RESOURCES
for SPF community members

This page is in response to questions and information requests we often receive. It will be updated as needed.

About R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF
SPF School District Info
- District website, team, staff directory
- PTA info
- Board of Education info
- Student Code of Conduct
- District Policies on Equity
- District Policies on Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (H.I.B.), Hate Crimes, Bias-Related Acts, Treatment of Transgender Students, Sexual Harassment, and How to Report/Escalate Incidents
- COVID-19 Protocols and Resources
- Email blasts/how to subscribe to them
- Individual school contact info
- Before and after care info: Right at School
Job Opportunities in the SPF School District
Local and Virtual Library Information
Reading Lists
- Book lists for the whole family
- US History (and present) books for adults
Help Provide More Diverse Books to Our Schools
- SPF Elementary School Book Wish List
- Nettingham Middle School Book Wish List

Books in the Curriculum
- Resources for selecting books
- SPF Summer Reading Hub 2022: Elementary, Middle & High School
- The benefits of reading diverse books

FAQs About Bias and Inclusion Training
- SPF District's Equity objectives
- What is bias and inclusion training / why is it needed
- Why is there bias and inclusion training in the SPF district
- About the organization doing the bias and inclusion training
- Q&A from the Parent Session at SPFHS (10/6/21)
FAQs About Critical Race Theory (CRT)
- What it is / what it is not
- District letter confirming that SPF is not teaching CRT in schools
- State of NJ Department of Education Learning Standards info
- Description of Amistad Law, Holocaust Law, LGBT and Disabilities Law in NJ
- Antiracism vs CRT
Calendar

* * * * * * * * *

ABOUT R.E.A.L. PARENTS X SPF

We are a collective of parents, neighbors, alumni and allies united to bring more Representation, Equity, Anti-Racism and Literary diversity into every corner of our Scotch Plains-Fanwood schools' lessons, libraries and leaders.

We work alongside our incredible teachers, administration and officials to bring courageous and culturally responsive change to our classrooms. Together, we are all here to raise the next generation of helpers.

The need for change is as R.E.A.L. as our pledge to make it happen, together.

Learn more about who we are and what our goals are or a little about our backstory, sign up for our newsletter, and sign up to join our group HERE.
Join our Facebook group or follow our Facebook Page.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

Go to Table of Contents.

* * * * * * * * *

SPF SCHOOL DISTRICT INFO

District Website

District Administration Team

School District Staff Directory

PTA Council Board Members and Links to All SPF School PTAs

Follow the District on Facebook and Twitter.

Keep informed about what is happening in our community:

SPF Board of Education Information:
Board of Education Website
2022-2023 BOE Meeting Dates (Plus Agendas, Minutes, Videos)
2021-2022 BOE Meeting Dates (Plus Agendas, Minutes, Videos)
One can also view and print the agendas via Board Docs, as of January 2023.
BOE YouTube Channel
How to Become a BOE Member

General FAQs about the BOE Meeting experience:

Why can't the Board have a back-and-forth dialogue with attendees during the Public Comments portion of the meeting?

Per the New Jersey School Board Association, BOE meetings are for Board members and Superintendents to meet with each other to take care of business as described on a set and publicly-published agenda, held publicly so anyone who wants to witness the meeting can do so.

All public comments are limited to three minutes each. Any that require/request response will receive it at some point after the meeting by the appropriate member of the Board (which is why each speaker's name/town are given).

The format was set at the state level to not be a dialogue forum or back-and-forth Q&A, and the local BOE cannot change that. Those types of conversations take place at other times/events.

See policies regarding public comments during BOE meetings here.

How can families know what is going on in the district?

Here is a list of ways to stay in the loop.

For the most thorough information, Board of Ed meetings tend to be the best bet.

There are usually 1-2 BOE meetings every month, approximately 19 per school year. See the 2022-2023 schedule here.

Two days before each meeting, the detailed Agenda is published on the district home page (see: Spiffy Spotlight) and on the meeting page.

As of February 2023, all BOE meetings will be live-streamed on the district's YouTube Channel. These and all previous meeting videos live on that channel. The signed minutes of the meetings are posted on the meeting page after they are approved at later meeting.

What else would be helpful to know?

"Coffee and Conversation" events during which families can meet face-to-face with the Superintendent and members of the BOE happen 2-3x per school calendar, and usually occur after information is shared that the community likely has questions about.

If you see one announced, it's a good cue to take a look at recent BOE Meetings and eblasts from the district.

For example:

11/30/22 Coffee & Conversation
Recent hot topic:
- 11/17/22 BOE Mtg (Agenda, Minutes, Video) announcing the before/after care service bid process was officially beginning.
- The most recent BOE election results were finalized.

5/13/22 Coffee & Conversation
Recent hot topic:
- Dr. McGarry (Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction) shared a letter about the Health and Physical Education curriculum, including Sexual and Social Health.

3/3/22 Coffee & Conversation
Recent hot topics:
- 2/24/22 BOE Mtg (Agenda, Minutes, Video) reviewed the finalized 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.

That being said, anyone can reach out to the Superintendents and/or BOE at any time to discuss questions or concerns.

Related reading:

New Jersey School Boards Association's FAQs about the roles, rules, limits and legal requirements of Board of Education members
New Jersey School Boards Association video series and additional resources on the role of Board Members, including "13 Things School Board Members Wish People Knew About Them"
SPF Board of Ed District Policy on Public Participation in Board Meetings
SPF Board of Ed District Policy on Board Member Use of Social Media

New Jersey Student Learning Standards

2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health & Physical Education (full website) via NJ Dept. of Education
2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health & Physical Education (printable) via NJ Dept. of Education
Core Ideas - NJ Student Learning Standards for Health (Shared in district June 2022)

SPF School District 2022-2025 Strategic Plan

SPF 2022-2023 School Year Calendar

SPF 2023-2024 School Year Calendar

Student Code of Conduct

District Policy 5750: Equal Educational Opportunity

"Affirmative action shall be taken to ensure that students are protected from the effects of discrimination"
"The conduct of teaching staff members shall exemplify the highest principles of equality and democracy. Conduct and attitudes that display discrimination are contrary to the policies of this Board and, further, are destructive to the self esteem that this Board wishes to encourage in all students."

