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UNITE Student Leadership Team
Keysor's UNITE Student Leadership Team, formerly known as our Civil Rights Team, is comprised of fifth grade Keysor Kids. Our work unites character education, social justice, and service learning.
Keysor's Civil Rights Team was 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.
Keysor's Civil Rights Team was 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.
The UNITE Team pledge reflects a large 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 2010-2011 UNITE Student Leadership Team, most notably Robyn Hoffmann, Jennifer McCoy, Robin Ehrlich and fifth grade teachers Cathy Renkins, Allison Brown, and Leslie Smart.
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 UNITE 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 2010-2011 UNITE Student Leadership Team, most notably Robyn Hoffmann, Jennifer McCoy, Robin Ehrlich and fifth grade teachers Cathy Renkins, Allison Brown, and Leslie Smart.
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 UNITE 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 student 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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