First, listen…
Educator: I use the word ‘grownups’, not parents, or mom and dads. I used to use those words but I learned that some of my students are being raised by their grandparents or other family members. Some had one parent because the other was serving in the military or incarcerated. Some were with foster families. All of that is important to me because it is important to my students that I know they have same sex parents, or are adopted and don’t ‘look’ like their other family members. All families are talked about because young children will create their own narrative if you don’t give them one. So I talk about all the wonderful and different ways families are formed.
Then, learn…
- https://www.military.com/deployment/children-coping-with-deployment.html
- https://web.connectnetwork.com/programs-for-children-of-incarcerated-parents/
- https://www.familyequality.org/resources/lgbtq-inclusive-schools-6-things-to-watch-for/
- https://www.aamft.org/Consumer_Updates/grandparents.aspx
- https://www.americanadoptions.com/blog/3-ways-teachers-can-supportive-adoptive-families/
During #GlobalDiversityAwareness Month and all year round, California State PTA and National PTA have position statements and resolutions that give us authority to act on behalf of all families:
- http://downloads.capta.org/res/FosterFamilies.pdf
- http://downloads.capta.org/res/HomelessFamiliesWithChildren.pdf
- http://toolkit.capta.org/advocacy/position-statements/assistance-to-families-in-need/
- http://toolkit.capta.org/advocacy/position-statements/family-services/
- http://toolkit.capta.org/advocacy/position-statements/homeless-familieschildren/
- http://toolkit.capta.org/advocacy/position-statements/parent-involvement-building-bridges-and-eliminating-barriers/
- http://toolkit.capta.org/advocacy/position-statements/rights-and-services-for-undocumented-children-and-children-of-undocumented-immigrants/
- http://toolkit.capta.org/advocacy/position-statements/foster-childrenyouth-and-foster-families/
Then, Take Action…
We recognize that each PTA and school community will have different solutions, but these are great places to start:
- Make sure your PTA publications are inclusive. Remember that not all families look the same, so make certain that your PTA fliers reflect that.
National PTA has a Diversity Toolkit that you can use to help your unit connect with all the families on your campus https://www.pta.org/home/run-your-pta/Diversity-Equity-Inclusion
Click here to read part 1 of this series.
Click here to read part 2 of this series.
Click here to read part 3 of this series.
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