District Policy 5755: Equity in Educational Programs and Services

"It is the policy of the Board of Education to ensure equal and bias-free access to all school facilities, courses, programs, activities, and services, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectational or sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, or disability."

District Policy 5512: Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (H.I.B.)

For Reporting Procedure, see Section E

District Policy 8465: Hate Crimes & Bias-Related Acts

"A “hate crime” is any criminal offense where the person or persons committing the offense acted with a purpose to intimidate an individual or group of individuals because of race, color, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity."
"A “bias-related act” is an act directed at a person, group of persons, private property, or public property that is motivated in whole or part by racial, gender, disability, religion or sexual orientation, or ethnic prejudice. A bias-related act need not involve conduct that constitutes a criminal offense. All hate crimes are also bias-related acts, but not all bias-related acts will constitute a hate crime."
"Required Actions | Whenever any school employee in the course of his/her employment develops reason to believe that (1) a hate crime has been committed or is about to be committed...the school employee shall immediately notify the Building Principal and Superintendent"

District Policy 5756: Transgender Students

"The Board developed and adopted this Policy to ensure that its schools provide a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from discrimination and harassment for transgender students, including students going through a gender transition. Gender-based policies, rules, and practices can have the effect of marginalizing, stigmatizing, and excluding students, whether they are gender nonconforming or not."
"The school district must comply with N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15 and N.J.A.C. 6A:16 7.7, which prohibit harassment, intimidation, and bullying...If harassment, intimidation, or bullying based on gender identity creates a hostile environment, the school must take prompt and effective steps to end the harassment, intimidation, or bullying, prevent its recurrence, and, as appropriate, remedy its effects."
"The Superintendent or designee should ensure training is provided to school staff members on sensitivity and respect towards transgender students."

District Policy 5751: Sexual Harassment

"The Board of Education will not tolerate sexual harassment of students by school employees, other students, or third parties. Sexual harassment of students is a form of prohibited sex discrimination...In addition, reports of sexual harassment shall also be investigated in accordance with the requirements of New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act and Policy 5512."

District Policy 8461: Reporting Violence, Vandalism, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, Alcohol, and Other Drug Offenses

"A report alleging an incident of harassment, intimidation, or bullying shall be made in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:37-13.1 and Policy 5512. The Building Principal, for each incident of violence; including harassment, intimidation, and bullying, vandalism...shall review the incident report for accuracy; forward a copy of the incident report to the Superintendent; and notify the Superintendent of the action taken regarding the incident."

COVID-19 Protocols and Resources:

Be sure to visit the district website and their email blasts for any changes to their protocols. Information here will be updated regularly.

SPF School District daily home health screening checklist. These symptoms determine whether a student should be kept home from school.
Scotch Plains – Fanwood Public Schools- Protocol for Student Illness/Exposure (Updated 3/4/22)
All families are required to report COVID positive cases or close contact to a COVID positive individual using the Student COVID Reporting Form specific to their student's school:
- SPFHS
- Nettingham
- Terrill
- Brunner
- Coles
- Evergreen
- McGinn
- School One

If your student has received their COVID-19 vaccination and/or booster shot, the updated vaccination card can be added to their records by emailing a photo copy to their school nurses (listed below). This information assists the nursing team with contact tracing and quarantine protocol decisions.
Testing, Vaccines, Boosters
- All NJ residents can get a free at-home PCR test.using this link
- All US families can order 4 free at-home tests (free shipping) starting 1/19/22 from this federal website.
- All US families can receive up to 8 at-home rapid tests a month for free as of 1/15/22. Learn more here, or use the new program for 8 free tests a month per household via CVS | Walgreens | RiteAid and other pharmacies.
- The FDA's list of authorized SARS-CoV-2 antigen diagnostic tests (at-home rapid tests)
- Follow the SPF School District on Facebook, Twitter and via email blast for updates on any future free testing for students, staff and families in the district.
- Visit NJ's Official COVID-19 Information Hub for info on free vaccinations/boosters, and free testing locations.
Masks
- How to get free N95 masks from the federal government, starting 1/28/22.
- CDC: NIOSH-approved N95 respirators listed by manufacturer from A-Z
- Mask guidance for the whole family, including the whole range of mask options and links to data, by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD— an epidemiologist, biostatistician, professor and researcher
- Does My Mask Protect Me Against Covid-19 If Others Don't Wear One? on The New York Times
Further reading:
- "COVID-19 data shows that Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian and Alaska Native persons in the United States experience higher rates of COVID-19-related hospitalization and death compared with non-Hispanic White populations. These disparities persist even when accounting for other demographic and socioeconomic factors."
  - From Health Equity Considerations & Racial & Ethnic Minority Groups via the CDC website (2022)
- "The COVID-19 crisis is hurting all our communities, but not equally. The data that would allow us to document the pandemic’s uneven toll rigorously are incomplete and only now emerging - and it’s already clear that communities of color, including children, once again are on the frontlines of vulnerability."
  - From The racial impacts of COVID-19: Articles on Embrace Race
- "The [NJ] Department of Health...found the rate of infection among Black residents exceeded that of white residents, 4,181 per 100,000 compared with 3,332. African Americans were more than twice as likely as whites to be hospitalized from COVID-19 (810 per 100,000 versus 303) or to die from the disease (267 per 100,000 versus 120). Earlier this month, death data for 2020 showed COVID-19 was the number one killer of Blacks in New Jersey, with one of five African American deaths attributed to the disease and related conditions."
  - From The telling numbers: How COVID-19 has hit Black residents in NJ via NJ Spotlight News (2021)
- "Immunocompromised individuals are more likely to have serious COVID-19 illness and a higher mortality rate than the average population...[but] what does it actually mean to be immunocompromised?"
  - From What Does It Mean To Be ‘Immunocompromised’? via Yale Medicine

