A Monthly Update from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation OF NOTE A Monthly Update from The Nellie Mae Education Foundation Photo by Glodi Miessi on Unsplash Increasing Inclusive Policies with Struggle and Celebration As we conclude Black History Month, we have seen the manifestations of oppression in many forms, all against the backdrop of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic (read more of our statement on these crises here). We are also celebrating historic moments such as the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson, who would be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, as well as the celebrations and holidays that center community that have taken place in January and February, including Lunar New Year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the continuation of Black History Month (watch our video from last year’s celebration featuring Nellie Mae community members here). Read on for resources that embrace both the struggle and the celebration necessary for increasing inclusive educational policies. OPTING OUT OF STANDARDIZED TESTING Nellie Mae grantee Prism offers an in-depth look into how the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated and exposed long-standing inequities in standardized testing, and how many students and families are opting out of tests in response. Read More GOING ALL-IN FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE CLASSROOM As teachers across the country plan lessons around Black History Month, post-racial narratives that place anti-Black racism in the past must be replaced with necessary discussions about the truth of racism today. This is even more necessary in light of attacks on teaching the truth in schools, often (incorrectly) named as Critical Race Theory. Read More BANNING BOOKS IS DENYING STUDENTS THEIR HUMANITY As we continue to see demands for legislative bans of books centering the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ people growing across the country, it is important that we take the time to remind ourselves why these stories are vital to an equitable education. Banning these books sends the message that the experiences of marginalized students don't matter. Read More REFRAMING LEARNING LOSS WITH DENA SIMMONS, Ed.D. Join us today, February 28, for our first #EdEquityTalks event of 2022, co-sponsored by LiberatED, focused on reframing learning loss to center racial equity and the needs of our young people. Nellie Mae Program Officer Alexis Harewood and Dena Simmons, Ed.D., founder of LiberatED, will co-host this panel, featuring students Giulia Gennari, Favour Ben-Okafor, and Law-Rel Butler, and guest poet Jaylee Carles. Register Now In This Issue #ImWithYouth Nellie Mae grantee Outright Vermont is calling on community members to send in "Heck Yeahs" to support trans students. Learn how to participate in this project. Learn More-> Building Joyful Spaces with African Community Education (ACE) Our grantee ACE provides community work for African immigrants and refugees in Worcester, including tutoring, English language instruction, and mentorship. This article highlighting their work provides examples of the positive outcomes that occur when we create more inclusive programs and policies. Read more-> I Have a Dream... To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the youth members of our grantee ARISE shared some of their dreams for themselves and their community, and the work that ARISE is doing to make those dreams a reality. Learn More-> Elevating the Need of Students with Disabilities School closings have been a complicated issue for students with disabilities and their families, in ways that leaders in education have often failed to consider. Parents of students with disabilities speak up on the tough decisions they and their children are making in this article. Read More-> Rapid Response Survey  To help Nellie Mae determine the focus of our next Rapid Response Fund, we would like to hear directly from community members. In this short survey please tell us what urgent need in your community you think a short-term, $5,000-$25,000 grant to a school or community-based organization could help address. Complete the Survey-> About Us Grants Resources Contact Us 1250 Hancock Street Suite 701N Quincy MA 02169 (781) 348-4200 ‌ ‌ ‌ Nellie Mae Education Foundation | 1250 Hancock St., Suite 701N, Quincy, MA 02169 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!