DEI

You Are Influential to Your Children and Your Community – Stand Up to Hate

In addition to producing events that help us connect, learn and grow, the DEI committee is also here to support parents. As we head into United Against Hate Week across Lamorinda, we feel it is important for all of us to make time to talk about discrimination and acts of hate this week. An easy way to open up a conversation might be to simply ask if your student knows that the City of Lafayette observes a United Against Hate Week. You don’t need to supply all the content – it isn’t a lecture, just start the discussion. You Are Influential to Your Children and Your Community – Stand Up to Hate.

Please visit our DEI Committee Page here for our full message and valuable tips for talking with your family about these important topics.

Another DEI event occurring this week in Lafayette – 
Community Conversation #6: See Us, Hear Us – The Renter’s Narrative of Life in Lafayette – Wednesday, Nov 16 from 7-8:30pm at the Lafayette Library, Don Tatzin Community Hall. Open to all. Hosted by the Lafayette Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. For more information, click here.

Questions, suggestions or feedback? Click here.

November is National Native American Heritage Month
U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, made history when she became the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. She is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and a 35th generation New Mexican. To learn more about Secretary Haaland, click here.
 
Visit this site for information on national events taking place this month honoring the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.
 
Local DEIB Events This Month:

• Latinx/Indigenous People’s Festival Wednesday, Nov 9, 5:30-7:30pm at Miramonte. This is open to all of AUHSD. Click here for more details.  

• Community Conversation #6: See Us, Hear Us – The Renter’s Narrative of Life in Lafayette Wednesday, Nov 16 from 7-8:30pm at the Lafayette Library, Don Tatzin Community Hall. Open to all. Hosted by the Lafayette Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. For more information, click here.

Possibilities Programs for ACA Alums and HBCU Undergrads
Goldman Sachs Possibilities Programs provide a masterclass in financial concepts and professional development to a diverse pool of undergraduates. Deadline to apply is Sunday, Nov 27. For more information and guidelines, check out their flyers:  PossibilitiesSummits and HBCU Possibilities Program.
 
Are we missing anything? Send us feedback or suggestions here.

November is full of community-focused equity events. Attend all that interest you!

• AAPI Parent Affinity Group Tuesday, Nov 1 at 7pm in the Campo Library. Open to all Asian, South Asian, South/Asian American identifying parents/guardians/caretakers of teenagers in AUHSD or related middle schools. Check out the flyer here for more info and please RSVP ASAP if you’re interested in attending.
• Latinx/Indigenous People’s Festival Wednesday, Nov 9, 5:30-7:30pm at Miramonte. This is open to all of AUHSD. Click here for more details.  
• Community Conversation #6: See Us, Hear Us – The Renter’s Narrative of Life in Lafayette Wednesday, Nov 16 from 7-8:30pm at the Lafayette Library, Don Tatzin Community Hall. Open to all. Hosted by the Lafayette Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. For more information, click here.

Have a suggestion, question, or some feedback? Email us

Diwali, a popular and joyful Hindu holiday commonly referred to as the Festival of Lights, takes place on Monday, Oct 24 in the U.S. Learn more about Diwali and check out theseplaces you can celebrate in the Bay Area, including lighting a diya or enjoying colorful rangoli. And, don’t forget the sweets!
 
Continuing our observance of LGBTQ History month, a reminder to check out the GLBTHistorical Society in San Francisco. The museum demonstrates the importance of queer history to the public and shares rich stories of everyday queer life among the diverse populations of San Francisco over the last century.
 
Upcoming Events in the Lamorinda Area

• AAPI Parent Affinity Space Tuesday, Nov 1 at 7pm in the Campo Library. Open to all Asian, South Asian, South/Asian American identifying parents/guardians/caretakers of teenagers in AUHSD or related middle schools. RSVP requested. Please email to have the flyer sent to you.
• Latinx/Indigenous People’s Festival Wednesday, Nov 9 from 5:30-7:30pm at Miramonte. This is open to all of AUHSD and you can learn more via their flyer. 

Have something to contribute or a question? Contact us

October is LGBTQ History Month, an annual, month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer history. The month, meant to highlight and celebrate the history and achievements of LGBTQ people, was founded in 1994 by Rodney Wilson, a social studies teacher in Missouri who wanted to address the failure of textbooks to address LGBTQ issues. October was chosen because it built on existing traditions such as National Coming Out Day (Oct 11) and the anniversaries of the first two LGBTQ marches in Washington in 1979 and 1987. Each year, a growing number of educators find ways to bring LGBTQ history into their curricula, opening up a dialogue that will hopefully lead to a deeper exploration of LGBTQ themes throughout the school year. If you are interested in learning more, here are resources that you might find useful:

• Timeline of events @ Glsen
• San Francisco LGBTQ history museum

Watch It: Our captivating zoom with Doris Anahi Munoz is available to watch here. Students will likely find her grind – from being a busy student leader taking APs, to double majoring, to forging a career through sheer determination – relatable, eye opening and inspiring. Doris concluded by telling students to say yes to themselves and their dreams, and the path will unfold.

Upcoming Events:

• AAPI Parent Affinity Group: Tuesday, Nov 1 at 7pm in Campo Library. Please RSVP
• Latinx/Indigenous People’s Festival: Wednesday, Nov 9, 5:30-7:30pm, Miramonte. Flyer here 

Have something to contribute or a question? Contact us

Proud to welcome our Latine Heritage Month Speaker! Singer, record executive & advocate Doris Anahi Munoz will join us in conversation on Wednesday, Oct 12 at 6:30. She is a powerful voice, writing her own story and lifting young people on their own journeys. Disney will be releasing her documentary, Mija, soon.
 
