SEPTEMBERSeptember 22, 2011
Present: Linda Carter, Despina Kipelidis, Janet Tran, Erlinda Suarez, Andrea Drake, Arturo Gonzalez
Sherman Alexie
Native American poet and writer will be presenting at the Puyallup Library. He will be presenting on one of his books which is widely banned. Janet forwarded the information to building staff via email. His book is The Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian. What he is sharing about is censorship, intellectual freedom, and his own literature. Janet shared that he uses very colorful language and can say things for shock value; he will reference drugs, sex, violence. Janet will share this information at the staff meeting on 9/28 so that staff considering attending are not caught by surprise.
Grant Writing
Different committee members are currently searching for grant opportunities for our diversity emphasis this year. Due to budget constraints we may/will not have access to some of the funding from past years. Arturo will share at the staff meeting about a potential clearing for a gathering place between the Carson parking lot and Gem Heights Drive.
One of the current grants requires a diversity mission statement. Janet and Arturo will begin a mission statement that will be approved by the Diversity Committee for the specific grant. The diversity mission statement will then be presented to PACK Leadership for adoption, modifications, etc.
Current grants being looked at include BECU, Lowes, Walmart, and Kiwanis. We will also look at Red Canoe Credit Union.
Information regarding Walmart-Hunger Outreach Grant will be forwarded to Erynn.
District ODA Meeting
Information was received by committee members about cultural cues from the book Cultural Manners. Janet will look for information about interactions with native parents.
National Museum of the American Indian has a thread/website for teachers. It includes pictures of art and artifacts about Native Americans. Janet will share this information with staff. There is a membership fee involved but it is simply being presented to staff for those who are interested. The membership includes a quarterly magazine. Membership is tax deductible. The website is free.
The authors of the Berenstain Bears elementary age picture books are helping to preserve the Native American language by making cartoons in the Lakota language (one example) so children can hear the actual language by native speakers. Janet will pursue to see if public can access these cartoons.
Despina
Despina shared the importance of students learning about other cultures and music. The exposure can be to any kind of language and music. Despina also shared that there seems to be a continual repetition of the same type of art/craft activities; she encourages art that is really diverse. A suggestion was to incorporate one thing from each country- art is really a cultural focus and we should consider giving students a taste from different cultures. The emphasis is to help the students think about how diverse our world is and to learn to appreciate differences.
Despina also shared information about Tacoma’s 50th Greek Festival, Oct. 7, 8 and 9. There is a flyer by the mailboxes for staff to take if interested.
LIC Meetings
There was a conversation and agreement about rotating the presenters at the LIC meetings when sharing information about diversity, school and district initiatives, etc. Currently the following teams are slated to present information:
Despina & Janet Oct. 5th
Erlinda and Linda Oct. 12th
Jennifer & Andrea Staff meeting Oct. Staff meeting
Erynn and Arturo November
November is Native American Heritage Month
Teachers are encouraged to do something in their classrooms in recognition.
FYI-October is Hispanic and Italian Heritage Month)
