2023-24 Equity Community Workshop Series

BSD’s Announces 4th Annual Community Equity Workshop Series!

BSD’s Office of Equity is pleased to sponsor a 4th year of annual equity workshops for SY23-24 that are free and open to the public! This series tackles contemporary and challenging topics that affect our youth, our school systems, and the greater community. The workshops are a place to learn and to engage in cross-generational dialogue around issues that matter. Educators, students, support staff, community members, and families are all welcome!

DISABILITY ADVOCACY EQUITY WORKSHOPS

This year’s disability workshops will be a hybrid offering of either in person or online & will center around the theme of disability advocacy. Featuring a series of special guest speakers the Office of Equity partnered with Student Support Services to co-facilitate these workshops.

Neurodivergence; Celebrating Unique Minds – Wednesday, March 20, 6-7 pm  Instead of focusing on problems and deficits, this workshop will focus on neurodivergence as a strength.  We will review terms and definitions and share tools for educators and families to support students.  Facilitated by Charlotte Ide, HMS Special Educator and Eva Edwards-Stoll, BSD Alumni and Disability Advocate   

Ableism in Schools – Thursday, February 8, 6-7:00 pm 

What is ableism and how does it show up in schools and in our community?  We will review how discrimination against people with disabilities shows up with a lack of accommodations, deficit mindsets, harassment and more and discuss how combating ableism benefits all.

Disability Rights and Advocacy – Wed, January 10th, 6-7:00 pm This workshop will focus on a basic review of federal laws (IDEA, 504 and ADA) that protect the rights of students with disabilities in schools. The workshop will culminate in a reflective circle discussion about BSD’s challenges and successes in our approaches to Special Education and Disability Rights. Click here to view content.

Dismantling White Supremacy Culture in Schools – Wednesday November 15 6-7 pm This virtual equity workshop will focus on learning about the characteristics of White Supremacy Culture and examining how they show up in ourselves, in our schools, and in our communities. We will hear from student panelists from the Racial Justice Academy and learn more about youth activism at BSD and how students are working towards antidotes and solutions. Click here to view content.

HHB Interventions and Prevention – Thursday, October 12, 6-7:30 pm   

This workshop will review the definitions of Hazing, Harassment, and Bullying (HHB) and discuss BSD’s commitment and legal obligations to ensure the safety of all students. We will discuss preventative work to create a culture of kindness and respect in our schools, how to report HHB incidents, and what happens when an HHB investigation takes place. The workshop will culminate in a panel discussion with BSD youth leaders. Click here to view content.

Restorative Code of Conduct –Wednesday, September 27, 6-7:30 pm 

Join us for a workshop that will provide an overview of BSD’s new Restorative Code of Conduct. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about the Code, understand how it is being implemented in our schools, and reflect in a circle process about their own experiences with discipline and hopes for a restorative BSD community.  Click here to view content.

Past Years Workshops and Recordings

SY 22-23 Community Equity Workshops

LGBTQIA+ WORKSHOP #1 – “Words Matter” Wed, January 18, 2023 Click here to see the media coverage.

What is heteronormativity? What does it mean to be gender fluid? What are the most appropriate word choices when talking about LGBTQ+ topics? One of the key challenges in understanding LGBTQIA+ is deciphering changes in word choice and language over time. In this participatory workshop, participants will examine words, phrases, terminology and definitions to educate ourselves on the most current word usage and to discuss how to use inclusive language.

LGBTQIA+ WORSHOP #2 – “LGBTQIA+ in Schools” Wed, February 15th, 2023

How can schools do more than just provide safety for LGBTQIA+ students and staff? This workshop will discuss the recommendations from the BSD LGBTQ+ Task Force and how they pertain to curriculum. We will examine age appropriate lesson plans and discuss tools that educators and family members can use to lead effective discussions on LGBTQIA+ topics. We will also discuss the concept of “Mirrors and Windows” through examining representation in children’s literature, GSAs and best practices for advocacy and allyship.

LGBTQIA+ Workshop #3 – “Let’s Talk about Gender and Pronouns” Wed, March 8th, 2023

In this youth-led workshop, participants will understand, apply and gain comfort around gender identity. Guided by EMS YPAR students and alumni, we will explore the use of pronouns, neopronouns, and mixed pronouns, and discuss sexuality and how it is different than gender.

