Recognizing Black History Month and our Ongoing Commitment to Equity

This Black History Month, we are reminded of the importance of honoring Black communities' rich history, contributions, and resilience. This year’s theme is African Americans and Labor.

February has fewer in-class days than other months in the school year, which means fewer opportunities to celebrate Black history in class. However, teachers are incorporating specific lessons and activities to grow students’ understanding of Black history and its ongoing impact. Read more here.

We recognize that our commitments to this work must extend beyond February. This school year, Explorer West faculty has committed to regular meetings focused on anti-bias and anti-racist efforts. We revisit our objectives as a team and continue to work toward embodying what we do and how we think–as a team and as a school.

Outside of Black History Month, we persist in strengthening our efforts to support our students' learning year-round. At times, this work may not be visible to families. We want to share initiatives that demonstrate our commitment to fostering an inclusive and affirming environment for all students:

• Focused Faculty Meetings: Monthly, one faculty meeting focuses on anti-bias and anti-racist work.
• Teaching for Black Lives Faculty Reading Group: We are engaging in critical conversations around the Teaching for Black Lives book, focusing on strategies to affirm Black students’ experiences and histories while fostering anti-racist practices in the classroom.
• 7th Grade Language Arts: Lisa has been working with students to explore moral and ethical decision-making through diverse lenses, ensuring that Black voices and individual experiences are represented and valued.
• Student ABAR (Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist) Committee: This student-centered community service committee empowers young leaders to advocate for equity and inclusion within our school community. The students can share their perspectives and create meaningful change.
• Student Diversity Leadership Retreat: Student representatives will join students from around the region for this transformative experience. They will engage in workshops and discussions that cultivate their leadership skills and deepen their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Kinship Circle: Rooted in restorative practices, our Kinship Circle in December event was an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and build supportive relationships through art and dialogue.
• Family Culture Project: This initiative will start in February. Students and their families are invited to explore and celebrate their cultural identities. This project aims to foster a greater sense of belonging and appreciation for the diverse backgrounds within our community.
• May Family Network Meeting: May 15, 2025, This meeting will focus on our DEIJB work and gathering family experiences. More information will be shared after mid-winter break.

We are committed to fostering an environment where every student feels seen, heard, and valued, and we are grateful for the partnership of our families in this endeavor. We value our community's thoughts and feedback.