Teaching Juneteenth and the Meaning of Freedom

On June 19, 1865, over 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas were informed that the Civil War was won months earlier and they were finally free. Since then, Juneteenth, also known as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Emancipation Day,” "Jubilee Day," or “Freedom Day,” has been celebrated by Black communities. The date became a federal holiday in 2021 after decades of activists' and organizers' hard work to convince our leaders to designate June 19th as a National Independence Day.

To help educators include Juneteenth in their curricular materials, the National Education Association (NEA) compiled background reading lessons, and recommended book lists. These resources are not only useful for educators, they are excellent for anyone wanting to learn more about this holiday.

The background and reading information includes:

• Juneteenth: How and Why It Should Be Taught in K-12 Schools
• Teaching Juneteenth
• Juneteenth: Black History for White People
• When and How to Talk to Children About Enslavement: Discussion Questions for Educators
• Teaching the Hard History of American Slavery
• Celebrating Juneteenth (for young students)

To access these resources, and much more, click here.

Pictured left to right are award recipients Aracely Di Girolamo and Carla Vicari.

First Ever "Debbie Esposito: Family-School Partnership Awards" Presented to Awardees at NJ State Special Education Advisory Council Meeting

On Thursday, June 13, the very first Debbie Esposito Family-School Partnership Awards were awarded to two deserving parent leaders at the NJ State Special Education Advisory Council (SSEAC) meeting.

This award, named in memory of our beloved former SPAN colleague, recognizes a parent/guardian who has demonstrated substantial leadership and engagement for the special education community in their school district. It celebrates their advocacy work on behalf of all families, not only their own children.

The first awardees are Co-leaders of the Union Township Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) - Aracely Di Girolamo and Carla Vicari.

Congratulations Aracely and Carla for this very well-deserved recognition!

Resources

Join the Family Voices and NORC at the University of Chicago Dental Care Focus Groups

Family Voices National and NORC at the University of Chicago are holding focus groups with parents and caregivers of children with special health care needs and disabilities to learn more about the challenges families face when navigating dental care for their children and what helps. 

The information from these focus groups will be used to improve healthcare systems and to increase awareness of parents’ and caregivers' experiences. Selected focus group participants will receive a gift card for their participation.

Learn more and apply to participate here: NORC Dental Care Focus Groups Application