The UPAC School Partnership Committee is a very active group that has been working hard to build, and foster, relationships with the Fort Atkinson School District.
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Our primary areas of focus include:
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Books that address issues of bullying, bias and identity
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Teacher & Staff training
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Schoolwide/districtwide initiatives
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Professional Development (PD) for teachers
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Curriculum "drop-in/pre-packaged" items
Although 2020 was a very different kind of year for us, as it was for everyone, the School Partnership Committee was still very actively involved in building relationships within the school district. With the assistance of Fort Community Credit Union, the Committee was able to obtain a $15,000 grant to aid in the promotion of our mission. Through partnership with Scholastic Books, the School Partnership Committee was able to supply a wide array of new books to our public schools; from Kindergarten through Middle School. These books are not just library pick ups, but are being worked into course curriculum by the teachers themselves, and being used as tools to enhance pre-existing curriculums.
Delivery Day!
Pictured: Whitney Townsend, Jocelyn Vechinsky, Lisa Hollenberger - Director of Pupil Services and Special Education, Amy Oakley - Director of Instruction
You will find these stickers on books provided by The Unity Project - these books come in reading levels K-8 and cover topics which range from Black History to Empathy.
Why Books?
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Mirrors: Allow You to See Yourself Represented in a Story and Explore Your Identity
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Windows: Bring Visibility to Cultures Different From Our Own
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Reading Builds Community, Unity and Inclusivity
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Creates Openings for Discussions About What's Happening in Current Events
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Emphasizes Similarities: Kids Are Kids No Matter How Different Their Backgrounds
WHAT'S NEXT, YOU ASK?!?!
With public displays of hate on the rise, it is more important than ever for schools to commit to programs that clearly define expectations in behavior for all members of the community.