Backpack Flyers: Sign up for your school’s emails

Schools

SPFHS
Dr. David L. Heisey, Principal
Mr. Timothy Donahue, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Brooke Esposito, Assistant Principal
Mr. Ryan Miller, Assistant Principal
Website | Twitter
Facebook Group: SPFHS Families Connect
Nurse(s) Info Page
Counseling Info Page
2022 SPF Summer Reading Hub: SPFHS
2022-2023 School Supply Guide
2022-2023 School Calendar
School Schedule (Start/End)
Bell Schedule: Full Day, Delayed Schedule, Single Session
667 Westfield Road Scotch Plains, New Jersey 07076
(908) 889-8600

Nettingham Middle School
Dr. Jocelyn Dumaresq, Principal
Ms. Sara Durand, Assistant Principal
Website | Twitter
Facebook Group: Malcolm E. Nettingham Middle School Parents - Scotch Plains NJ
Nurse(s) Info Page
Counseling Info Page
2022 SPF Summer Reading Hub: Middle School
2022-2023 School Supply List is on the Home Page
2022-2023 School Calendar
School Schedule (Start/End)
580 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 322 - 4445

Terrill Middle School
Dr. Kevin Holloway, Principal
Mr. Ralph Gerace, Assistant Principal
Website
Facebook Group: Terrill Middle School Families
Nurse(s) Info Page
Counseling Info Page
2022 SPF Summer Reading Hub: Middle School
2022-2023 School Supply List
2022-2023 School Calendar
School Schedule (Start/End)
1301 Terrill Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 322-5215

Brunner Elementary School
Scott Bortnick, Principal
Website
Facebook Group: Brunner Families
Nurse(s) Info Page
Counseling / Student Assistant Specialist Page
2022 SPF Summer Reading Hub: Elementary
2022-2023 School Supply List
2022-2023 School Calendar
School Schedule (Start/End)
721 Westfield Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 889-2148

Coles Elementary School
Karen Wetherell, Ed. D., Principal
Website
Facebook Group: Coles Families
Nurse(s) Info Page
Counseling / Student Assistant Specialist Page
2022 SPF Summer Reading Hub: Elementary
2022-2023 School Supply List
2022-2023 School Calendar
School Schedule (Start/End)
16 Kevin Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 757-7555

Evergreen Elementary School
Colleen Haubert, Principal
Website | Twitter
Facebook Group: Evergreen Elementary, Scotch Plains, NJ School: Parents/Guardians
Nurse(s) Info Page
Counseling / Student Assistant Specialist Page
2022 SPF Summer Reading Hub: Elementary
2022-2023 School Supply List
2022-2023 School Calendar
School Schedule (Start/End)
2280 Evergreen Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 889-5331

McGinn Elementary School
Dr. Sasha Slocum, Principal
Website | Twitter
Facebook Group: McGinn Families
Nurse(s) Info Page
Counseling / Student Assistant Specialist Page
2022 SPF Summer Reading Hub: Elementary
Be a Super Reader! McGinn Summer Challenge
2022-2023 School Supply List
2022-2023 School Calendar
School Schedule (Start/End)
1100 Roosevelt Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 233-7950

School One Elementary School
Mr. Justin Fiory, Principal
Website | Twitter
Facebook Group: School One Parents
Nurse(s) Info Page
Counseling / Student Assistant Specialist Page
2022 SPF Summer Reading Hub: Elementary
2022-2023 School Supply List
2022-2023 School Calendar
School Schedule (Start/End)
563 Willow Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 322-7731

Before and After Care: Right at School

Registration links for each SPF school
Link to view the 1/24/23 SPF/Right at School information session Zoom
District letter on 1/20/23 announcing the partnership with Right at School

Go to Table of Contents.

* * * * * * * * *

JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SPF SCHOOL DISTRICT

We want all our students to see themselves reflected in their teachers, administration and support staff. Let's help make better representation happen by applying for positions currently available in our school district, or sharing these job postings with the incredible, talented, hard-working people we know who would be a perfect fit.

Elementary school
Middle school
High school
Administration
Athletics & activities
Media center & support services

Other positions are available as well. Listings are subject to change, so search the main Employment Opportunities link to view the most up-to-date information.

Go to Table of Contents.

* * * * * * * * *

LOCAL & VIRTUAL LIBRARY INFORMATION

The SPF community has two libraries we are able to visit in-person, but there's also the option to search and take out books (and more) online, via free library apps. Here's what you need to know to open your family's library experience up even wider.

SCOTCH PLAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY
1927 Bartle Ave, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
908 322-5007
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Need a library card for yourself or family member(s)? Get it here.
Want to reserve or renew a book (or other items) from your computer? Do it here.
Don't see the book you want on the shelf? Ask for an interlibrary loan from one of the 41 libraries connected with the SPF libraries in the Middlesex Union Reciprocal Associated Libraries group ("MURAL" for short) here.
Looking for personalized recommendations? Submit the request here.
Know of a book that you think our library should carry? Submit the request here.
Looking for Antiracism Resources? "In support of our mission to welcome and support our entire community with resources and services that enhance lifelong learning, we highlight these resources for learning about racism and systemic inequality." See those resources here.
Interested in bookish events for the whole family? Check the Events calendar for storytimes, activities, author visits, book clubs, and more here.

