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America is for Everyone

In the United States, the statewide laws and the federal laws don't always perfectly align. In recent times, we have seen controversial legislation passed in states across the country that seems contrary to federal statutes. Additionally, there has been discussion about federal changes to longstanding legislation. These topics undoubtedly come up in our school communities, and the Office of Human Relations, Diversity & Equity is happy to provide resources to support stakeholders in navigating these topics.

Supreme Court: Roe vs. Wade

Here's what could happen if Roe v. Wade is overturned - NPR

America's Abortion Quandry - PEW Research Center

Parents have tough discussion with children about Roe V. Wade - News12 Bronx

A Brief Lesson on Roe v. Wade - The Washington Post

Lesson of the Day: ‘What Would the End of Roe Mean? Key Questions and Answers.’ - The New York Times

Lesson Plan: Landmark Supreme Court Case: Roe v Wade

Why I Decided to Talk About My Abortion With My Kids - ScaryMommy

‘Brown v. Board’ Cited in Draft Supreme Court Opinion to Back Overturning Abortion Rights

A Classroom Discussion About the Media, Trust and Knowledge - Learning for Justice

The Danger of the Story of “Both Sides” - Learning for Justice

Anti-LGBT Legislation across the Country

Safer Schools for Trans Students and Colleagues - Learning for Justice

What Students Are Saying About Anti-L.G.B.T.Q. Legislation, Multilingualism and Nature’s Wonders - The New York Times

If they 'say gay,' will my child be safe? Parents of LGBTQ kids are scared of copycat laws - USA Today

What’s Driving the Push to Restrict Schools on LGBTQ Issues? - EdWeek

From book bans to 'Don’t Say Gay' bill, LGBTQ kids feel 'erased' in the classroom - NBC

Lawmakers in 19 States Want Legal Refuge for Transgender Youth - EdWeek

LGBTQ+ parents fear their children will have to hide their families at school under Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill - PBS

Transgender Youth Are Under Attack in the War on Science - EdWeek

Not just Florida. More than a dozen states propose so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bills - NPR

Beyond ‘Don’t Say Gay': Other States Seek to Limit LGBTQ Youth, Teaching - EdWeek

Majority of Adults Say They'd be Comfortable if Their Child Was LGBTQ - Healthline

Legislative Tracker: All Anti-LGBTQ Bills - Freedom for All Americans

Please continue to review and utilize the additional resources below to support conversations with colleagues, students and school stakeholders about the challenging political climate we have all experienced.

Good teaching includes helping students process their thoughts and feelings about the world and creating space for them to bring their full selves to school. This document, Courageous Conversations with Students, provides tools, lesson plans, and practical advice for facilitating dialogues with students about power, privilege, oppression, and resistance. They were adapted by the Office of Human Relations, Diversity & Equity. Click here to view this resource.

Additional Civics Resources

Critical Race Theory

The United States of America has experienced a lot of turmoil over the past year. Recently, the battle over Critical Race Theory in K-12 education has played out all over the media. The Office of Human Relations, Diversity & Equity is proud to provide resources to help distinguish between Critical Race Theory, and incorporating the topics of race or racism into education.

Critical Race Theory & Racism in K-12 Education - Advisory Lesson

Critical Race Theory FAQ - California School Boards Association
I'm a Mental health Support Staff, how can I talk to students about what's going on in our country?

We acknolwedge that this season can be heavy and feel overwhelming for all, including our staff. If you or one of your colleagues need addtiional support at this time please review the district's EAP and the array of resources available.

Article: Helping Kids Understand the Riots at the Capitol - Child Mind Institute

Article & Tips: Resources for Teachers on the Days After the Attack on the U.S. Capitol - Beyond the Stoplight

Article: We Can't Gaslight Students About the Capitol Riot. We Can Use it as a Teaching Tool - Chalkbeat

Talking Tips: Talking to Children about Violence - National Association of School Psychologists

Article & Tips: When Bad Things are Happening - Teaching Tolerance

Article, Tips & Resources: Leading Conversations After Crisis - Teaching Tolerance

Article & Tips: To Sustain the Tough Conversations, Active Listening Must Be the Norm - Teaching Tolerance

