India due to COVID-19.  We are thinking about all in our community who have family in India and ways that we can support each other.  Consider providing comfort to our local community and direct relief to those in India.

Some ways to locally support families: 

• Offer to cook a meal so they can focus on providing emotional support to their families in India
• Ask if they need any resources to send to their families
• Offer to help with a GoFund Me page if they need money to support care or funeral costs
• Provide healing circles in your community to give people space to connect and share their experiences

Donate to direct relief agencies: 

Organizations working on COVID RESPONSE in INDIA

Here are few in which we know Newton residents are closely involved:

One of our Lincoln-Eliot parents shared an organization they have been working with for many years —  Vibha: www.Vibha.org

Vibha works with local NGOs in different cities in India to send oxygen concentrators and other essential medical supplies.  See how you can help:

https://campaigns.vibha.org/campaigns/vibha-a-ray-of-light

https://vibha.org/covid-campaign-details/

Akshaya Patra: https://www.akshayapatra.org/covid-relief-services

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, in close coordination with State Governments & District Administration, has stepped in to provide relief by providing food to thousands of people across the country.

Ekal Vidyalaya: https://www.ekal.org/us/campaign-detail/covid-crisis-support

Ekal USA is gathering funds to send diagnostic equipment and medicines to the villages. Ekal, in conjunction with Intelehealth, our tele-health partner has established a health-line of 1000 Karyakartas to answer calls from the villages. The health-line provides instant connection to doctors of the National Medicos Organization so that expert help can be made available as needed. With these measures – hotline and addition of the diagnostic equipment and medicines we can help EKAL VILLAGES TIDE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

To learn more about what is happening in India, please read: COVID-19 took my wife: Battling a sneaky virus in healthcare system under stress where the only consolation is humanity.  Written by a relative of a student at Cabot Elementary School.

Facebook Virtual Affinity Space FORJ Families of Color

FORJ Members created a Facebook page for Families of Color to connect and communicate.  You don’t have to be a member of FORJ to join the group.  Families of Color and families with children who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color are encouraged to check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/293432345707888

Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School Shared Values — RESPECT, Excellence, Lifelong Learning, and Responsibility

Lincoln-Eliot scholars learn from the start four Core Values we can all strive to share with one another at school and at home:

1. Respect and appreciate themselves, human differences, the community, and the environment.

2. Strive for academic excellence through risk taking and consistent effort.

3. Develop an enthusiasm for lifelong learning.

4. Assume responsibility for one’s own actions.

FORJ will share these values again from time to time for all to practice!  (source: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/domain/733)

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration Location Petition – October 11, 2021

The BAA rescheduled the 2021 Boston Marathon for Indigenous Peoples Day, October 11^th.  This decision was made without consulting Indigenous people.  Because of the Marathon, the City of Newton said that city resources are strapped and the Indigenous Peoples Day event must move to Newton South High School, not an optimal location because it’s not near public transit and is not a highly visible locale.  If you’d like to join the effort to move the event to Albemarle Field (equidistant to Newton South, but more visible to the public and accessible by transit), please reach out to Mayor Fuller and your Ward Councilors to let them know.  You can write your own letter, or just copy and paste this letter!

(Click here if you are not sure who your Ward Councilors are.)

And, if you would like to sign this petition urging the BAA to change the Marathon date, click here.

LINCOLN-ELIOT FORJ KIDS BOOK CLUB – Wednesday, June 2nd at 4:30pm (ZOOM)

The L-E FORJ Kids Book Club selected “A Place at the Table” by Saadia Faruqi to read for the next meeting on Zoom on Wednesday, June 2^nd at 4:30 p.m.  This book is recommended for 9-12 year olds, but all family members are welcome.  Please RSVP to L-E FORJ Coordinator Lanni Isenberg if you’d like to join the chat: Lanni_harris@yahoo.com  (The book is available to borrow from Newton libraries, electronically, and for purchase on a variety of online bookstores.)

FORJ (Families Organizing for Racial Justice) is a coalition of school-aged families in Newton coming together to teach our children – and ourselves – how to stand up for racial equity.  We seek to generate understanding and curiosity about the differences in our society.

We strive to achieve safe and welcoming environments that enhance the well-being of all people.  We promote healing and connection between individuals and communities.  We speak out against injustice, support our kids to be upstanders, and take action to address bias and inequity.