FANWOOD MEMORIAL LIBRARY
230 North Ave, Fanwood
(temporary location at the Fanwood Museum at the train station while the new building is under construction)
(908) 322-6400
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Need a library card for yourself or family member(s)? Get it here.
Want to reserve or renew a book (or other items) from your computer? Do it here.
Don't see the book you want on the shelf? Ask for an interlibrary loan from one of the 41 libraries connected with the SPF libraries in the Middlesex Union Reciprocal Associated Libraries group ("MURAL" for short) here.
Looking for personalized recommendations? Submit the request here.
Know of a book that you think our library should carry? Submit the request here.
Interested in bookish events for the whole family? Check the Events calendar for storytimes, activities, author visits, book clubs, and more here.

LIBBY BY OVERDRIVE ONLINE LIBRARY

If you have a Scotch Plains or Fanwood library card and a device for apps (phone, tablet), you can use the Libby by Overdrive app to access ebooks and audiobooks from the SPF libraries.

Simply download the app and plug in your card info to connect your library with the app. Get the Libby (by Overdrive) app here.

Go to Table of Contents.

* * * * * * * * *

READING LISTS

R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF book lists for the whole family!

These lists include two options each for the reading levels of Adult, Teen, Ages 8-12 and Ages 8 and Under. They are curated to deliberately include a variety of intersectionalities among the authors, illustrators and characters within each theme.

US History (and Present) Books for Adults:

Because understanding where we are can help guide us to where we need to go (and how to get there), this list is for those of us who want to do some legwork on our own to learn a fuller, more accurate history of the United States, its people, and its laws.

It also includes contemporary insight into where we are now, and how to help improve equity.

If reading history/non-fiction books isn't your favorite way to pass the time, listening to them on audiobooks as you do other things (drive, walk the dog, do laundry, wash dishes, etc.) may be a better way for you to soak in the information.

Expect this list of non-fiction books to grow and change over time, just like we do.

Go to Table of Contents.

Share the book lists on Facebook

Share the book lists on Twitter

* * * * * * * * *

HELP PROVIDE MORE DIVERSE BOOKS TO OUR SCHOOLS

Here’s a way you can quickly and easily help us achieve our literary diversity goals for the community's elementary schools.

Shop the Wish List by clicking the image below.

Gifting from this Wish List gets the same diverse collection of books into all of our elementary schools immediately, helping equalize the representation students see in their classrooms and libraries in the 2021-2022 school year.

The SPF School District not only supports this project, they have committed to matching our donation goal by supplying another collection of titles of the same size and scope to all in-district elementary schools right away.

FAQs

To purchase your gift, simply click the Wish List link, add books to your cart, and choose to ship to "R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF, Gift Registry Address SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ" during checkout.
R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF will personally distribute all donations to the schools.
Yes, you can share this list publicly with anyone, anywhere who has the interest and means to support this kind of project.
Yes, we have plans to roll out similar initiatives for the middle schools and high school, so watch this space for updates.

Update:

See the first delivery post here.
See Mr. Lohn, the McGinn School Librarian, talk about receiving the books for his school before his first read-aloud video with one of the new additions.

The Nettingham Middle School Book Wish List

Looking for a way to participate in the Malcolm E. Nettingham Middle School celebrations this November, while getting more diverse books into our schools?

Shop the Wish List by clicking the image below before the November 11th renaming ceremony:

Gifting from this wish list gets books about the late, great Mr. Nettingham's experiences and history into the hands of students in every school in the district. Nettingham Middle School leaders have partnered with REAL Parents x SPF to coordinate this initiative with the goal of fulfilling the wish list before the November 11th renaming ceremony.

This Veteran's Day, Park Middle School will officially become Malcolm E. Nettingham Middle School during a renaming ceremony in honor of the late Mr. Nettingham, a longtime Scotch Plains resident, "Park" graduate (SPHS at the time) and Congressional Gold Medal recipient. In celebration of his life and contributions to this nation, SPF schools will be learning more about this deeply respected Tuskegee Airman in various ways--and you can be a part of this.

FAQs

To purchase your gift, simply click the Wish List link, add books to your cart, and choose to ship to "R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF, Gift Registry Address SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ" during checkout.
R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF will present the gifted books from the community to Nettingham Middle School during the November 11th renaming ceremony
Yes, you can share this list publicly with anyone, anywhere who has the interest and means to support this kind of project (like grandparents and neighbors).

Thank you for your generosity!

Go to Table of Contents.

* * * * * * * * *

BOOKS IN THE CURRICULUM

"It is productive for kids to explore some of the things that happen in the world in a very controlled and safe environment."

- Dr. Mast, Superintendent, SPF School District

This is why the the Language Arts Department and Supervisor team up to carefully review and select each book used in the curriculum with a specific instructional purpose in mind.

Some of the professional review resources available for educators to use for this research include those by School Library Journal, School Library Connection, The Horn Book, Follett School Solutions, Publishers Weekly and the like.

Read the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts (NJSLS-ELA) here.

In our school district, when parents/guardians are concerned about a theme, topic and/or content of a specific book that has been assigned, the first step is:

Talk to the teacher directly with your specific concerns regarding your child reading it, and to ask what the "instructional purpose" of the book is. Their contact information is available via the PowerSchool app and on the school website's directory.

When parents/guardians are working with their child to pick a book from a list of options from a teacher (or grade-specific summer reading list) and want resources to help with the decision:

If possible, reach out to their teacher for advice on which may be the best fit, since they know both the books and your child.
If you don't have access to the professional review sites listed above, compare the information in a few user-based book review sites like Common Sense Media or Goodreads for theme, topic, representation and other details about the book, and Amazon to see the publisher's target age range for the book.
We Need Diverse Books has a lot of reviews and interviews with the author(s)/illustrators, giving more personal insight to the story behind the pages, plus other related resources.
This guide can teach you how to spot sexism and racism in books you want to share with children (and for yourself). This is doubly helpful because, "if a child can be shown how to detect racism and sexism in a book, the child can proceed to transfer the perception to wider areas."