Practitioner Tips & Resources: Schools Responding to the Violence at the US Capitol - Center for MH in Schools & Student/Learning Supports at UCLA

Articles & Essays: How to Support Your Students After a Traumatic News Day - Ed Week

Article & Tips: Talking to Kids About the Violence at the U.S. Capitol - Common Sense Media

TipSheet: Supporting Students after the U.S. Capitol Attack - National Child Traumatic Stress Network

TipSheet: Coping after Mass Violence - National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Fact Sheet: Pause-Reset-Nourish to Promote Wellbeing - National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Resource: Mob Violence, Human Behavior and the Capitol Insurrection - Facing History & Ourselves
Advisory Lessons

Guided PPT Lessons for the Classroom

Teachers, below please find brief lessons prepared for you to utilize in your classrom in the days leading up to and following the election. Please note, these lessons may serve as a starting place for educators who wish to adapt them for their unique student populations.

*Please note, in order for embeded media to work in these lessons, be sure to click "Enable Editing" and "Enable Content." If you have any challenges with these lessons please reach out to us here. Furthermore, at the very bottom of this section you can find ALL of the Advisory Lessons as Sharepoint Links that you can use from your web browser if you'd rather not download the file.

What Happened on January 6th? - A review of the events leading up to, and the crisis at the Capitol. This lesson provides students with a space to reflect and better understand the events leading up to that day.

What is Domestic Terrorism? - This lesson serves as a guide for understanding the both the history of domestic terrorism as well as the role domestic terrorism played on the crisis at the U.S. Capitol.

What is QAnon?  - This lesson serves as a guide for understanding the power of conspiracy theores as well as the role QAnon may have played in the crisis at the U.S. Capitol.

What is Impeachment? - This lesson will explore the process of impeachment as well as the current events surrounding the House impeachment proceedings.

Let's Talk About the Inauguration - This lesson will explore the history of the Inauguration and invite students to reflect on the many reasons why this years Inauguration will be a historic one.

Stories of Excellence: Amanda Gorman - This lesson will introduce students to the National Poet Laureate while encouraging them to reflect on overcoming challenges and dreaming of accomplishing their goals.

Responding to the Crisis at the Capitol and Supporting Student Reactions

I Disagree! - Strategies for disagreeing with others.

Let's Talk About Feelings - An opportunity to normalize feelings, especially intense ones, for students and teachers.

Asking for Help - Learning how to ask for help when things are overwhelming.

Civics Lessons to Educate and Empower Students

Stories of Excellence - Stacey Abrams

Stories of Excellence - Kamala Harris

Are You Being Recruited?

What is a Political Party?

Three Branches of Government

What is the Electoral College?

How Campaigns Influence People

Additional Lessons

Privilege 101

Xeno What?

SHAREPOINT Links

Are You Being Recruited?

Asking for Help

Domestic Terrorism

Let's Talk About Feelings!

Privilege 101

I Disagree!

Let's Talk About the Inauguration

Stories of Excellence - Amanda Gorman

Stories of Excellence - Kamala Harris

Stories of Excellence - Stacey Abrams

Three Branches of Government

What Happened on January 6th?

What is a Politcal Party?

What is a Violent Extremist Organization?

Xeno What?

What is QAnon?

What is Impeachment?
Maintaining Relationships Across Political Lines

This can be a challenging time to try to maintain relationships with people whose politics differ from our own. Here are some resources to try to salvage relationships during this polarizing time.

Check out this video to help understand the psychology behind why people lean towards particular political parties.

Article and Tips: Maintining Relationships Amid Election 2020

Article and Tips: Conversations Across Differences

Webinar Recording: How to Maintain Healthy Relationships During Election Season
I'm an educator. How do I talk to my students about what has been happening in our country?

We acknolwedge that this season can be heavy and feel overwhelming for all, including our staff. If you or one of your colleagues need addtiional support at this time please review the district's EAP and the array of resources available.