We as a community have the responsibility to respond to the recent uptick in gun-related violence in our community and school shootings nationwide. Safety is a top priority in our schools.  This virtual workshop will review BSD safety plans, the components of Run, Hide, Fight drills and emergency crisis response procedures.  In partnership with the Howard Center, we will share resources and strategies for caregivers to talk about gun violence with kids. We will end the session with a healing restorative circle to process our own feelings in a safe and supportive virtual environment.  

This workshop will discuss how the Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the mental health of students and staff.  Join us with community partners from Spectrum and the Howard Center for this informational session to discuss how schools are addressing current and pressing mental health needs and to discuss availability of services.  This workshop will culminate in a restorative circle about decreasing stigma around mental health.  

Scroll down to learn more about previous years virtual workshops offered.

2021-22 BSD Equity Community Workshops “Let’s Talk” Series

Let’s Talk about Disability Advocacy

What is an IEP and a 504 plan and how do these protect students? Why is it important to focus on disability rights in schools? What are the struggles that people with disabilities have gone through in history and still persist today? Facilitated by BSD Office of Equity with BSD students and alumni panelists.

Let’s Talk about Whiteness – Why is it important to discuss “whiteness” in anti-racism work? What is white privilege, white fragility, and white supremacy organizational culture, and how do these show up in schools? Why is it important for white people to do the work to dismantle these systems and eradicate racism? Facilitated by BSD’s Equity Instructional Leader Autumn Bangoura, and BSD’s Youth and Family Restorative Liaison Virginia Litchfield alongside youth panelists. 

Gender Identity and Expression – What is the gender spectrum and how can we support transgender and non-binary youth in our schools and our community? What is the difference between Gender Identity and Gender Expression? Facilitated by BSD staff who will be joined by student panelists.

Let’s Talk about Student and Family Rights What rights do students and families have? What are the protected identity categories under Harassment? What responsibilities do schools have to respond to bullying incidents? What can you do if you or your child is being bullied? How do schools hold people accountable? Facilitated by BSD’s Director of Equity, Sparks, and BSD’s HHB Coordinator Jay Lawson along with a group of student panelists. 

Let’s Talk about Restorative Practices from Thursday, October 21, 2021 6-7 pm – What is happening with implementation of Restorative Practices (RP) in BSD? How do students and staff engage in circles throughout their school experiences? How does RP serve as a tool for equity? Participate in a virtual Restorative Circle facilitated by BSD students. Facilitated by BSD’s RP Coordinator Mika Moore and BSD student facilitators.  

Let’s Talk about Anti-Racism

Wednesday, November 17, 2021 6:00-7:30 pm 

How are students and teachers learning about race and racism in BSD? What does examining systemic racism look like in K-12 schooling? What is Critical Race Theory and why is there so much controversy surrounding it? Facilitated by UVM Doctoral Candidate Eliaquin Gonell alongside guest student facilitators from the Summer Racial Justice Academy and YPAR.

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BSD 2020-21 Equity Webinar Series –
Click here to view details about the 2020-21 Equity Webinar Series

December 17, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
An Introduction to Restorative Practices What are Restorative Practices? How are Restorative Practices being used at BSD? Participants practiced a virtual Restorative circle led by BSD student circle facilitators. Watch the webinar below.

February 3, 2021 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Racialized Trauma Explore the Intersectionality of Racism and Mental Health and participate in a conversation with a multigenerational panel from the BSD community.  Cosponsored by the Howard Center. Facilitated by Courtney Casper and Zachary Key. https://www.wcax.com/2021/02/03/burlington-school-district-to-host-racial-trauma-webinar/

https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/local-news/racism-in-the-classroom-burlington-equity-leaders-host-monthly-talks-about-how-to-make-real-change/

Combating Ableism – April 8, 2021 6-7 pm What is ableism and how does it show up in schools? 

A moderated conversation about disability advocacy facilitated by BSD Student Alumni Zaley Deleonardis-Page and Eva Edwards-Stoll followed by Restorative Circle discussions in breakout rooms.  

AAPI Affinity Spaces May 7, 2021 5:00-6:00 PM This virtual event is hosted by the BSD Office of Equity and is open to all Asian, Asian-American, Pacific Islanders and non-Asian parents of Asian children in the greater Burlington community.  Come learn about what BSD is doing to address Anti-Asian racism and participate in breakout rooms to share your concerns and make recommendations to the school district.  Vietnamese, Karen, Burmese and Nepali translation is available. 

Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth May 12, 6:00 – 7:00 pm Come learn more about how to support LGBTQ+ youth in schools and at home in partnership with Mara Iverson from Outright VT and a BSD multigenerational panel.