Mark your calendars for upcoming FORJ City-Wide Meetings:

Tuesday May 25th 7:30pm-9pm – “The Universe is on the Side of Justice”: Advocating for a Racially Just Newton.  Looking at the how and why of advocacy and how to avoid common pitfalls.  RSVP here.

Wednesday June 16th 7:30-9pm – Fostering Equity-Focused Family Engagement with Immigrant Families.  RSVP here.

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.  Newsletter to follow with more information.

COVID Crisis in India

We are saddened by the staggering losses in India due to COVID-19.  We are thinking about all in our community who have family in India and ways that we can support each other.
Consider providing comfort to our local community and direct relief to those in India.
Some ways to locally support families:

• Offer to cook a meal so they can focus on providing emotional support to their families in India
• Ask if they need any resources to send to their families
• Offer to help with a GoFund Me page if they need money to support care or funeral costs
• Provide healing circles in your community to give people space to connect and share their experiences

Donate to direct relief agencies:

Organizations working on COVID RESPONSE in INDIA — here are few in which we know Newton residents are closely involved:

Akshaya Patra: https://www.akshayapatra.org/covid-relief-services

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, in close coordination with State Governments & District Administration, has stepped in to provide relief by providing food to thousands of people across the country.

Ekal Vidyalaya: https://www.ekal.org/us/campaign-detail/covid-crisis-support

Ekal USA is gathering funds to send diagnostic equipment and medicines to the villages.  Ekal, in conjunction with Intelehealth, our tele-health partner has established a health-line of 1000 Karyakartas to answer calls from the villages.  The health-line provides instant connection to doctors of the National Medicos Organization so that expert help can be made available as needed.  With these measures — hotline and addition of the diagnostic equipment and medicines — we can help EKAL VILLAGES TIDE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

To read more about what is happening in India please read: COVID-19 took my wife: Battling a sneaky virus in healthcare system under stress where the only consolation is humanity.  Written by a relative of a student at Cabot Elementary School.

Facebook Virtual Affinity Space FORJ Families of Color
FORJ Members created a Facebook page for Families of Color to connect and communicate.  You don’t have to be a member of FORJ to join the group.  Families of Color and families with children who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color are encouraged to check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/293432345707888

Newton METCO Family Council – Connections & Social Space
Families in the METCO program can connect with each other with the Newton METCO Family Council.  If you’d like to participate in a social before summer, contact newtonfamilycouncil@gmail.com

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration Location Petition – October 11, 2021
The BAA rescheduled the 2021 Boston Marathon for Indigenous Peoples Day, October 11th.  This decision was made without consulting Indigenous people.  Because of the Marathon, the City of Newton said that city resources are strapped and the Indigenous Peoples Day event must move to Newton South High School, not an optimal location because it’s not near public transit and is not a highly visible locale.  If you’d like to join the effort to move the event to Albemarle Field, which is equidistant to Newton South, but more visible to the public and accessible by transit, please reach out to Mayor Fuller and your Ward Councilors to let them
know.  You can write your own letter, or just copy and paste this letter!

(Click here if you are not sure who your Ward Councilors are.)

If you would like to sign the petition urging the BAA to change the Marathon date, click here.

District Update: Staff of Color Affinity Groups in Newton Public Schools
Staff of Color in Newton Public Schools (NPS) represent a small percentage of the overall school population.  This may present challenges of isolation, exclusion and lack of community.  The hope is that providing affinity spaces will offer a place for support and safety which will positively impact experiences in NPS.  With support from Newton Schools Foundation, FORJ has launched district-wide affinity groups for all NPS staff who identify as BIPOC (Black/Indigenous/Person of Color).

Staff will meet bi-monthly with their grade cohorts, as well as be invited to district-wide events held at the beginning and end of each school year.

Planning will prioritized needs and feedback from BIPOC staff with these objectives in mind:

• Offer safe spaces to meet other staff of color with similar responsibilities and challenges
• Create opportunities for staff of color to discuss and support daily challenges of microaggressions and racism
• Learn and share strategies to implement in support of inclusion, diverse curriculum and school-based activities
• Develop networking and mentorship opportunities to support career advancement

For more information, visit: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/3877

NPS Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has a webpage
Please visit this page to stay informed of updates and events in the district and to access resources: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Domain/1438

JOIN A FORJ SCHOOL CHAPTER!
The Bigelow Middle School FORJ chapter is looking for more members.  If you’d like to join their chapter this summer or in the fall OR the Lincoln-Eliot FORJ chapter, please contact L-E FORJ Coordinator Lanni Isenberg at lanni_harris@yahoo.com!

