After months of distance learning and just days before the school year ended, we learned the names and stories of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd; injustice and racism in our country were exposed yet again.
Social studies classes at Sophia Academy provide a forum for discussing, analyzing, and responding to current events; seventh and eighth graders in particular were raising questions, making connections, and expressing a desire to work for change. As protests and riots began to unfold, students were grappling with grief, anger, and confusion. They wanted to express themselves, and they wanted to act.
Undeterred by distance learning constraints, the faculty and staff mobilized quickly to organize a virtual Day of Action & Concern Against Racism for Friday, June 5. Social studies teacher Nilofar Syed invited seventh and eighth grade volunteers to co-author a statement on behalf of Sophia students. The entire student body wholeheartedly endorsed the statement, which provided a framework for the Day of Action.
Over the course of the day, students, faculty, and staff engaged in workshops designed to unite the community and provide space for the students to put their beliefs and experience into words. Along with Dean of Students, April Samuels, community organizer and educational consultant Rob T. Jones led a workshop exploring movements and activism, entitled "A Call to Action: What's in Your Toolbox?" Language Arts teacher Hillary Greene Nolan designed "Our Voice Our Words," empowering teams of students to collectively express their observations, emotions, and hopes. In "The Justice Garden," students joined art teacher Lynne DeBeer in painting stones with images, words, names, and messages; the stones will provide the basis for a new garden space on Sophia's campus.
In a powerful closing assembly at the end of the day, a fifth grade student read aloud to a captive audience the affirming, challenging, and inspiring statements emerging from the day. Their collective words were powerful as they captured the world around them and the changes they can lead.
Reflecting on the day, Director of Middle School Melissa Moniz said, "At Sophia, we believe it’s important to give our students a space where they can express themselves and listen to each other. We teach through a social justice lens so that they understand the world we live in. And, we hope to give them a sense of agency so that they can choose the issues and challenges that inspire them to learn and see themselves as changemakers. The Day of Action and Concern is just one example. At Sophia, we will continue to have these conversations as a community."
Our Voice, Our Words - Student Poetry from the day of Action
We feel sadness
We want everyone to be treated equal
We see people protesting for their rights
We see people being treated differently because of the color of their skin
We can be the change
We need to listen
We want people to understand that this is not a joke
We need to use our voices to make this world a better place
