July Newsletter: Freedom Schools and Special Projects Sneak Peak
Greetings, community!
We are keeping this newsletter short and sweet because it’s summer and that means Freedom Schools and all hands on deck for our team :) We are having a blast so far and excited to share some fun updates with you. We hope you are staying safe and staying cool. Grab some soft serve from @thepastryproject and catch up with us!
Here’s what you’ll find in this month’s newsletter:
Freedom Schools First Two Weeks Recap!
Special Projects Sneak Peak: Joy Manual for K-12 Educators and Leaders
We’re moving! Office Furniture Giveaway
Estelita’s Book Drive Thank You!
Community and Educational Resources
Freedom Schools: How We Feelin?!
We’re nearly at the halfway point of summer and we can’t believe it! The first two weeks of Freedom Schools were filled with lots of joy and learning.
We delved into the themes of “Who am I?” and “Who are my people?”, making lots of connections along the way. Books like Say My Name by Joanna Ho, Always Anjali by Sheetal Sheth, What Did My Ancestors Eat? by Quinn Miller Murphy, and My Two Border Towns by David Bowles opened up discussions on cultural traditions and legacies, immigration, and the importance of embracing the many parts of our identities (even when racist people, policies, or histories put barriers in our way).
When we weren’t working through our critical literacy lessons we spent time with community partners who taught us how to make music (harmonies, rhythms, etc.), how to cook (potato chips and herbal tea), and how to use imaginative storytelling as a form of self-expression (through sock puppet creation and theatre).
The fun continued as we traveled off-site for field trips! At Saltwater State Park we explored the intertidal zone with naturalists from the Seattle Aquarium, learned how to build sturdy tents and shelters from our friends at Braided Seeds, and spent some time getting to know aquatic macroinvertebrates with Washington State Park representatives. At MoPOP we immersed ourselves in cool interactive exhibits; vibing in the sound lab, making our own stop-motion videos, and getting a peek behind the curtain at how to make video games were all highlights.
We are savoring every moment of our time together; we know the rest will fly by.
ICYMI: Check out last month’s blog feature: 5 Ingredient Recipe for 5 Weeks of Freedom Schools to learn about all of the components of Freedom Schools and the incredible effort of our team to prepare for summer program each year.
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In the midst of all of our fun and learning - we are dealing with above average temperatures and a HOT summer so far. Unfortunately, the operational costs for building rental, custodial fees, and HVAC through Seattle Public Schools are 3x the cost of last year and what we originally budgeted for. Right now, we only have enough funds to use HVAC for part of our days. Help us keep the AC on and keep our staff and scholars cool while they learn!
Community Building is FUNdamental to Learning!
We are excited to introduce our new digital workbook designed to help K-12 educators infuse joy into their classrooms and curriculum just in time for the upcoming school year. Sourcing games from various students, educators, organizations, and websites, this workbook emphasizes the importance of Community Building. It offers a variety of student-approved games that foster strong relationships, team building, and collective problem-solving. K-12 students and adults alike will benefit from these fun challenges in their learning spaces.
These activities, especially popular in staff meetings, are quick and easy to implement, with most taking less than 15 minutes. To maintain the integrity of circle practice, which often takes more time with larger groups, and despite the pressure of tight curricular timelines, we are making joyful community building feasible! These activities lead to deeper engagement and fewer conflicts, as students feel more comfortable with vulnerability and authenticity. We can’t wait to share the workbook with you all soon! In the meantime, check out this sample page.
We are moving! We are currently in the process of donating/selling at reduced cost office furniture and supplies to any groups or individuals who can pick up at our Seattle office currently located in Hillman City. To schedule pick up or ask questions email info@wa-bloc.org.
Photos, dimensions, and inventory are here. The list will be updated as items are claimed/added. Please feel free to share!
Estelita's Library x WA-BLOC Book Drive for Freedom Schools Final Update!
Huge shout out to each of you who purchased books for scholars through our partnership with the one and only Estelita's Library. We are so grateful for you! Your generosity will put more than 50 books in the hands of young scholars, ensuring the fun for learning lives on beyond the summer! This book drive is now closed and we look forward to doing it again next year!
Partner Events & Educational Resources
SESEC Advocacy and Policy Cohort Now Accepting Applications: Priority Deadline August 30th, 2024
Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park Amphitheater 2050 S. Jackson St., Seattle. Events start at 7:30 PM - Films begin at sundown. This free event is for all ages and is open to the public.
South Seattle Emerald: OPINION | When Will We Fully Fund Student Mental Health Services and Restorative Justice Practices?
One Million Experiments: Film Screening and Convo | Thursday, July 25th @ Washington Hall 6:30pm | Free
Bakers for Palestine Mutual Aid Sale Sunday, August 18th Noon to 2pm A RESTING PLACE, 670 S King St Seattle
Reclaiming Wellness: Therapy Fund Foundation presents the second annual, behavioral health conference and resource fair dedicated toward decolonizing therapeutic practices and improving mental health outcomes for communities of color.
Register HERE, only virtual tickets available*
