Back-To-School Checklist

Fresh notebooks, pumpkin spice, and action opportunities for education champions! For students and grownups alike this time of year can be a great chance to reset and hit the ground running this fall. Prepare for a successful autumn with our back-to-school checklist!

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Get back into the swing of things with some back-to-school reading! Get some inspo from the Rose from Concrete team and their work supporting students in their community!

Break out the markers and paint and submit your student artwork to the Stand Student Voices- a platform for young people to share their creative work in response to the pressing education issues impacting students today!

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Find community with people across the country who care about access to public education for all students, and want to take action to make a difference.

Start your morning off right with some uplifting tunes!

Did we miss your favorite song on our playlist? Comment below the song that you listen to to pump you up for a big day!

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Peer into your future of advocacy with our monthly Stand*Oscope: Astrological guidance for education advocates.

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Stay up-to-date with ways you can get plugged into the work we are doing to support students, educators, and schools!

CARE is a set of tools to help educators see what antiracist teaching looks like, hone their own practice, and analyze classroom resources.

While most educators want to address race and racism in schools and classrooms, they lack the necessary tools and skills.

CARE’s mission is to advance antiracist curriculum and equip antiracist educations. These tools are created to advance antiracist curriculum and equip antiracist educators.

CARE Principles

CARE Principle Humanity
CARE Principles Historical Truths
CARE Principles Critical Consciousness
CARE Principles Race and Racism
CARE Principles Just Systems

Like so many before us, we look to a future where the promise of equality is upheld for everyone. We understand that keeping the promise means working together to overturn the long legacy of racism that has limited opportunity for many. We recognize we’re not yet there, and we believe, along with Nelson Mandela, “That education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” What and how children learn – in the curriculum and in how they are taught – can lead to that more equal and just future.

CARE Framework

The CARE Framework recognizes the need for a clear understanding of what it means to be an antiracist educator providing guidance and support for aspiring antiracist educators and leaders through professional learning.

Download your personal copy of the CARE Framework along with the complimentary resources.

CARE Principles

Like so many before us, we look to a future where the promise of equality is upheld for everyone. What and how children learn – in the curriculum and in how they are taught – can lead to that more equal and just future. That future depends on antiracist educators with access to high-quality materials who are committed to their own learning.

Affirm the dignity and humanity of all people.
Embrace
historical truths.
Develop a critical consciousness.
Recognize race and confront racism.
Create
just systems.

Apply the CARE Principles to Classroom Content

The materials teachers use with students — read-alouds, videos, textbooks, websites — don’t come with labels that indicate whether they’re antiracist. Figuring that out is the work of educators. It’s not easy to do, because it often means looking for what’s not included or learning to see the content from a different perspective.

CARE’s rubric and exemplars will help you learn to analyze content either alone or with peers in your PLC.

CARE Exemplars

CARE Exemplars were developed by a team of expert classrooms teachers who analyzed a range of student resources using the CARE Rubric. These Models can help educators apply the CARE Principles to the curriculum they were with students.

Your Standoscope: Gemini Season

We’re officially in Gemini season which means it’s time to recharge, get outside of your comfort zone, and embrace curiosity!  

This season also marks the end of the school year, so take time to reflect on the last few months – What were some highs? Did you experience any challenges? In what ways were you involved? Are there any opportunities you would be interested in pursuing in the next school year? Let us know in the comments below!

Find learning and action opportunities this Gemini Season that align with your sign to make a positive impact your community!


Aries ♈︎

Aries ruling planet, Mars, is currently in fiery Leo, inspiring a passionate and creative atmosphere. This is a great opportunity to get creative and share your story of why education matters to you!


Taurus ♉︎ 

Mars is in Leo making a square with Jupiter in Taurus, which may inspire you to make big changes. The moon is also joining Uranus in Taurus, which can push you to take a risk! Learn some tips from a Chicago mom and activist on how you can make big changes in your community.


Gemini ♊︎

Mars in Leo is highlighting the communication sector of your chart, a perfect time to join the conversation with other education advocates at our monthly State Intelligence Briefing Call


Cancer ♋︎

Mars in Leo is square with Jupiter in Taurus, which could push you to make great strides toward a collective goal! Team up with fellow education champions in our monthly State Intelligence Briefing Call to work towards our collective goal of equitable education for all!


Leo ♌︎

Mars is in Leo, increasing your courage! Be bold and use your voice to stand up for equity in classrooms!


Virgo ♍︎

Mars in Leo is forming a square with Jupiter in down-to-earth Taurus, which could find you having a big breakthrough. New opportunities may arise. Keep up-to-date with events and learning opportunities and find new ways to get involved with the fight for equitable education!


Libra ♎︎

Mars in Leo has formed a square with Jupiter in Taurus, which could propel you and others you’re working with to make great progress toward your goals. Our monthly State Intelligence Briefing Call is the perfect place to find a community of other educational champions to join you!


Scorpio ♏︎

Your ruling planet Mars is in Leo and is opposing Jupiter in Taurus, which open opportunities for you and a romantic or business partner to making big changes! Learn from a Chicago mom and activist how you can make big changes in your community!


Sagittarius ♐︎

Mars is in fiery Leo, which may inspire you to be adventurous! Keep up-to-date with events and learning opportunities and find new ways to get involved with the fight for equitable education!


Capricorn ♑︎

Mars in Leo is forming a squares with Jupiter in earthy Taurus, creating an air of both passion and productivity. Channel that passion and use your voice to stand up for equity in classrooms!


Aquarius  ♒︎

Mars in your opposite sign or polarity, Leo. Leo is forming a square with Jupiter in down-to-earth Taurus, pushing out blockages and making room for something new. Keep up-to-date with events and learning opportunities and find new ways to get involved with the fight for equitable education!


Pisces ♓︎

Mars in Leo is in opposition to Jupiter in Taurus, which may lead to you making some needed changes in your daily routine. Find new ways to get involved in your local schools!


Want to get monthly Standoscopes to your inbox with opportunities to learn more about educational issues, and ways to get involved? Sign up here to stay informed!

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SHARE YOUR STORY!

Oftentimes, students only learn about Black history in February. For the rest of the year, Black people are missing in textbooks and lesson plans. With ongoing attacks against African American studies in schools, this campaign aims to show why teaching Black history to students is vital to their understanding of the world.

Help us by sharing your experience learning about Black history in school. You can share your story by using our written story collection tool or record a quick video about your experiences using our video collection tool!

We encourage you all to utilize your networks and post your stories on social media, tagging us (@Stand4Children on Twitter) and using the hashtag #BlackHistoryYearRound. Share your story to help us amplify the importance of #BlackHistoryYearRound!