As many of you know, the Hillcrest Elementary PTA has an active Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Not quite two years old, we’ve focused much of our energy and activity on the Equity piece of our work. We host a monthly discussion group to tackle issues like systemic racism and cultural appropriation; have formed a student… Read More »
This year the Autism Society of America, along with leading disability organizations across the country, announced that it is formally shifting references of “Autism Awareness Month” to “Autism Acceptance Month” because “inclusion begins with acceptance.” Though there is no curative treatment for ASD, and no solid explanation for its cause, the internet can be a… Read More »
Laylat al Bara’at is a Muslim holiday celebrated at night, which is associated with the descent of God from heaven and the generous forgiveness of sins. It is regarded as a night when the fortunes of individuals for the coming year are decided and when Allah may forgive sinners. Therefore, on this night every year many Muslims pray… Read More »
Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates spring, love, and new life. It also celebrate the Hindu god Krishna. This year, Holi begins March 29, but celebrations begin the night before. After sundown, at the Holika Dahan, people gather to perform religious rituals in front of a bonfire, and to pray that their internal evil be… Read More »
The Equity Committee has officially revamped the format of its Book Club: it is now the Equity Discussion Group! Our hope is that this new format will be more accessible to members of the community who haven’t attended in the past because they weren’t able or didn’t want to read the books. There is “suggested prep work”… Read More »
By now, we hope you know very well that we have a website designed to inform and support the Hillcrest community. We post fairly regularly, with an emphasis on bringing attention to ways we can call out inequity in our school and community, as well as how we can try to support vulnerable members of… Read More »
Today, March 13, is the beginning of Deaf History Month, commemorating the achievements of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Running through April 15, the dates were chosen to commemorate three important moments in deaf education history spanning a century and a half: March 13, 1988 – Deaf President Now! protest (above) at… Read More »
Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day. Celebrated for over a century in one way or another, International Women’s Day is now a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and also serves as a call to action for accelerating gender parity. With roots in the Socialist Party, the first… Read More »
This month, the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee is going to try something different. Did you know that we have a website designed to inform and support the Hillcrest community? We post fairly regularly, with an emphasis on bringing attention to ways we can call out inequity in our school and community, as well as… Read More »
March is Women’s History Month, and no doubt our students will be spending time in the classroom learning about brave, innovative, and pioneering women who changed the world. Yet the classroom can only share so much. There is much more to learn about the many, many women who have made, shaped, and changed, history! Sometimes… Read More »
