December 2023 Newsletter
Hi, Community!
Have you ever seen the powerful shape-shifting of a flock of Starling birds? Murmurations are huge groups of starlings that twist, turn, swoop, and swirl across the sky in beautiful shape-shifting clouds.
“The changing shape of starling flocks comes from each bird copying the motions of the six or seven others around it with extreme rapidity; their reaction time is less than a tenth of a second. Turns can propagate through a cloud of birds at speeds approaching ninety miles per hour, making murmurations look from a distance like a single pulsing, living organism.” - Helen Macdonald.
As 2023 comes to a close and we prepare for a collective moment of rest, reflection, and rejuvenation, we remain grounded and inspired by the “murmuring” of our community… the rapid collective action that is necessary and somehow beautiful and speaks a new world into existence…the power of having a shared focus and working together…may we continue to make room for one another and move together.
In this newsletter, you can read more about:
School Partner Spotlight: Restorative Justice at John Muir Elementary School!
Giving Tuesday thank you and update!
ICYMI: Hiring Development Manager!
WA-BLOC Holiday Pause
WA-BLOC has expanded to provide site-based support for five additional elementary schools in our Southeast/central Seattle neighborhood this year to become restorative school communities!
This month, we are excited to feature one of these amazing new school partners: John Muir Elementary School! We have been so excited to work with John Muir and hit the ground running this Fall, supporting their Tri-Days professional development, facilitating community-building activities circles for staff, and strategizing how to systematize RJ practices, including making time in weekly schedules for classroom circles and much more!
"RJ practices have helped us foster a community of cultural acknowledgments, harm repair, and a deeper sense of community amongst the students and staff." - Principal Quinta Thomas
Read the full blog to hear more from Principal Quinta Thomas & other John Muir faculty members.
Thank you so much to those who donated and continue to contribute towards our Giving Tuesday goal of $500 in new monthly donations!
Our Giving Tuesday goal continues through the end of the year!
All donations will help us sustain our new school partnerships for whole-school restorative practices.
Your radical generosity will directly support professional development/training and materials for leaders, educators, youth, and families, and increase WA-BLOC staff capacity to provide restorative support, coaching, and conflict mediation and advocate for systems change across Seattle Public Schools.
Every dollar counts, and your donation will have a significant impact that will help us sustain critical programming.
In case you missed it, we're hiring for a Part-Time Development Manager to join our highly collaborative and innovative team!
Are you passionate about engaging in education and youth-based work?
Do you have fund development experience in nonprofit?
Is it easy for you to develop deep, trusting relationships with diverse individuals from many different backgrounds?
This job may be for you!
This is an hourly, part-time position (~20-24 hours/week @ $33.65-38.48/hour). For the right candidate, it can become a full-time Development and Communications position within 3-6 months. Benefits included.
Priority application deadline is December 15th, tomorrow!
We're taking a holiday pause from December 18 - January 1 and practicing collective care.
During this time, our hard-working team will have the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate. We'll see you in the new year refreshed and well-rested!
We hope you have a gentle holiday season. See you in 2024!