According to the New York Times, a music career is a risky bet. Our guest speaker, Doris Anahi Munoz, didn’t let that intimidate her. Leveraging her experience at Sony Music and Columbia Records, at 23 years old Munoz started her own management company with the distinct purpose of creating opportunities for emerging Latinx indie artists. In her personal life, Munoz, a first-generation Angelina, felt the weight of securing a life for her own family in the US. In response, Munoz formed an advocacy group that amplifies the voice of immigrant communities through the power of music, solidarity and the arts. 
 
Join us for this special evening when Doris will tell us in her own words about the pressures of success, how she ended up pursuing her own singing career and why she stays committed to diversifying the music industry and offering arts mentorship for BIPOC youth.  Sign up here. Event open to students, parents, teachers, staff and wider Acalanes community.
 
Read more about Doris in Rolling Stone and listen to her music. Have something to contribute or a question? Contact us. Co-sponsored by Acalanes Student Government and Acalanes Parents Club.

UNIDOS! During Latine Heritage Month, we take time to celebrate the histories, cultures and vast contributions of American citizens with Latinx backgrounds. The theme for 2022 is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation .” On that note, we encourage you to come out to the Latine Potluck on Thursday, Oct 6 organized by the student equity board (we will be at a community table) and tune in to musician and advocate Doris Anahi Munoz’s keynotezoom on Wednesday, Oct 12. Parent volunteers are still needed for both events and a few other projects. If you can give 1-2 hours on the front lines or behind the scenes, please let us know.
 
September was National Deaf Awareness month. Tru Biz, a popular novel, centers on deaf culture. The story highlights numerous ways in which the hearing community is desensitized to those with hearing loss. Check it out, the book offers a lot of food for thought. Also, the football “huddle” is widely believed to have originated from deaf athletes who used the circle formation to keep their signed play calls hidden from the opposing football team.
 
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Have something to contribute or a question? Contact us

Shanah Tovah! The Jewish High Holidays begin this weekend. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, starts today at sunset and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, Sept 27. Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement” and holiest day of the year in Judaism, starts on Tuesday, Oct 4 at sundown and ends at nightfall on Oct 5. After Yom Kippur, the festive holidays of Sukkot and Simchat Torah follow, concluding the fall holiday celebrations. Click here to learn more about the High Holidays.
 
As we continue to honor Latine Heritage month, we discovered more about its origins through the National Archives primary sources. Hispanic Heritage Week started in 1968 and was expanded to a 30-day period in 1988. U.S.. Representatives from California played key roles in drafting the legislation that became law.
 
Join us on Thursday, Oct 6 at 5pm to celebrate Latine Heritage Month with a live performance and food. Sign up to bring a dish to the Latine Potluck.
 
Last, thanks to Arshay Cooper for sharing his wisdom and positivity this past Monday night. We appreciate the hundreds of students and parents who showed up to listen and contribute to the conversation. Read about it in Blueprint. #donsshowup
 
Stay current: Add us to your Instagram at @acalanesdei
Have something to contribute or a question? Contact us

Book a Night Out with Your Student! Over the next several weeks, Acalanes is hosting a set of engaging evenings open to students and parents. We encourage you to join and to talk to your students about attending at least one community event with (or without) you. Drawing on a theme that keeps bubbling up from our speakers over the last 24 months, we build the community we want to live in with our actions. These upcoming activities are great opportunities to meet new people and make new connections.

• TOMORROW NIGHT, Monday Sept 19, Arshay Cooper will share how he chose hope despite many obstacles. Arshay doesn’t shy away from talking about uncertainty and difficult circumstances. But, he also talks about developing trust, making space for feelings, and naming the things that can hold us back so we can go forward. He shares powerful life lessons through his accessible and entertaining storytelling. Moderated by AUHSD students!
• On Thursday, Oct 6 at 5:30pm students are hosting a potluck in the quad and are inviting all parents to attend so let’s show up! Sign up to bring a dish & celebrate Latine Heritage Month in community.
• On Wednesday, Oct 12 at 6:30pm singer, recording executive and advocate DorisAnahi Munoz will be joining us to share her unique story. Disney recently picked up the rights to her movie, Mija which shares about her life, her music career and the pressure of success.

As a reminder, Sept 15 to Oct 15 is Latine Heritage Month! We honor the heritage, culture, and peoples of the Latine community. How are you celebrating? Let us know!
 
Stay current: Add us to your Instagram at @acalanesdei
Have something to contribute or a question? Contact us

AUHSD has the privilege of hosting Arshay Cooper on Monday, Sept 19.  Cooper’s memoir, “A Most Beautiful Thing”, describes growing up with the stresses of gang violence, drugs and poverty, but how an unexpected encounter with a rowing coach turned out to be a life changing experience. Mr. Cooper will dive into his life story, what it took to be part of the first all black high school rowing crew in a historically privileged white male sport and how he developed into the person he is today. The event will be student moderated.
 
Don’t just take our word for it, parent Dan Meade has this to say about Arshay’s appearance in 2020:

“I really enjoyed Arshay’s book and presentation to the Acalanes community. His experience growing up as a young man, and his perspective on overcoming adversity, were inspiring to students and parents alike. Arshay is a great communicator and a worthy role model!”

Also coming up are events and activities celebrating Latine Heritage month. Mark your calendars for a community potluck the evening of Thursday, Oct 6 and a special guest on Wednesday, Oct 12.
 
Please see the Student Activities section below for more details on all of these events.
 
Stay current: Add us to your Instagram at @acalanesdei
Questions, comments or thoughts to share? Contact us