In this issue, we share with you a set of guidelines and fun activities to get your school year off to a good start - plus new blogs and lessons. Enjoy!

Creating a caring learning community with our students is critically important – especially at this time of hardship and anxiety.

In this 30-page pdf, we've collected 19 classroom activities and guidelines to help you and your students get this challenging school year off to a good start. They'll help you connect and create a community with each other – even if it must be online. Most activities can be adapted for students from grades 3-12; some are designed specifically for younger grades.

"On one hand, as a white person, I know I have an opportunity and an obligation to interrupt. But I also have the trepidation of entering into something uncomfortable that I’m not entirely prepared for." Staff developer Lili Arkin writes about doing what needs to be done.

"Reading and discussing fiction gave my students time and space to respond creatively to the climate crisis—and consider how to use their own power to address it."

Also see Sarah Outterson-Murphy’s meaty compendium of Climate Fiction for Students and Teachers. 

Students consider what “white supremacy” means, what groups in society have supremacy, and explore the origins of white supremacy through a short video and discussion.

Seeing our capacity to effect change and working with others to make it can be a powerful self-help strategy. Here are some ways to support students in acting on the issues they care about.

"You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone — any person or any force — dampen, dim or diminish your light." - John Lewis