2021 Political Event Resources

Article & Tips: When Bad Things are Happening - Learning for Justice

Discussing Congressional Investigations of January 6 - Learning for Justice

Article & Tips: Resources for Teachers on the Days After the Attack on the U.S. Capitol - Beyond the Stoplight

Article: We Can't Gaslight Students About the Capitol Riot. We Can Use it as a Teaching Tool - Chalkbeat

Article, Tips & Resources: Leading Conversations After Crisis - Learning for Justice

Article & Tips: To Sustain the Tough Conversations, Active Listening Must Be the Norm - Learning for Justice

Articles & Essays: How to Support Your Students After a Traumatic News Day - Ed Week

Article: Insurgency at the U.S. Capitol: A Dreaded, Real Life Lesson Facing Teachers - Ed Week

Article: California Educators Condemn and Reflect on Capitol Attack - EdSource

Article & Talking Tips: American Insurrection: How to Talk to Your Kids About the Chaos at the Capitol - National Geographic

Article & Tip Sheet: Talking to Kids About the Attack on the Capitol - NEA News

Article, Resources & Lesson Plans: How to Teach the U.S. Capitol Attack: Dozens of Resources to Get You Started - Ed Week

Teaching Tips & Strategies: Responding to the Insurrection at the US Capitol - Facing History

Teaching Tips & Resources: Schools Responding to the Violence at the US Capitol - Center for MH in Schools & Student/Learning Supports at UCLA

Resources: Teaching about Race, Racism and Police Violence - Learning for Justice

Lesson Plans & Resources: Foundations of Democracy & Government - Share My Lesson/AFT

Lesson Plan & Activities: Three Ways to Teach the Insurrection at the US Capitol - PBS

Lesson Plan Booster (9-12): History of the Coup - Education World

Lesson Plan: The 25th Amendment: Presidential Disability and Succession - C-SPAN

Webinars: Let's Talk! Facilitating Critical Conversations with Stuents - Learning for Justice

Fact Sheet: Pause-Reset-Nourish to Promote Wellbeing - National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Fact Sheet: helping Youth After Community Trauma - National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Interview and Video: Poet Amanda Gorman on how she prepared for Inauguration Day - PBS SoCal

Resource: Mob Violence, Human Behavior and the Capitol Insurrection - Facing History & Ourselves

2020 Political Event Resources

Click here for Election 2020 Tips for Eductors

Restorative Practices Circle Activity - LAUSD PBIS/RP

Lesson Plans and Articles: A Historic Election - Learning for Justice

Lesson Plan: The 2020 Presidential Election - What Can We Learn from Victory Speeches? - ADL

Lesson Plans, Strategies and Resources for before and after the 2002 Election - Harvard Graduate School of Education

Lesson Plans, Strategies and Resources for before and after the 2020 Election - Facing History

Teaching Strategies and Lesson Plans: Post-election Support for Difficult Conversations - Facing History

Lesson Plan: Repairing the Fabric of Democracy - PBS Learning Media

Lesson Plans: 2020 Election Lesson Plans for Elementary & Secondary - Learning for Justice

Lesson Plan: Fake News and What We Can Do About It - ADL

Lesson Plan: First Amendment and Our Freedoms - ADL

Lesson Plan: How Do Polls Inform, Influence and Impact Elections - ADL

Teaching Strategies: Turning Current Events Instruction Into Social Justice Teaching - Edutopia

Teaching Strategies: Lets Talk Politics Bias Dialogue and Critical Thinking -ADL

Teaching Strategies: Managing Hot Moments in the Classroom - Center for Teaching & Learning, Harvard University

Teacher Strategies: Helping Students Make Sense of News Stories About Bias and Injustice - ADL

Teaching Strategies: What Next? How to Move Forward Together After a Divisive Election - Facing History

Teaching Strategies: Using the Election as a Teaching Tool - Edutopia

Critical Self-Care Tips: Managing Political Stress in 2020 - UCSF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Self Care on Election Night - CNN

Article & Tips: How to Talk to Children about Difficult News - American Psychological Association

Article & Tips: Talking to Kids About the Election - National Geographic

Article: At the Extremes: 2020 election and American Extremism - ADL

Article: Fighting Fake News in the Classroom - EdSurge

Article: Coping with Intense Emotions around the 2020 Presidential Election - The Trevor Project

Guidebook: 5 Habits to Heal the Heart of Democracy

College Athletes Rock the Vote

Privilege 101

Xeno What?
I'm a caregiver. How do I talk to my children about what has been happening in our country?

