CQ Corner 2023-2024
How They CQ: Ridgewood & Thomas Jefferson
During the 4th quarter’s CQ Corner feature, we will highlight the culturally responsive activities and events that have happened, are happening, or will happen in our schools.
This week’s CQ Spotlight is Ridgewood Elementary and Thomas Jefferson Elementary.
Ridgewood’s Life Skills Integration
Ridgewood is proud to support cultural competency. Ridgewood is blessed to have the Life Skills program in our building. One area of CQ Ridgewood continues to work on is equitable systems for all students. By providing this opportunity for all learners, Ridgewood is able to integrate some Life Skills students into regular education settings. Ridgewood also has general education students who are helpers who take students on building walks. Building the capacity of every student and staff member has been rewarding and the growth mindset is amazing.
Joey Dilulio
Ridgewood Principal
Thomas Jefferson: Culture and Career Night
The Thomas Jefferson FACE Team hosted a Culture and Career Night on Thursday, April 4th. Cultures highlighted at the event included Somoan heritage (presented by the Mikaio family) and Karen Dancers (secured through EL teacher Crystal Aldeman). Careers included Electrician (Maribeth Hartmann), Artist (Cassandra Mikaio), Construction Management (Tom and Kathy Slayden), and Chef (Xavier Wilson). All those involved are parents to TJ students! It was a wonderful night to share what makes our families unique and special here in the RIMSD41 district!
Ian Scott
Thomas Jefferson Principal
Take time to review and to reflect!
How They CQ: Rock Island High School
&
Thurgood Marshall Learning Center
During the 4th quarter’s CQ Corner feature, we will highlight the culturally responsive activities and events that have happened, are happening, or will happen in our schools.
This week’s CQ Spotlight is Rock Island High School & Thurgood Marshall Learning Center.
Thurgood Marshall Market Annual Clothing Giveaway
In our ongoing effort to engage Thurgood Marshall Learning Center families while providing a much needed resource for the community, the school’s FACE team [Family and Community Engagement] with para-educator Johnna Gamble leading the charge, planned a clothing giveaway event that was held on March 28th. “Marshall Closet” has been supplying clothing, toiletries and basic essentials to students in need for many years, but this year marks the beginning of an annual event where parents can browse our substantial inventory of clean, new or lightly used clothing. All the items were received through generous donations. The event impacted eight families this year with clothing for toddlers through adults given to very appreciative recipients. In addition to Marshall Closet, Thurgood Marshall also provides food boxes every month to families in need via Marshall Market. It’s our objective to connect with families and provide fundamental resources to help them through difficult economic times.
Charlie Driscoll
TMLC Principal
Take time to review and to reflect!
RIHS Culture Fest: Many Cultures, One Rocky
Rocky's Culture Club hosted its inaugural CULTURE FEST last spring to showcase and celebrate the unique backgrounds, talents, and experiences of our students and community. The slogan for this year's event is Many Cultures, One Rocky, and it will be held at the high school on Wednesday, May 15th from 5:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. CULTURE FEST will feature a variety of aspects of culture including food, music, dance, games, art, history, poetry, fashion, traditions, and literature. The event is free and open to all in the district and community!
RIHS Culture Club
How They QC: Eugene Field
During the 4th quarter’s CQ Corner feature, we will highlight the culturally responsive activities and events that have happened, are happening, or will happen in our schools.
This week’s CQ Spotlight is Eugene Field.
Taste of Eugene Field
The "Taste of Eugene Field'' is now an annual event, held this year on the evening of February 29th. The gymnasium was filled with our diverse families, many who set up tables spotlighting their own cultural heritage, including samples of cuisine and other traditions. Groups of students performed cultural dances on our stage. The evening culminated in a powerful native Aztecan dance, performed by a Eugene Field family - that resonated in our hearts. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins attended to experience the "taste" of Eugene Field! Many do not realize just how diverse our school of 435 students really is. 19 different home languages are represented by Eugene Field families - as well as American Sign Language. Over 16% of our families' preferred language is something other than English! We love the diversity of Eugene Field and are proud to spotlight our students and their families for the rich cultural traditions that they bring to our community. We are honored to serve our students and families at Eugene Field.
Jennifer Alongi
Principal, Eugene Field
Take time to review and to reflect!
March 2024
Women’s History Month
“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often, the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America were as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.” This is President Jimmy Carter’s message as he designated March 2-8 as National Women’s History Week. Eventually, in the late 1980s, Women’s History Week evolved into Women’s History Month. Below are a few Women’s History resources to explore:
Honoring Women's History Month
A Proclamation on Women’s History Month, 2024 | The White House
14 Inspiring Quotes #Women'sHistory
National Women's History Museum
Take time to review and to reflect!
February 2024
Black History Month: Education
College, Career & Life Ready
Booker T. & W.E.B.
Milestones in African American Education provides a condensed view of the pathway to equal opportunities in education for African Americans. There have been immense struggles, and through it all, two prominent African American men who fought for equality in education were W.E.B. Dubois and Booker T. Washington. Dubois introduced the Talented Tenth Talented Tenth | Educational Concept | Britannica, a movement designed to develop the leadership capacity among the most able 10 percent of Black Americans. In contrast, Booker T. Washington emphasized the importance of industrial education which encouraged cultivating agricultural and industrial skills.
The poem Booker T. and WEB by Dudley Randall | Poetry Foundation captures the essence of two powerful, yet differing perspectives on obtaining education in the Black community as obtaining quality education continued to be a struggle for African Americans.
Take time to review and to reflect!
December 2023
Food Justice
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
author unknown
During this holiday season and beyond, there will be families who need a helping hand to provide the basic necessities for their households. Local organizations such as NEST Cafe provide a space for people to receive nourishment “regardless of means.” What Is Food Justice and Why Is It Necessary? from FoodPrint.org gives a global perspective of food insecurity.
Basically, the need is great, so let’s take time to review, to reflect, and to take care of each other!
November 2023
Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is dedicated to celebrating the diverse culture, history, and traditions of the Native people. November was officially declared Native American Heritage Month in 1990 by former President George H. W. Bush. Every year since 1994, a new proclamation has been made. Read more about the history of Native American Heritage Month [nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov].
Tedx-Native Americans: We Shall Remain
In observance of Native American Heritage Month, LoVina Louie, in her Tedx, Native Americans : We Shall Remain | LoVina Louie | TEDxCoeurdalene, uses story and song to explain what she views as the “historical root causes for challenges facing Native Americans”. As she mentions, LoVina is an enrolled member of the Schitsu’umsh Tribe.
Take time to review and reflect!
September 2023
Names Matter
According to American author Ralph Ellison, “It is through our names that we first place ourselves in the world. Our names, being the gift of others, must be made our own.” Indeed, when we meet someone new, our name is usually the first piece of information about ourselves that we share. It is often one of the first markers of our identity that others learn. We use names to introduce the concept of identity and the idea that each of our identities is the product of the relationship between the individual and society.” (Facing History & Ourselves-My Part of the Story: Exploring Identity in the United States).
This @leadingells Pronouncing Student Names chart outlines ways a student’s name may be handled if it’s a name we are not used to pronouncing. It also provides pointers listed when faced with a student’s name that we can’t readily pronounce.
Take time to review and reflect!
Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, with September 16th being Mexican Independence Day.
Every year from September 15 to October 15, Americans celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by appreciating the community’s history, heritage, and contributions of the ancestors of American citizens who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South- and Central America... (National Today).
Continue reading this article HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH for more insight into the national observance of the Hispanic and Latino cultures.
Take time to review and reflect!