Each October, grassroots organizers and education advocates join the Dignity in Schools Campaign to raise awareness about school pushout and the ways in which it carries severe and lasting consequences for students, parents, schools, and communities. School pushout refers to the multitude of systemic factors that hinder or discourage young people from staying on the path to completing their education. Education level is a major social determinant of health and has long term impacts on the health of individuals and communities. Some of these factors that school pushout refers to include, but are not limited to, an excessive reliance on zero-tolerance policies and punitive measures such as suspensions and expulsions, an overemphasis on law enforcement tactics and the delegation of disciplinary authority to law enforcement, and a history of systemic racism and inequality.

The theme for this year’s week of action, “Educate, Liberate, Elevate!” emphasizes that students thrive when there is a strong foundation of culturally responsive and caring adults in schools who can support their needs. In addition to ensuring that students have caring adults in their lives, it is also important to advocate for policies that will end the harmful practices that lead to school pushout and instead focus on positive approaches to school discipline such as positive behavior supports, restorative practices, and trauma-informed practices.

Some of these topics, including positive approaches to school discipline, restorative practices, and trauma-informed practices, will be explored at the upcoming Reimagine Youth Wellness: A Caring Adults Summit in Santa Fe, NM. Visit https://www.aaihb.org/reimagine-youth-wellness-summit/ for more information about the summit (registration closes on Friday, October 27, 2023), and visit https://www.dscwoa2023.com/ to learn more about the National Week of Action against School Pushout. 

In 1988, World AIDS Day became the first international global health day. Each year, December 1 serves as a reminder of the global struggle to end HIV-related stigma, an opportunity to honor those we lost, and a rallying cry to continue working toward a day when HIV no longer affects our communities. 

In 2023, the theme is “World AIDS Day 35” Remember and Commit” to commemorate 35 years of significant progress in addressing HIV/AIDS through medical research advancements, increased access to treatment and prevention, and a broader understanding of the virus. Through remembrance, we draw strength and determination to increase our efforts in fighting HIV and providing support to individuals living with HIV. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the importance of compassion, empathy, and solidarity in the face of adversity.

The other aspect of the theme, “commit” emphasizes our collective responsibility to act. Each of us can make a difference in our communities, whether through working to improve health equity by increasing access to prevention, care, and treatment; promoting accurate education and awareness; or supporting programs that work tirelessly to serve those at risk and living with HIV. “Remember and Commit” reinforces the need for our whole society to respond to eliminate HIV.



For more information, visit HIV.gov here.

Reimagine Youth Wellness: A Caring Adults Summit

NM Community Planning and Action Group Meetings - Friday, November 3, 2023 beginning at 9:30 am.

To join the NM CPAG list serve, email John Murphy at johnj.murphy@doh.nm.gov

If you have events you want to include in our monthly newsletter, please send them to Kurt at kbegaye@aaihb.org.