Thank you for joining us for a special evening of sharing as we honor Black History Month, from the early childhood through the grades.

This is just the beginning.

Cedarwood is deep in the process of asking ourselves the all-important questions necessary and vital in our work toward formally establishing Black History Month as a celebration at our school, with BIPOC voices uplifted and centered. Our DEI Committee and faculty are also exploring how to bring Black history (old and new, both the struggles and the accomplishments) into our curriculum and activities year-round.

We are also grateful to everyone who participated in our visioning survey for future Black History Month celebrations.

How do you envision Cedarwood honoring Black History Month in the future?

I think it would be fun if grades 1-8 made a drawing/portrait of the same black actives. We could make a different person every year and hang them in the south space. I also love how my class learned about a new person every day.

Have guest speakers from the community.

I would love to see volunteer events to empower the Portland Black community. It was wonderful to learn about amazing Black Americans, I also believe it is important to recognize and honor black Oregonians, so it would be nice to see some of them presented as well. However, the forum of celebrating successful Black Americans is how Black History Month has always been done. I also believe it is important to present the truth about the lives of Black Americans. So I would love to see some recognition and discussion about racial disparities in education, health, wages etc and open some discussion around how can our community work to change these realities for the Black folks living in our communities. Because I believe that Black history is also about Black future. It would also be very impactful to have a Black Portlander or Oregonian as a key note speaker.

Continue to involve students in the program.

Thank you teachers and students for sharing what is taking place in early childhood, grades, and middle school for Black History Month. I appreciated learning how, throughout this month and beyond, teachers are incorporating the stories of Black lives into the curriculum through books, games, art, history lessons and biographies, student clubs and music. I especially appreciated the efforts to center Black joy and Black excellence. More of that for our students, especially our students of color. It would be great to look at the spaces within the school that have traditionally hosted artists (performance space and the gallery) and ensure that they are filled with the works of local BIPOC artists alongside the students' creative endeavors and artistic tributes to historical figures adorning the hallways. Please continue the work to partner with other organizations, especially youth-led organizations and activists that have so much to teach their peers. Several schools (including middle schools) have signed on to become No Place for Hate schools (a partnership with the Anti-defamation league) and train peer facilitators to teach other students how to be allies and anti-racist. Perhaps thatś something to look into for the middle grades.

Month long programming, with opportunities for community involvement throughout the month, culminating in an event to show the work that’s been done that month.

Art projects.

In ways everyone can engage in one aspect or another. in the curriculum. as a community in ways parents and family can join. building on it year to year.

Maybe in person next time! If we can. Maybe next time bring in a guest speaker that would be great.

Wednesday, February 24

6:00 pm

This evening’s sharing will begin with a special circle and story from our early childhood team!

A Zoom link for the event has been shared with the community by email, or can be found in the calendar event below.

Would you like to get involved with Cedarwood’s DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Committee, or be part of next year’s Black History Month Committee?

Please reach out to dei@cedarwoodschool.org!