Columbia Spotlight

 We are so proud that the NJDOE has created an online hub for diversity and inclusion resources. I am sure they have added the new Social Justice Learning Standards from Learning for Justice. Here's a description from the LfJ website : Promote Social Justice Learning   Social justice education is essential in the current hostile learning environment created by censorship laws and policies aimed at prohibiting the teaching of honest history and further marginalizing LGBTQ+ students and educators. Helping children understand their own identities without devaluing others; encouraging them as they find the ways we’re all connected and deserving of respect; teaching them to recognize injustice and showing them how to act against it—this is the work of social justice education. The Learning for Justice  Social Justice Standards  are designed to guide in the development of inclusive curricula to make schools safer and more just and equitable. The standards are divided into four domains:

From September 15th - October 15th, Columbia High School will commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month.  We can't wait to see all of the neat things Dr. Robles and teachers have planned for the next 30 days! The following resources can be useful in your classroom. 1. PBS .  Along with the History Channel and CSPAN, PBS does an incredible job on its website collecting many of its features for teachers free of charge to stream!  2. National Hispanic Heritage Month Website . The Library of Congress,  National Archives and Records Administration , National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, the  Smithsonian Institution , and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum have joined in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. This website contains various lessons and materials from across these US Government institutions! Here is the special  EDUCATOR GUIDE . 3 . N

In January of this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranked suicide as the 14th leading cause of  death in New Jersey and the third leading cause of death for those ages 10 to 24. While New Jersey continues to  have a lower rate of suicide compared to the national average, suicide remains a priority area to combat within  the State. Last year we saw how devasting a teen suicide could be. That is why it is important to learn as much as possible about the rise in teen deaths by suicide.   The emotional well-being of students and staff is paramount to ensuring a successful academic year. To support schools in their efforts to increase awareness and prevent suicide, you may find it helpful to visit the  New Jersey Department of Education’s updated Suicide Prevention website  which includes resources for students, families, school staff, and free suicide prevention education toolkits.  As always, the  New Jersey Hopeline , the  2nd Floor Youth Helpline , and the  National