Visit the 2022 SPF Summer Reading Hub here.

Elementary School
Middle School
High School

Better understand why student exposure to books with a wide representation of voices, experiences and scenarios benefits them, and how the banning of books that include particular voices, themes or scenarios is detrimental to students of all ages by visiting the links below:

"Banned in the USA: Rising School Book Bans Threaten Free Expression and Students' First Amendment Rights" | PEN America

"Why We Need Diverse Books" | National Education Association

"Teachers Push for Books With More Diversity, Fewer Stereotypes" | Education Week
"Not OK? That’s OK. Middle Grade Authors Provide Compassionate Portrayals of Mental Health" | School Library Journal
"10 Books About Autism Featuring Black Autistic Characters" | The Kisha Project
"Making Elementary School Classrooms LGBTQ-Inclusive" | American Federation of Teachers

"LGBT Literate in the Classroom" | Association for Middle Level Education

"5 Reasons Why You Should Read a Diverse Book for Your Next Community Read" | We Need Diverse Books

"Why We Need Diverse Books" | Anti-Defamation League

Go to Table of Contents.

* * * * * * * * *

FAQs on BIAS AND INCLUSION TRAINING

From the SPF School District Restart Plan, page six (Updated 01/27/21):
“Equity
The Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District is deeply dedicated to improving anti-racism education in all our schools. We are proud of our diverse community of learners and remain committed to taking intentional action to celebrate that diversity. The process to improve our practices and curriculum is ongoing work. The following initiatives highlight some of our initiatives but do not represent our finished product to ensure that every student feels represented. To that end, the district is committed to:

Hiring a student assistance specialist focused on diversity and inclusion.
Continuing the process to be a certified high school in the Anti-Defamation League's No Place For Hate program.
Supporting professional development opportunities for administration and staff on antiracism education, implicit bias, and systemic bias.
Continued curriculum review to ensure inclusive practices and materials.
Continued outreach with community organizations focused on diversity and inclusion.”

In line with the third bulleted item on the list, the SPF BoE approved a $30,000 budget for Inclusion and Bias Training for administrators and educators as part of their professional development. This training by the Institute for Teaching Diversity and Social Justice (a leader in this sector that has been doing this work since 2007) has been going on throughout this school year, and will continue.

Q: What is Bias and Inclusion Training for the employees of educational institutions?

In short, it is a layer of professional development training for school staff that helps educators and administrators of all backgrounds, identities and experiences more confidently teach the curriculum to students of all backgrounds, identities and experiences in a more fruitful and inclusive, less harmful way.

These "tools of culturally responsive teaching practices and anti-bias resources help educators to revise curricula and learning materials and develop teaching strategies for diverse classrooms." (via IDSJ)

The diversity in the classroom includes -- but is not limited to -- race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nation of origin, physical ability, physical attributes, socioeconomic status and family dynamic.

This is not a class that students take, yet every single child in every classroom benefits from having educators who have received this kind of training. It is about respect, acknowledgement and inclusion of everyone in the room--and beyond.

Q: Why do school administrators and educators need bias and inclusion training?

1. It is natural for everyone to have biases, but some biases can be harmful in an educational setting.

Training educators and administrators to see their own biases can help them make more deliberate, inclusive choices in the classroom that benefits all students.

“Teachers make on-the-spot decisions every day — whom to call on to answer a question, when to ask a student to redo an assignment, what homework to assign. But each of those decisions, as research demonstrates, may be tinged with unconscious bias, particularly around issues of race.”

From Uprooting Systemic Bias in Schools via Harvard School of Education

“If a student doesn’t feel accepted or seen or heard in their classroom spaces, and at a most basic level feel safe, if that’s not being met, then it’s harder for them to actually be ready and be in a place to learn.”

From 5 Things Educators Can Do to Address Bias in Their School via the National Education Association EdJustice

2. Libraries in schools or classrooms that are limited in who is represented in the books they carry (both the characters and the people who wrote/illustrated them) can be harmful to all students.

Training educators and administrators in how to see their own biases when choosing which books to buy and/or include in their curriculum can help them make more deliberate choices for a more inclusive experience that represents the wide variety of students in their classrooms and beyond.

“When you look in a library, it’s going to be mostly white subjects, white authors, it doesn’t even matter what you’re looking for. For young people trying to formulate what they can do in life, I don’t think we realize the message that sends.

We talk about the beauty of imagination and books, right? You can imagine yourself being anything. But that sentiment usually comes from people who always see some sort of representation of themselves in the books. But if [people in books] never look like you, that sends a message too. That actually activates your imagination in a negative way—that you never see a black scientist, you never see an Asian politician. These things limit. The amount of imagination we’re asking of our young people of color is astounding.

But it also affects white students, because it limits what they think their classmates of color can do. This has a real impact on how we see the world, how we support our systems. The young people are the carriers of our systems. They’re going to inherit it all, and we need them to imagine something better, something more inclusive. We nurture that by showing diverse voices, showing diverse histories, and really giving them a new idea.”

From Educators and Race: A Conversation with Author Ijeoma Oluo on Tackling Systemic Racism in U.S. Education via School Library Journal

3. When an educator says they “don’t see color,” that makes it impossible for them to see each student as an individual with their own unique experiences.

By making educators more comfortable with seeing each student for who they are, they are more able to ensure true inclusion and representation in their classrooms, curriculum, and engagement with students.

“When well-meaning people with good intentions say, "I don't see color," an ethnic minority will internalize that as meaning, "You don't see me." Part of the problem with our country’s desire to be “post-racial” and color-blind in terms of seeing the inherent worth of an individual regardless of skin color, is that you can dismiss all the concerns, experiences, and real-world issues of racism that plagues this country from both an individual and larger societal level.”

