NOVEMBER

November 12, 2009

Present: Linda C., Jill B., Janet T., Jennifer T., Erlinda S., Miles E., Arturo G.
District Diversity Committee Information - Janet is Rep

1. Info to be posted on our website: contact information for the PSD Indian Education Program Office, Quick Facts About Indian Education @ PSD, Ethnic Minority Parent Community Council

2. The Indian Education Program through Christine Bloomfield also has information for Native American pow wows.

3. EMPCC Schedule: Minority Parent Council information will also be posted on the website. Reminder to staff to send out notice to parents for. This year the meetings will travel in terms of location rather than just at ESC and are held from 6:00-7:00 pm. Questions? Contact Denette Neville at PSD Office of Diversity Affairs (ODA).

4. Each month there is a different focus. November offers an opportunity to look at one Native Perspective on Thanksgiving. This article will be emailed out to teachers. Just a reminder that not everyone is coming from the same point of view. Western Expansion vs. Eastern Invasion.

5. The ODA has purchased a book titled Families that includes what may be considered non traditional family compositions. The information is being shared with distgrict leadership in case there are questions. A number of elementary libraries already have the book on the shelf, including Carson. This is a book that is slated to be incorporated into the read alouds. More information to follow.

Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly
January 15th, 9:00 AM

The music will focus on grades 1 and 2. Teachers are encouraged to visit with Jill regarding other activities during the assembly. We're all looking forward to it.

Carson Diversity Day

The Committee has determined that we will have a Diversity Celebration during the first week of June. We have talked about doing something like this the last two years but the end of the year has just caught us off guard in the spring. This year we think we are starting early enough :) The format is still to be determined. We are seeing this as an opportunity to represent our families' cultures and also give staff an opportunity to share. Please let Miles or Arturo know if you are interested in helping with the planning of this to be fun event.

Fundraisers

1. This year we will limit non-profit fundraisers to 2. This will include the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We have a volunteer, Mayra, who would like to organize an additional activity for this fundraising effort. The event is in March. More details to follow.

2. We have two food drives scheduled for this year. Mrs. Debbie Isom will again be coordinating this event.

Concerns/Suggestion Box: No items have been submitted

Why the penguin above? One of our committee members shared that the cutest animal is the penguin. What do you think?