How Can I Help?
We love when we get asked this question.
R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF is a collective of parents, neighbors, alumni, and allies united to bring more Representation, Equity, Anti-Racism and Literary diversity into every corner of our schools' lessons, libraries and leaders.
We are here to work alongside our incredible teachers, administration and officials to bring courageous and culturally responsive change to our classrooms. Together, we are all here to raise the next generation of helpers.
The need for change is as R.E.A.L. as our pledge to make it happen, together.
Here are things each of us can do to help achieve these goals.
R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF is a collective of parents, neighbors, alumni, and allies united to bring more Representation, Equity, Anti-Racism and Literary diversity into every corner of our schools' lessons, libraries and leaders.
We are here to work alongside our incredible teachers, administration and officials to bring courageous and culturally responsive change to our classrooms. Together, we are all here to raise the next generation of helpers.
The need for change is as R.E.A.L. as our pledge to make it happen, together.
Here are things each of us can do to help achieve these goals.
Join R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF.
There is strength in numbers when the goal is positive change.
There is strength in numbers when the goal is positive change.
- Become a member, choose the team that is the best fit for you, and ask that Team Leader what the latest call to action is for your team:
- Libraries
- Lessons
- Leaders
- Overall
- Subscribe to the newsletter for the latest information about what is happening in our community, including BOE meetings, updates to our general Resources page and Educator Resources page, free virtual trainings and events and more
- Connect on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Threads) for updates on what is going on and how you can get involved in our community and beyond
- Chime in with your ideas and resources, take action when opportunity arises, volunteer at events and more
Speak up with your voice, letters, votes.
Be louder than those who try to get in the way of equity progress.
Be louder than those who try to get in the way of equity progress.
- Learn how the Board of Education functions, then attend and speak at Board of Education meetings
- Email the Board of Education if you cannot attend the meetings
- Read the school district newsletter, reply to it with any questions on its content, participate in any requests for engagement/opinions (surveys, polls, interview questions, focus groups, etc.)
- Attend and speak at PTA meetings
- Attend and speak at school district and individual school meetings, school district focus groups (like for Strategic Planning or curriculum discussions, or the "Coffee and Conversation" meet-ups with the Superintendent and BOE members), community/town meetings, etc.
- Ask questions of candidates whose positions directly affect the school district, like for Board of Education seat elections
- Make a habit of thoughtfully speaking up for positive progress, whether you are at school, online, at a BOE, PTA or other school district meeting, in front of our elected officials, within the community and beyond
- Vote in every election after learning as much as you can about each candidate's stance on, history of and commitment to positive progress and equity
- Keep an eye on what bills are being proposed/considered in New Jersey that affect the education of our children, contact your reps about them, and/or speak at a public hearing about the issues at hand if applicable
Be specific in your asks.
Along with your personal reasons why, link to policies, promises, problematic data and other resources in your requests for change, so there is no doubt that you have done your homework and require a full answer.
- Fact-check the information you have with reliable sources that are an unbiased as possible
- When you are ready to make a request, make sure you are asking it of the right person/group to do so
- Use clear language:
- "I want more LGBTQIA+ author visits. Who decides which authors visit my child's school, and how can I help improve the LGBTQIA+ representation in who is selected?"
- "How does SPF fulfill the Amistad Law requirements at each grade level?"
- "I don't see much progress on the Annual Strategic Plan Goals document regarding [a specific Strategic Plan item]. What has been done to address this issue?"
Keep learning.
The more we understand about the policies and systems in place, how they have worked, where the flaws are, and ways to improve on them, the more effective our efforts can be.
When we take the time to learn specific skills for how we, as individuals, can make a difference in our homes, schools, work environment, out in the public and online, we become much more effective helpers.
- Familiarize yourself with the policies in your school district that affect equity (like these)
- Familiarize yourself with the NJ Student Learning Standards
- If you are an educator, request professional development for yourself and the rest of the faculty that will increase your skills and tools under the DEI, SEL and anti-bias umbrellas
- Read widely for knowledge and pleasure, deliberately including a diverse representation of voices
- See lists of books to try here
- Remember that listening to audiobooks absolutely counts as reading
- Watch documentaries, webinars, etc. and listen to podcasts, music, etc. that are related to the subject you want to make positive change within
- Social Justice Matters regularly offers in-person and virtual learning experiences
- Take classes like bystander intervention training to know how to be more helpful when harmful scenarios arise in person or online
- The NJ Division of Civil Rights regularly offers free trainings
- The Right to Be organization offers a variety of targeted free trainings
Take action as a champion for equity.
Then use your position to work with others in order to advance positive progress.
Then use your position to work with others in order to advance positive progress.
- Run for office, like a seat on the Board of Education
- Join the PTA, then head up a Committee or run for PTA Council Board
- Volunteer for committees (like for the School Book Fair), activities and events, and make sure it is not only inclusive, but a safe space for all to attend/participate in
Share.
Every single one of us has something that can help positive change happen.
- Share your experiences that can encourage others to want to participate in positive progress, like effective professional development, whether through work or personal efforts (training, webinars, books, etc.)
- Share initiatives that you have participated in or donated to so others can do the same (like donating diverse books to our school district)
- Share your knowledge (with sources!) about an issue or to help with actions for positive progress
- Share facts when misinformation or misleading information is being posted on social media, discussed in person (bonus points if you can link to/show the fact-checked information from reliable, as unbiased as possible sources)
- Share the spotlight/your audience by putting other peoples' voices and helpful information in front of more eyes where it can make the most impact
- Share the good news when positive progress happens, celebrating those who helped make it happen and encouraging others to keep the momentum going
- Share your time when volunteers are wanted/needed to make events and other actions successful, so the work doesn't fall onto the shoulders of the same few people every time
Thank you for taking the time to see how you can be a part of R.E.A.L. change in the community. Our kids are counting on us.
Have an idea on how to help? Want to chat more about what we can do together? Contact us via the button below.
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