From "I Don't See Color." Then you don't see me via Psychology Today

4. Textbooks have either not included, swept over, or deliberately altered the history of slavery and racism in the United States, leaving generations of its citizens ignorant of its relevance to American history and where we are today.

Those who make decisions on which textbooks and other materials to purchase and use in curriculums should be made aware of what to look for when doing so in order to get more thorough, factual information in front of students.

“In Webster’s [History of the United States textbook] there was next to nothing about the institution of slavery, despite the fact that it was a central American institution. There were no African Americans ever mentioned. When Webster wrote about Africans, it was extremely derogatory, which was shocking because those comments were in a textbook. What I realized from his book, and from the subsequent ones, was how they defined “American” as white and only as white. Anything that was less than an Anglo Saxon was not a true American... I came across one textbook that declared on its first page, ‘This is the White Man’s History.’”

From How textbooks taught white supremacy: A historian steps back to the 1700s and shares what's changed and what needs to change via The Harvard Gazette

5. Even when teachers want to teach students about the history of racism and slavery, many feel ill-equipped to do so, fearing they will cause harm during the lessons.

Training teachers how to better understand their own implicit biases, see the biases in materials and conversations that come up, and then show them how to teach difficult subjects in an effective way that limits the chance of causing harm to students can increase their confidence to teach hard history in age-appropriate ways.

“The Teaching Tolerance project surveyed nearly 1,800 K-12 social studies teachers. While nearly 90 percent agreed that ‘teaching and learning about slavery is essential to understanding American history,’ many reported feeling uncomfortable teaching slavery and said they get very little help from their textbooks or state standards.”

From Why Schools Fail To Teach Slavery's 'Hard History' via NPR (See the full study by the Southern Poverty Law Center that it discusses here.)

6. Bias is something we all have (adults and children), not something we learn. What our school district does is not just help our administration and staff understand this fact and see how it affects decisions on both small and large scales, but also the students through their improved, inclusive, more conscientious teaching practices.

A bias isn't always necessarily a bad thing, but it absolutely can be harmful. This is why bias acknowledgement and prevention of those that undermine equity are in both legislative and local mandates for our students' education; doing so helps chip away at both the process of harm that some students in the district still regularly face (due to both individual and systemic biases against their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nation of origin, physical ability, physical attributes, socioeconomic status, family dynamic, etc.), and the progress of educating students who are less likely to make decisions that harm.

Honest conversation about this and learning in a safe environment that is both inclusive and encourages students to make more conscientious decisions has shown to reduce the harm of biases. Students are more likely to grow into respectful people in their personal, educational, professional, and civic lives.

“children begin to show bias from an early age. Not only do they absorb the stereotypes they see, but they also become "increasingly attuned to social category labels, social status, and the biases exhibited by family members”"

From Bias Starts as Early as Preschool, but Can Be Unlearned:
A new study finds that children show bias at a surprisingly young age. But teachers have ways to address this and create a welcoming classroom. via Edutopia

Q: Why is the SPF school district faculty receiving bias and inclusion training?

From the SPF School District Superintendent's Office:
"Dr. Mast, the District Superintendent, was motivated to move this work forward for a range of reasons, including a number of bias cases she encountered such as reports on student discipline, Social Media defamation and threats, and racially charged graffiti. The death of George Floyd also increased the community voice in the need to make both SPF and the country more just. Students and families have come forward requesting that the district engage in additional efforts to build a more inclusive community.

This professional development is a continuation of diversity, inclusion and equity work that the district has been engaged in for the past five years or more.

This training is designed to help educators examine their own practice to ensure that all students and all families feel like they belong to our district community and are able to access all the services that make us an excellent school system.

The objective is to increase the district's collective awareness on matters of both individual bias and institutional bias in order to make SPF a better place for teaching and learning for all.“

Q: What do we know about the organization that is doing the bias and inclusion training for our educators and administration in the district?

The Institute for Teaching Diversity and Social Justice (IDSJ), founded by Dr. Khyati Joshi and Shanelle Henry, has been receiving accolades for its approach and results since 2007. Dr. Joshi has been a highly sought-after expert, educator, writer and speaker in this field for two decades. Learn more about IDSJ and Dr. Joshi here:

About IDSJ
Praise for / Testimonials About IDSJ
IDSJ's Social Justice Education Recommended Reading List and Listening List
About Dr. Joshi | Awards & Recognition | Appearances | CV

Q & A from Dr. Khyati Joshi’s Parent Session at SPFHS:
"Talking to your Kids about Race and Racism"
(October 6, 2021)

Have more questions? We strongly encourage you to go straight to the source for the most accurate information: the SPF School District. Their website will give you access to the school communications, contact information for the District office (such as the Superintendents), curriculum details and more.

Go to Table of Contents.

* * * * * * * * *

FAQs ABOUT CRITICAL RACE THEORY (CRT)

Q: What is CRT?

In short, Critical Race Theory is a 40-plus-year-old framework of legal academic study in which the reasons how and why systemic racism exists and how to remove it from the various systems are looked at in great depth. It is a methodology, not an ideology.

Learn more here.

