April 12, 2022 | Issue 24 (View newsletter as webpage)

Important News

Celebrate

Arab American Heritage Month

During April, we uplift Arab American Heritage Month. The resources below will help educators celebrate Arab identity, counter negative stereotypes, teach about Arab history and cultures, and ensure an inclusive environment that supports Arab American students this month and throughout the year.

Resources from Learning for Justice address ways that educators can:

Uplift Arab American students
Counter negative narratives
Make classroom content more inclusive
Include Arab American history and culture in the curriculum

Explore the Resources here

Resources

¡Adelante! Moving Forward! A Guide to Empower Parents of English Learners to Advocate for their Children

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is legislation that protects the rights of English Learners. It is the responsibility of schools to ensure that ELs have equal access to quality education that enables them to progress academically while learning English. Many parents of ELs are not aware of these laws and therefore cannot advocate for their children.

This resource provides user-friendly and accessible information regarding the legal responsibilities of educational agencies serving ELs and the rights of parents of ELs. It is available in English and Spanish and includes four units:

Student Rights
Parent Engagement
Translation and Interpretation
Special Education

The publication was developed through a partnership between the MAEC and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law’s Parental Readiness and Empowerment Program (PREP).

Download the Resource here

Discussion with Ms. Jane Dunhamn, Director of the National Black Disability Coalition

Learn about parent advocacy from Jane Dunhamn, a nationally recognized disabilities advocate whose experience in disability-related fields spans 50 years – focusing on the intersection of race and disability.

In honor of Women’s History Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the Bloomfield Civil Rights Commission, and SPAN's Parents as Champions for Healthy Schools Initiative hosted this webinar.

View the recording here

Learn more about Parents as Champions for Healthy Schools here

Upcoming Events

See what's happening

SPAN offers a variety of learning opportunities for families and the professionals who work with them. Check out our Event Calendar here for details and registration links

Upcoming Events include:

More events

Decorative photo of Mom and toddler reading

Early Relational Health Summit:

Joining Hands To Promote Foundational Relationships For Every Child

May 11, 2022

7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

The Palace at Somerset Park

Franklin Township NJ

Learn how foundational relationships between young children and their caregivers impact physical health, child development, social well-being, and resilience.

This summit is an opportunity for a collaborative day of learning and innovation among a diverse group of changemakers, including:

Pediatric healthcare professionals
Early childcare providers
Community and family partners
Government leaders
Policy advocates

The summit registration fee is $25. Scholarships are available.

Contact Leeda Osman losman@njaap.org for scholarship information.

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