Reading to End Racism 2009

RER Readers Make Great Impact on Reducing Racism in Schools

This past year, Burlington elementary schools participated in a community initiative called Reading to End Racism. For the second straight year, all elementary schools held their school-wide events that involve readers from our local community to help 1632 kids address racism and discrimination in proactive ways. This community-school partnership creates an opportunity for students to listen to new literature, hear personal stories and join age-appropriate forums to explore and explain racism.

Classroom presentations were helped by 55 community volunteer “readers” who were solicited throughout the community, all of whom committed to undoing racism. These “readers” serve as powerful role models for students, and in the past have included police officers, elected officials, educators, artists, business professionals, parents and school board members. Entire schools were enlisted in one-day presentations involving all classes, with book readings, personal stories and discussions on ways students can help end racism. Results from Boulder Valley School District in Boulder, Colorado where thousands of students were offered Reading to End Racism show over 85% believed they had an increased understanding of racism after participating.

This project is a collaborative effort by the Burlington School District, The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and VARAT (The Vermont Anti-Racism Action Team).

For more information about this exciting initiative, or to sign up to be a volunteer reader for this coming year, please contact:

Denise Dunbar
Chittenden County Council coordinator
Denise.H.Dunbar@uvm.edu
802-578-2062

For more information on Reading to End Racism or to volunteer to be a reader, please contact Denise Dunbar at Denise.H.Dunbar@uvm.edu.

####