1. Faces and Families of Jefferson Project Culturally Responsive Practice: Increasing Imaging of All Students in Schools by Celebrating Students and their Families By Patty Dempsey

2. INSPIRATION FOR PROJECT: Culturally Responsive Practices Workshop at 2014 PBIS Leadership Conference  Andreal Davis: School-Wide Cultural Imaging  Imaging in a school is an important part of celebrating a variety of cultures  “It’s important for kids to see others that look like them.”

3. SUMMARY GOAL and TIMELINE FOR PROJECT  GOAL: To is to validate and affirm the home culture and language of all of our students by highlighting one grade per month with a wall of student/family- made projects that showcases each of the faces and families of the school.  Week 1: Introduce project to the students, teachers, and parents to build collaboration, understanding, and support.  Week 2 and 3: Provide work time for students, begin to collect the pictures/names needed to complete project, and continue communication with teachers, students, and parents, as necessary.  Week 4: Take down current month’s display (from previous grade) to make room for next month’s projects. Collect completed projects and put up on wall for next month’s display.

4. DETAILED TIMELINE FOR PROJECT: Week 1  Introduce project with examples to students and send home parent letter  Collaborate with teachers on when to schedule class work times for project:  How many? How long?  Example) One or two 30-45 minute in-class work times, including one guidance time.  How to set students up for success by providing some basic materials?  Get names of potential student leaders that teachers elect to help put up projects at beginning of month and take down projects at end of month.

5. DETAILED TIMELINE FOR PROJECT: Week 2  Call selected parents (optional)  Purpose of conversation  A follow up to the letter to confirm they know about the project  Build bridge and inspire parents on what they can do as a family for this project.  Who to call  Those who teachers have concern may not provide support for kids.  Parents of students who have a history of not completing assignments.  Take pictures of individual students and email to para-professional to print.  Facilitate work time in classroom guidance for this project either week 2 or week 3, as determined by conversation with teachers.

6. DETAILED TIMELINE FOR PROJECT: Week 3  Have para-professional print pictures and names of each student.  Cut apart individual pictures and names  Staple name to individual pictures (or ask students to staple/tape together when they attach them to their respective projects)  Give pictures with attached names to teachers to have students attach to project when completed.  Consider offering time in guidance for this project either week 2 or week 3, as determined by conversation with teachers.

7. DETAILED TIMELINE FOR PROJECT: Week 4  Ask student leaders from previous month to help take down projects on a day the last week of the month (coordinate with teachers for best time – only need 20-30 minutes).  Invite new student leaders for upcoming month to put up completed projects before the first week of the month (coordinate with teachers for best time – need about 30 minutes).  Ensure project that is handed in has picture and name taped to project already.  When it's time to display, it's only one step.  Use wide tape to put up on wall or staples to put up in showcase

8. EXAMPLE LETTER TO PARENTS Dear parents, Our desire at Jefferson is to validate and affirm the home culture and language of all of our students through making connections that count. One way we have chosen to do this is by inviting all of our students to contribute to a wall that showcases the faces and families of Jefferson. We are so fortunate to have wonderful diversity within our school. We want all of our students to see how much they have in common with others in the school, even while celebrating the differences. To do this well, we will be highlighting one grade each month. For the month of October, we will be highlighting students in 6th grade. Specifically, we invite your child to choose two items that he/she wants to display that shows us a little about who they are and what is important to them and their family. Additionally, we will be taking a picture of your child in class to post next to their items on the wall, so we can make a stronger connection between the student and his/her chosen items. When choosing what to showcase, help them consider anything that helps us see what’s valuable to your child and helps us understand more about what’s meaningful to your family. This could be a creative project, like a picture they draw, a poem or short story they write, or a craft they make. This could also be something they bring in from home, like a family photo, a picture of someone they look up to as a role model, a picture of his/her favorite traditional foods, or a small item that represents an important tradition in your family. Your support will be very valuable. Our goal is to help your child feel more connected to our school and to help others feel more connected to your child. Items need to be handed to your child’s teacher by Tuesday, September 30. We will also provide time for them in classroom guidance to prepare their items and will remind them as the time gets closer too. We will begin putting the items on display starting October 1st. The items will be on display for the whole month and then their teacher will choose with their class to either display it longer in their classroom or send their items home. If you have any questions, feel free to call or email Jean Herron, the school counselor, at Jefferson at.... Sincerely, Jean Herron, school counselor Patty Dempsey, school counselor intern

9. RESPONSE TO PROJECT  From a sixth grade teacher: “The kids are very excited about these - all the projects are so different! Just like them! :)”  From school music teacher: “As I’ve shared with you and Mrs. Dempsey, this is SUCH a neat visual for our wonderful students! Thanks!”  From the Assistant Superintendent for the West Cluster Schools: “What a wonderful project for everyone!!”  From the Coordinator of School Improvement for PBIS and Parent Partnership: “What a great way to welcome, honor and connect with families.”  From a first grade teacher: “Love the project and love how fearless you are, digging in to touch so many of our students’ lives.”

10. PICTURES OF FINISHED PROJECT