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Civil Rights Team
Keysor's Civil Rights Team was recently recognized with a 2008 Promising Practice Award from the Character Education Partnership in Washington, DC. They were also highlighted in the Fall 2008 Issue of Teaching Tolerance. Any interested fifth grader can join the Civil Rights Team.
When we think of civil rights, our minds often go straight to issues of race. This is important to our work, but the Civil Rights Team pledge reflects a much larger mission:
"I believe that Keysor's diversity is its strength. I also recognize that treating others badly because of their differences can turn diversity into a source of loneliness and hurt. I pledge to have respect for people whose abilities, beliefs, culture, race, ideas, or other characteristics are different from my own. To fulfill this pledge, I will examine my own biases and work to overcome them. I will set a positive example at home, school, and in my community. I will work to uphold the civil rights of every student at Keysor and interrupt hate and injustice whenever it occurs."
Keysor's Civil Rights Team began in January 2007 under the leadership of teacher Florence Borman and with advisory support from the State of Maine Attorney General's Civil Rights Team Project. Mrs. Borman has since moved to Kirkwood's Nipher Middle School, where she continues her social justice work with students in 7th grade social studies. Numerous teachers will work with our 2008-09 Civil Rights Team, most notably fifth grade teachers Robyn Hoffmann, Chris Ostendorf, and Keshia Parker. Fifteen current Keysor teachers have participated in Teaching & Leading for Social Justice Advocacy, a year-long training commitment and life-changing experience facilitated by Educational Equity Consultants. Our Teaching & Leading participants will serve in advisory and support roles for the Civil Rights Team.
"I believe that Keysor's diversity is its strength. I also recognize that treating others badly because of their differences can turn diversity into a source of loneliness and hurt. I pledge to have respect for people whose abilities, beliefs, culture, race, ideas, or other characteristics are different from my own. To fulfill this pledge, I will examine my own biases and work to overcome them. I will set a positive example at home, school, and in my community. I will work to uphold the civil rights of every student at Keysor and interrupt hate and injustice whenever it occurs."
Keysor's Civil Rights Team began in January 2007 under the leadership of teacher Florence Borman and with advisory support from the State of Maine Attorney General's Civil Rights Team Project. Mrs. Borman has since moved to Kirkwood's Nipher Middle School, where she continues her social justice work with students in 7th grade social studies. Numerous teachers will work with our 2008-09 Civil Rights Team, most notably fifth grade teachers Robyn Hoffmann, Chris Ostendorf, and Keshia Parker. Fifteen current Keysor teachers have participated in Teaching & Leading for Social Justice Advocacy, a year-long training commitment and life-changing experience facilitated by Educational Equity Consultants. Our Teaching & Leading participants will serve in advisory and support roles for the Civil Rights Team.
Limited funding is required for our team's work, but we've been fortunate to receive grants from Teaching Tolerance, Exxon Mobil, and the Kirkwood School District Foundation. We have also utilized district Safe and Drug Free Schools money to support our June CRT retreats.
Additional CRT links and information can be found in the column to the right.
"I joined the Civil Rights Team because we treat each other equally, we aren't mean to anybody, we have allies, and we are one." -Drew, 2007-08 Member of CRT
"I joined the Civil Rights Team because we treat each other equally, we aren't mean to anybody, we have allies, and we are one." -Drew, 2007-08 Member of CRT
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