March 2018  
Diversity & Inclusion 
Parent Resources  
 

Summary 
The Diversity and Inclusion Committee at WNS sends monthly emails to our professional 
community, sharing resources and lesson plans with each other. Thanks to your feedback at a 
recent book club meeting, we hear that you would like monthly emails as well!   

Look for us in your e-news at the beginning of each month and please email skoff@wnsk8.com or 
mearly@wnsk8.com to suggest any resources, comments or corrections to this live document! 

Articles and Resources 

25 Anti-Bias Alternatives to the “How Was Your Day?” Question 
Link: The standard question of “How was your day?” often gets met with a one-word response, 
blank stare, bewilderment or even hostility. Instead, try asking a question that starts a 
conversation and shows that you value the social, emotional and/or intergroup dynamics that go 
on in school. 

A Coda to Black History Month 

Link: National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman wrote original poetry for Black History 
Month, which has been animated by the New York Times. 

After Parkland, Students Choose to Participate 

Link: As students take action after Florida's school shooting, introduce a framework for civic 
participation with children. 

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American Creed 
PBS Film: Discussion Guides: Condoleezza Rice and David Kennedy cross party lines to ask what 
it means to be American. 

Discussing "The Mental Health Issue" After Parkland 

Link: When talking with children about mass shootings, it can be difficult to avoid addressing 
mental health. Teaching Tolerance recommends ways you can talk about mental health with 
children—without adding a stigma. 
 

Walkouts, Marches and the Desire to 'Do Something': What You Need to 
Know About Stoneman Douglas Activism 
Link: After the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, 
courageous survivors have inspired a groundswell of activism and advocacy. Here's what you 
need to know—and what you can do, no matter your situation 
 

Wakanda Is a Fictional Country, but the African Language in ‘Black Panther’ 

Is Real 
Link: In “Black Panther,” the filmmakers have used isiXhosa, one of South Africa’s 11 official 
languages, to solidify the story’s African authenticity. 

Upcoming WNS Parent Book Club! - RSVP Here! 

April 11: We’re currently reading The Other Wes Moore and we look forward to discussing it with 
you! Please join the Diversity and Inclusion Literacy Subcommittee as we discuss this profound 
and gripping book. Librarian Jaclyn Glendon will be leading this morning session. 

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Multicultural Community Events 

These events in the LA area are not hosted or endorsed by WNS. Please check to be sure that 
an event complements your child’s age, maturity, and understanding. 

Los Angeles Lantern Festival - Link 

March 3: For the 17th year, the Chinese American Museum will host a celebration that honors the 
end of the Lunar New Year festivities. This free cultural event features engaging community 
booths, museum tours, live entertainment, music, arts and crafts, and food trucks. 

 
Holi on the Beach 2018 - Link 
March 3 & 4: The Association for India’s Development (AID) LA-OC Chapter invites you to our 
Grand 11th Annual Holi On The Beach celebration. In grand sponsorship with Live Nation 
Entertainment and Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education & Psychology, we invite 
you to come enjoy the festival of colors with a whole weekend of Holi fun where you will get 
magnificent colors, heart throbbing music and delicious food from Bollywood Zaika and Rasoi 
Curry Point. 
 

Family Jam: Storytelling with Dena Atlantic - Link 

March 11: Acclaimed storyteller Dena Atlantic will perform interactive narratives inspired by the 
Fowler Museum’s “Axé Bahia” exhibition. Families and children of all ages are invited to the 
galleries to drop in, join in, and discover Brazil’s cultural heritage through colorful modern and 
contemporary works on display. 

Farhang Foundation’s 9th Annual Celebration of Nowruz - Link 

March 12: This celebration of the Iranian New Year has moved to the UCLA campus. The 
festivities will feature the traditional Haft Sin display, the annual Iranian Costume Parade (3 p.m.) 
and a variety of children activities. This family-friendly event also presents performances by 
Mohsen Namjoo and his Ensemble (Royce Hall), Ziba Shirazi, Daneshvar Children’s Choir, 
Djanbazian Dance Company (Dickson Court). 
 

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Hermosa Beach Saint Patrick’s Day Parade - Link 

March 17: Bagpipers from the Emerald Society, floats, horses, and canine members of Southern 
California’s Irish Setters Club will help bring a bit of Ireland to Hermosa Beach. The parade, which 
also includes marching bands, civic organizations and local business, will turn seven blocks of 
Pier Ave. into a sea of green. For over twenty years, this popular annual event has been attracting 
thousands of spectators and participants to Hermosa Beach. 
 

Pop-Up Studio: Junior Oral Historians - Link 

March 25: Join artist Fiona Connor, who is part of the “Stories of Almost Everyone” exhibit at the 
Hammer Museum, in telling the untold story of an object from your own life. Record your story in 
a mini sound studio and add it to the first-ever Hammer Kids Oral History Archive. 

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Celebrates César Chávez Day - Link 

March 25: Hosted from 1 to 4 p.m., the celebration features interactive and hands-on workshops, 
Xipe Totec Aztec Dance Group, The César Chávez Foundation, Tierra Blanca Dance Company 
and Group Fenix. All the activities will celebrate the life of the inspirational labor leader and help 
teach others about the importance of labor, land and civil rights for all. The best part? This event 
is free and open for all ages. 
 

Thank you for reading! 

Have anything to add, suggest, correct, or change? 

Please email skoff@wnsk8.com or mearly@wnsk8.com to suggest any resources, comments or 

corrections to this live document! 
 

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