“In this post, we explain what Critical Race Theory is while sharing the thoughts from teachers on teaching about racism to their students…[Please] read the sources as homework.” Sources:

Just what is critical race theory and what's it doing in a nice field like education? (1998) | International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education article by Gloria Ladson-Billings
Why are states banning critical race theory? (2021) | The Brookings Institution article by Rashawn Ray and Alexandra Gibbons
What Do Teachers Think About Discussing Racism in Class? We Asked Them (2021) | Education Week article by Ileana Najarro
What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack? (2021) | Education Week article by Stephen Sawchuk
Racial/Ethnic Enrollment in Public Schools (Updated 2021) | Annual Report on National Center for Education Statistics

Further reading:

Critical Race Theory isn’t taught in elementary and secondary schools. So what is? (2021) CRTToolkit
- "Education Associations are where I go when I want to know more about what teachers do and why they teach what they teach:
  
  National Council for the Social Studies is the largest professional association devoted to social studies education. It serves as an umbrella organization for elementary, secondary, and college teachers of history, civics, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and law-related education.
  –
  The National Education Association (NEA) is an organization with affiliates in every state and over 14,000 communities in the United States. They are devoted to advancing justice and excellence in public education.
  –
  NEA EdJustice engages and mobilizes activists in the fight for racial, social, and economic justice in public education. They advocate for students, schools, and communities.
  –
  American Federation of Teachers is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO and represents a vast number of teachers across the United States.
  –
  American Historical Association is the largest professional organization serving historians in all fields and all professions. The AHA is a voice for advocating for history education, the professional work of historians, and the critical role of historical thinking in public life.
  –
  Zinn Education Project promotes and supports the teaching of people’s history in classrooms across the country.
  –
  Common Core are learning goals for what students should know and be able to do to at different grade levels."

Q: What is antiracism, if not the same thing as CRT?

Antiracism is a way of thinking, choosing, learning, acting and moving about in this world in an equitable way that anyone of any age can embrace.

"“To be antiracist is to think nothing is behaviorally wrong or right — inferior or superior — with any of the racial groups. Whenever the antiracist sees individuals behaving positively or negatively, the antiracist sees exactly that: individuals behaving positively or negatively, not representatives of whole races. To be antiracist is to deracialize behavior, to remove the tattooed stereotype from every racialized body. Behavior is something humans do, not races do."
– Ibram X Kendi in How to Be an Antiracist

Antiracism is the “active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably.”

– from the National Action Committee on the Status of Women International Perspectives: Women and Global Solidarity

The learning of a more thorough, accurate history and present of the United States that includes the acknowledgement of racist practices and systems is a typical starting point to antiracist education, which results in an awareness of one's own biases (unconscious or not) and then antiracist action (moving forward in a way that actively helps equalize the balance of racial power, presence, and voice). This can be done at any age and in various ways, big and small.

Further reading:

Being Antiracist | Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
What Anti-racism Really Means for Educators (2020) | Learning for Justice article by Jamilah Pitts
Becoming an Anti-Racist Educator | Wheaton College Center for Collaborative Teaching and Learning (2021) | Principal Kafele Writes
Critical Race Theory, Sleight of Hand, & Smoke and Mirrors
Antiracism Resources via the Scotch Plains Public Library

Q: I’d like to study CRT on my own. Which books should I read?

Some well-regarded CRT titles include:

Critical Race Theory: An Introduction by Richard Delgado, Jean Stefancic
Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings That Formed the Movement by Kimberlé Crenshaw, Neil Gotanda, Garry Peller, Kendall Thomas, Cornel West, et al
Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism by Derrick A. Bell
Critical Race Feminism: A Reader by Adrien Katherine Wing, et al
Crossroads, Directions, and a New Critical Race Theory by Francisco Valdes, Jerome McCristal Culp, Angela P. Harris, et al
On Critical Race Theory: Why It Matters & Why You Should Care by Victor Ray

Have more questions about how this applies (or doesn't apply) to the SPF school district? We strongly encourage you to go straight to the source for the most accurate information: the SPF School District. Their website will give you access to the school communications, contact information for the District office (such as the Superintendents), curriculum details and more.

Go to Table of Contents.

* * * * * * * * *
CALENDAR

Events are subject to change. Please check the website of the hosting parties to confirm in advance.

AUGUST 2022

Tuesday, August 2nd - Free interactive virtual training Understanding Implicit Bias via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Tuesday, August 2nd - Free family event in Fanwood, National Night Out (and R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF will be there!)
Tuesday, August 2nd - Free family event in Scotch Plains, National Night Out
Monday, August 8th - Free virtual Bystander Intervention training to stop anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment via Free to Be
Wednesday, August 17th - Free interactive virtual training Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Thursday, August 18th - Free interactive virtual training Understanding the Needs of LGBTQ Youth via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Tuesday, August 23rd - Free Racial Healing Circle in SPF from 7:30-9PM. All are welcome.
Thursday, August 25th - SPF Board of Ed Meeting
Tuesday, August 30th - Free webinar on social media and youth mental health

SEPTEMBER 2022

Tuesday, September 6th - Free virtual author event: Join Angela Joy and Janelle Washington as they discuss their new illustrated biography CHOOSING BRAVE (ages 8-12)
Tuesday, September 6th - Free virtual author event: An Evening with Sara E. Echenique (HISPANIC STARS: ROBERTO CLEMENTE, ages 8-12) and William Alexander (HISPANIC STARS: CELIA CRUZ, ages 8-12)
Wednesday, September 7th - 1st Day of School in SPF
Thursday, September 15th - Free interactive virtual training Strategies for Effective Bystander Intervention via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Sunday, September 18th - Free street festival Fanny Wood Day in Fanwood
Wednesday, September 21st - SPF Board of Ed Meeting
Monday, September 26th - Free virtual training Resilience: This Moment And Beyond via Right to Be
Tuesday, September 27th - Free Racial Healing Circle in SPF from 7:30-9PM. All are welcome.
Wednesday, September 28th - Free interactive virtual training Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions via the NJ Division of Civil Rights

OCTOBER 2022

Thursday, October 6th - SPF Board of Ed Meeting
Monday, October 17th - SEPAG meeting
Tuesday, October 18th - Last day to register to vote for the 2022 General Election
Wednesday, October 19th - SPF Board of Education Candidates Night Q&A Forum with the NJ League of Women Voters and the SPF PTA Council
Thursday, October 20th - Free interactive virtual training Strategies for Effective Bystander Intervention via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Thursday, October 20th - SPF Board of Ed Meeting
Saturday, October 22nd - R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF Meet & Greet Family Social, with Social Justice Matters (rain date: Sun. Oct. 23rd)
Saturday, October 29th - Early Voting Opens
Sunday, October 30th - Free event: Justice for Black Girls Means EveryBlackGirl Virtual Conference 2022

