Inclusive Schools Week is here!
During December 5 -9th, students and schools are gearing up for Inclusive Schools Week across the state. Join us as SFUSD celebrates across several school sites. Since 2010, Inclusive Schools Week has been celebrated when San Francisco issued a Mayoral Proclamation on Inclusive Schools Week. This year, the theme is “Unity within our Community” and features an array of options for students to get involved. In 2013, the SFUSD Board of Education issued a resolution on Guiding Principles Regarding Inclusive Education Practices for the San Francisco Unified School District.
The purpose of this event is to celebrate the progress that schools have made in providing supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population that ranges from students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socioeconomic status, cultural heritage, and so on. The week of celebration provides educators, students, and parents with an opportunity to have an open dialogue about what needs to be done to ensure that schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children.
Julian Martin is the Special Education Ombudsperson, who is the family, community, and staff liaison for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
She spoke about the importance of this week and her own connection to this annual event, “As a parent of a kid with autism I think it is really important to destigmatize disabilities and build disabilities pride in our students and our community,” said Martin. “Inclusive Schools Week helps people think about things differently, changing hearts and minds,” she said. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”
There are going to be numerous events throughout the week that students and parents can participate in. The goal is to provide an opportunity for SFUSD educators and community members to consider how we design and implement practices into all aspects of our engagement.
“I want any parent, any staff member, any principal, to see themselves represented this week,” said Martin.
Recently a parent of a child with Spina Bifida shared with Martin how important it was for their child when they were given a Spanish language children’s book about the condition. Representation like this is so important and helps to educate and demystify. Education and awareness are powerful tools that can bridge differences and enable all students to find their unique voices. Although there has been a tremendous amount of work done, there is always more that needs to be done.
“This year we don’t have enough resources in different languages, so we know what we’ve got to work on for next year,” continued Martin.
How to Get Involved
Check in with your student, teachers, or school staff to see what activities are planned for Inclusive Schools Week at your child’s school.
If you are not a special education parent, offer to be an ally. Being a special education parent can be isolating experience. Knowing that there are others out there who are allies, willing to lend a hand is a good thing.
Think about students and families who might be marginalized at your school and consider ways in which they can be supported and more fully included in your community.
For more information about the week or simple things you can do, check out the SFUSD Special Education Website Inclusive Schools Week Page https://www.sfusd.edu/sped/inclusion-resources/celebrate-inclusive-schools-all-year-long#:~:text=Inclusive%20Schools%20Week%20is%20December%205%2D9%2C%202022.
SFUSD Inclusive Arts Showcase
This year's theme is “Unity within our Community” and is open to all students to share what they believe unity means. It can be related to their gender, disability, socioeconomic status, or other unique traits they would like to share.
Submit artwork here: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSehhXINbQNHAuETEwBvKjfgzP6im0cJkQhD1ENxhOMw-1g6_w/viewform
Keynote Event
Join us on Thursday, December 8th from 6-8 pm for a virtual special presentation about inclusion and the fight for disability rights in our city. San Francisco has a rich history of disability advocacy that includes the 1977 Section 504-sit in at the Federal Building and continues today. Participants of the 504 sit-ins as well as members of the disability community will be joining and sharing their stories and experiences.
Register for the Zoom Link: https://supportforfamilies.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bq_pHmsTScW-vqi_UkxD4w
SFUSD Physical Activity & Special Olympics Virtual School Assembly with Special Olympics Athlete Speaker hosted by Thurgood Marshall
Join the virtual event on December 9th from 9 am-10 am hosted by Thurgood Marshall with a testimonial from Phillip Gonzalez, who is a multi-sport Special Olympics athlete who competes in soccer, basketball, and track & field.
There will be a speech followed by a Q&A at the end. Fill out the form if you plan on participating in this event. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12py4q7IkYj3dq4dLe8KZ3m7SVZ4wHSm3XwAPTlEin-0/viewform?edit_requested=true