WE CAN NO LONGER AVOID DISCUSSING TOPICS THAT MAKE US UNCOMFORTABLE.
Arlington Educators are dedicated to the continual renewing of our own personal SEL competencies including self-awareness, social-awareness and identity and relationship work necessary in creating antiracist learning spaces. To that end, we recognize many SEL programs and efforts in the past have continued to center white culture and marginalize other cultures, propagating oppression. We take up Dr. Ford's charge and welcome all partners in this crucial endeavor.
Equity and Racial Justice. Schools will reopen in the fall after experiencing school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic and months of heightened national discourse related to our country’s long history of institutional racism. In addition, the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on people of color will reverberate long after we return to school. As a result, we need to put racial equity and cultural responsiveness at the center of our work, including in our COVID-19 planning.
Collective Care. In the year ahead, it is vital that we take care of each other by fostering a sense of common purpose, building strong relationships, and reinforcing the social emotional skills we use to support each other and respond to challenges together. The concept of collective care is inclusive of self-care practices but goes further by asking us to show proactive compassion for one another - both on interpersonal and systemic levels.
-DESE Guidance on Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health