NOVEMBER 2022

Tuesday, November 1st - Free interactive virtual training Understanding Implicit Bias via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Wednesday, November 2nd - Join Dr. Mast and members of the SPF Board of Education for Coffee & Conversation
Sunday, November 6th - Early Voting Closes
Monday, November 7th - SEPAG meeting
Tuesday, November 8th - Election Day
Tuesday, November 8th - SPF's 1st Women in STEM and Business Night for high school Sophomores and Juniors
Tuesday, November 15th - SPFHS Class of '23 fundraiser at Darby Road (all day)
Tuesday, November 15th - College & Career Night at SPFHS
Thursday, November 17th - Free interactive virtual training Bystander Intervention to Stop Islamophobic and Xenophobic Harassment via Right to Be
Thursday, November 17th - SPF Board of Ed Meeting
Friday, November 18th - Free to the public: The 2022 Philip Roth Lecture The Influence of the 1619 Project in the Fields of American History, Education, and Journalism with Nikole Hannah-Jones and Jelani Cobb
Tuesday, November 22nd - All Saints Episcopal Church is hosting an in-person Racial Healing Circle at 7:30pm
Wednesday, November 23rd - All SPF Schools Single Session
Thursday, November 24th - All SPF Schools Closed
Friday, November 25th - All SPF Schools Closed
Tuesday, November 29th - Free interactive virtual training Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Wednesday, November 30th - Join Dr. Mast and members of the SPF Board of Education for Coffee & Conversation.
Wednesday, November 30th - Free interactive virtual training Understanding the Needs of LGBTQIA+ Youth via the NJ Division of Civil Rights

DECEMBER 2022

Tuesday, December 6th - Free interactive virtual training for educators Having Anti-Bias Discussions in Class via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Tuesday, December 6th - Free interactive virtual training Bystander intervention: How to be an ally when you witness online abuse via Right to Be
Thursday, December 8th - Free interactive virtual training Strategies for Effective Bystander Intervention via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Monday, December 12th - SEPAG meeting
Wednesday, December 14th - SJM and the JCC are hosting a virtual Racial Healing Circle at 7:30pm
Thursday, December 15th - Rutgers TRHT program is hosting a virtual Racial Healing Circle at 2:30pm
Thursday, December 15th - SPF Board of Ed Meeting
Wednesday, December 21st - Free interactive virtual training Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Friday, December 23rd - Single Session all schools, last day before Winter Break.

JANUARY 2023

Tuesday, January 3rd - First day back from Winter Break for all schools.
Thursday, January 5th - (Tentative) 2023 Annual Organization SPF Board of Ed Meeting
Monday, January 9th - SEPAG meeting
Monday, January 16th - Schools Closed for MLK Jr. Day
Monday, January 16th - SPF MLK Day of Service
Wednesday, January 18th - Free interactive virtual training Understanding the Needs of LGBTQIA+ Youth via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Thursday, January 19th - SPF Board of Ed Meeting
Tuesday, January 24th - Free interactive virtual training Understanding Implicit Bias via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Wednesday, January 25th - Free interactive virtual training Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Thursday, January 26th - Free interactive virtual training for educators Having Anti-Bias Discussions in Class via the NJ Division of Civil Rights

FEBRUARY 2023

Tuesday, February 7th - Deadline for families of graduating seniors to submit a Scotch Plains Fanwood Scholarship Foundation application
Thursday, February 9th - Chinese/Lunar New Year celebration open to the community at SPFHS
Thursday, February 9th - Virtual family workshop on social media, cyber safety, cyber bullying and more for SPF families with Detective Feehan of the NJ State Police.
Monday, February 13th - SEPAG meeting
Tuesday, February 14th - Free interactive virtual training Understanding Implicit Bias via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Wednesday, February 15th - Virtual Racial Healing Circle via The Truth, Racial Healing Circle, and Transformation (TRHT) Center at Rutgers University
Thursday, February 16th - Free interactive virtual training Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Thursday, February 16th - SPF Board of Ed Meeting (BOE FAQs)
Monday, February 20th - Schools Closed for Presidents' Day
Wednesday, February 22nd - Free interactive virtual training Understanding the Needs of LGBTQIA+ Youth via the NJ Division of Civil Rights

MARCH 2023

Saturday, March 4th - The Students for Equitable Education (Virtual) Summit, a student-led movement calling for equitable education that values, honors, and affirms the identity of every student.
Thursday, March 9th - SPF Board of Ed Meeting (BOE FAQs)
Tuesday, March 14th - Free interactive virtual training Understanding Implicit Bias via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Wednesday, March 15th - Virtual Racial Healing Circle via The Truth, Racial Healing Circle, and Transformation (TRHT) Center at Rutgers University
Wednesday, March 15th - Harlem Wizards night in SPF for an EEF of SPF Fundraiser.
Thursday, March 23rd - SPF Board of Ed Meeting (BOE FAQs)
Tuesday, March 28th - Free interactive virtual training Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions via the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Thursday, March 30th - Free interactive virtual training Understanding the Needs of LGBTQIA+ Youth via the NJ Division of Civil Rights

Go to Table of Contents.

** * * * * * * *

More to come...

We are R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF.
We are Scotch Plains-Fanwood public school parents, alumni, neighbors and educators united to bring more Representation, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Literary diversity to our school libraries, lessons and leaders.
Click the button below to join us!

Join R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF

Enter your email below to sign up for our newsletter.

Back to Home Page