FORJ (Families Organizing for Racial Justice) is a coalition of school-aged families in Newton coming together to teach our children – and ourselves – how to stand up for racial equality.

Recent FORJ Meeting – School Chapters In Action
Last week, FORJ representatives from Newton schools met to review accomplishments, pool resources and discuss challenges.  Participants noted the ability to expand FORJ participation with the use of Zoom.  This year, schools hosted multi-cultural nights featuring engaging pre-recorded cooking demos and cultural demonstrations by kids.  Peirce Elementary held a family storytime and art projects on activism and the Harlem Renaissance.  Countryside Elementary School hosted a listening circle after the murders in Atlanta in March.  Lincoln-Eliot hosted our FORJ Kids Book Clubs.  More information on the June L-E FORJ Book Club coming to you this week!

Facebook Virtual Affinity Space FORJ Families of Color
FORJ Members created a Facebook page for Families of Color to connect and communicate.  You don’t have to be a member of FORJ to join the group.  Families of Color and families with children who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color are encouraged to check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/293432345707888

Newton METCO Family Council – Connections & Social Space
Families in the METCO program can connect with each other with the Newton METCO Family Council.  If you’d like to participate in a social before summer, contact newtonfamilycouncil@gmail.com

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration Location Petition – October 11, 2021
The BAA rescheduled the 2021 Boston Marathon for Indigenous Peoples Day, October 11th.  This decision was made without consulting Indigenous people.  Because of the Marathon, the City of Newton said that city resources are strapped and the Indigenous Peoples Day event must move to Newton South High School, not an optimal location because it’s not near public transit and is not a highly visible locale.  If you’d like to join the effort to move the event to Albemarle Field, which is equidistant to Newton South, but more visible to the public and accessible by transit, please reach out to Mayor Fuller and your Ward Councilors to let them
know.  You can write your own letter, or just copy and paste this letter!

(Click here if you are not sure who your Ward Councilors are.)

If you would like to sign the petition urging the BAA to change the Marathon date, click here.

District Update: Staff of Color Affinity Groups in Newton Public Schools
Staff of Color in Newton Public Schools (NPS) represent a small percentage of the overall school population.  This may present challenges of isolation, exclusion and lack of community.  The hope is that providing affinity spaces will offer a place for support and safety which will positively impact experiences in NPS.  With support from Newton Schools Foundation, FORJ has launched district-wide affinity groups for all NPS staff who identify as BIPOC (Black/Indigenous/Person of Color).

Staff will meet bi-monthly with their grade cohorts, as well as be invited to district-wide events held at the beginning and end of each school year.

Planning will prioritized needs and feedback from BIPOC staff with these objectives in mind:

• Offer safe spaces to meet other staff of color with similar responsibilities and challenges
• Create opportunities for staff of color to discuss and support daily challenges of microaggressions and racism
• Learn and share strategies to implement in support of inclusion, diverse curriculum and school-based activities
• Develop networking and mentorship opportunities to support career advancement

For more information, visit: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/3877

NPS Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has a webpage
Please visit this page to stay informed of updates and events in the district and to access resources: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Domain/1438

Mark your calendars for upcoming FORJ City-Wide Meetings:
Tuesday May 25th 7:30pm-9pm – Looking at the how and why of advocacy and how to avoid common pitfalls.  More information to follow.
Wednesday June 16th 7:30-9pm – End of the year celebration.
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.  Newsletter to follow with more information.

JOIN A FORJ SCHOOL CHAPTER!
The Bigelow Middle School FORJ chapter is looking for more members.  If you’d like to join their chapter this summer or in the fall OR the Lincoln-Eliot FORJ chapter, please contact L-E FORJ Coordinator Lanni Isenberg at lanni_harris@yahoo.com!

FORJ (Families Organizing for Racial Justice) is a coalition of school-aged families in Newton coming together to teach our children – and ourselves – how to stand up for racial equality.

FORJ SCHOOL CHAPTER MEETING
Thursday, April 29th 7:30pm- 9pm
RSVP HERE to receive the Zoom Link

School-based FORJ groups will come together (Zoom) after a long while since they last met to learn about the work happening at the different chapters.  Please join us on April 29th to discuss the new FORJ Chapter “Playbook”, which provides additional details on how to run a successful FORJ Chapter.  The group will also meet with grade level cohorts (elementary/middle/high schools) to discuss ideas and connect.  This meeting is open to anyone interested in running a FORJ Chapter, all welcome and definitely bring a friend 😉

Mark your calendars for upcoming FORJ City-Wide Meetings:

Tuesday May 25th 7:30pm-9pm – Looking at the how and why of advocacy and how to avoid common pitfalls. More information to follow.
Wednesday June 16th 7:30-9pm – End of the year celebration
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Neurodiversity and Race: April is Autism Acceptance Month (also called Autism Awareness Month)

Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy & Management hosted a 7-day Neurodiversity Inclusion Challenge, providing curated readings and other materials to inspire discussion, learning and ultimately, influence policy for our neurodiverse community.  See Day 3 Readings on the topic of Neurodiversity, Race & Ethnicity: https://heller.brandeis.edu/diversity/learning/nd-challenge.html

Here are two of the voices raised: Kayla Smith, “Disability Rights in Black 2020” (Video, 2:09 mins) and Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, “Autistics of Color: We Exist…We Matter” (Reprinted February 19, 2020)

L-E FORJ Kids’ Book Club
Please watch for a scheduling message for the June edition of the Lincoln-Eliot FORJ Kids’ Book Club.  We’ll circulate info on the book to read and kids and their families can have a Zoom chat to discuss!

Books we’ve read include graphic novels New Kid by Jerry Craft and When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson and the novel Front Desk by Kelly Yang.

JOIN A FORJ SCHOOL CHAPTER!
The Bigelow Middle School FORJ chapter is looking for more members.  If you’d like to join their chapter this summer or in the fall OR the Lincoln-Eliot FORJ chapter, please contact L-E FORJ Coordinator Lanni Isenberg: lanni_harris@yahoo.com!

FORJ (Families Organizing for Racial Justice) is a coalition of school-aged families in Newton coming together to teach our children – and ourselves – how to stand up for racial equality.

FORJ CITY-WIDE EVENT hosted by Newton South High School FORJ
FORJ Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Solidarity Night
Wednesday, April 14th 7-8:30pm, with open discussion until 9pm
RSVP HERE to receive the Zoom Link

Come join parents, students, teachers, and community members to support our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community through an evening of learning and connection!  Sponsored by FORJ NSHS (Families Organizing for Racial Justice @ Newton South)

You will learn about:

• the historical and systemic roots of violence and discrimination against AAPI communities
• how AAPI communities are suffering in terms of mental health and how to help
• ways to support our young people, family members and friends during this difficult time

Special Guest Facilitators: Michele Leong and Charlene Beh from Newton North High School
Will offer breakout rooms for participants to connect with each other in small groups.

FORJ SCHOOL CHAPTER MEETING
Thursday, April 29th 7:30pm- 9pm
RSVP HERE to receive the Zoom Link

School-based FORJ groups will come together (over Zoom) after a long while since they last met to learn about the work happening at the different chapters.  Please join us on April 29th to discuss the new FORJ Chapter “Playbook”, which provides additional details on how to run a successful FORJ Chapter.  The group will also meet with grade level cohorts (elementary/middle/high schools) to discuss ideas and connect.  This meeting is open to anyone interested in running a FORJ Chapter, all welcome and definitely bring a friend 😉

Mark your calendars for upcoming FORJ City-Wide Meetings:

Thursday, April 15, 6PM – Boston School Desegregation through the Rearview Mirror, Mass. Historical Society
Monday, April 22, 12pm – The Impact of Increased Exposure to Diversity on Suburban Students’ Outcomes: An Analysis of the METCO Voluntary Desegregation Program
Tuesday May 25th 7:30pm-9pm – Looking at the how and why of advocacy and how to avoid common pitfalls. More information to follow.
Wednesday June 16th 7:30-9pm – End of the year celebration
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

FORJ (Families Organizing for Racial Justice) is a coalition of school-aged families in Newton coming together to teach our children – and ourselves – how to stand up for racial equality. Our Lincoln-Eliot FORJ contact is parent Lanni Isenberg: lanni_harris@yahoo.com