You are your child’s role model. Visit these resources for having productive age-appropriate conversations about bias, prejudice, violence and current events.

2021 Political Event Resources

Article: Helping Kids Understand the Riots at the Capitol - Child Mind Institute

Article & Talking Tips: American Insurrection: How to Talk to Your Kids About the Chaos at the Capitol - National Geographic

Article & Talking Tips: What is the Electoral College and Why is it Controversial - ADL

Article & Tip Sheet: Talking to Kids About the Attack on the Capitol - NEA News

Article & Tips: How to Talk to Kids about Difficult Subjects - Common Sense Media

Article & Tips: Talking to Kids About the Violence at the U.S. Capitol - Common Sense Media

Talking Tips: Talking to Children about Violence - National Association of School Psychologists

Tips for Parents: Supporting Vulnerable Students in Stressful Times - National Association of School Psychologists

TipSheet: Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After Mass Violence - National Child Traumatic Stress Network

TipSheet: Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief - National Child Traumatic Stress Network

TipSheet: Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief - National Child Traumatic Stress Network

TipSheet: Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief - National Child Traumatic Stress Network

TipSheet: The Power of Parenting - National Child Traumatic Stress Network

November 3, 2020 - Biden or Trump - the 46th president

Self Care on Election Night - CNN

Tips for Caregivers: Talking to Children About the Election - American Psychological Association

Tips for Caregivers: Talking to Kids About the Election - National Geographic

Tools & Strategies for Caregivers: Table Talk -Family Conversations About Current Events - ADL

Parents Guide: Beyond the Golden Rule; Preventing and Responding to Prejudice - Teaching Tolerance
Discussion Guide: How Do I Respond to My Child's Bias? - ADL

Discussion Tips: Empowering Youth in the Aftermath of Hate - ADL

Discussion Tips: Do's and Don'ts of Talking to Kids of Color About White Supremacy - COLORLINES
Discussion Tips: Discussing Hate - ADL & National PTA

Discussion Tips: Family Conversations About Election Polls - ADL

Article: Talking to teens about online hate - NPR

Article: How to Talk to Children About Difficult News - American Psychological Association

Article: How to Talk to Your Kids About Immigration and Family Separation at the Border - Romper

Article: But What About Antifa? - Teaching Tolerance

Article: Coping with Intense Emotions around the 2020 Presidential Election - The Trevor Project

En Español:

Consejos de discusión: Empoderar a los niños y jóvenes tras un evento de odio - ADL

Consejos de discusión: Hablar de Odio - ADL & National PTA
I'm an administrator. How can I help support my school community around the election?

Administrators often feel like the weight of the world is on their shoulders. Let us help lighten the load. Here are some great resources to support you, in supporting your school community.

We acknolwedge that this season can be heavy and feel overwhelming for all, including our staff. If you or one of your colleagues need addtiional support at this time please review the district's EAP and the array of resources available.

Additional Resources

Restorative Practices Circle Activity - LAUSD PBIS/RP

Safe School Guidelines: 11 Ways Schools Can Help Students Feel Safe in Challenging Times - ADL

LAUSD Bulletin: BUL-2047_1 - Hate Motivated Incidents and Crimes

LAUSD Bulletin: BUL-6320_0 - Disturbances Demos on Near Campus

LAUSD Guidelines for Elementary & Secondary Schools - Engaging Students in Peaceful Dialogues about Conflict and Bias - LAUSD School Operations

Campaigns for Schools: Not In Our Schools

Guidlines: Students' Right of Free Expression

Guidelines for Students Right of Free Expression

Guidebook: No Haters Here

Self Care on Election Night - CNN

School Staff Tips & Resources: Schools Responding to the Violence at the US Capitol - Center for MH in Schools & Student/Learning Supports at UCLA

Articles & Essays: How to Support Your Students After a Traumatic News Day - Ed Week

LAUSD Employee Code of Ethics - LAUSD Ethics Office

LAUSD Policy Bulletin: Bullying & Hazing Policy (BUL-5212.2) - LAUSD
I want to participate in social action. What information is out there?

Many people are talking about participating in social action during this incredible time in our nation's history. Please be sure to check out the recommendations from the Department of Public Health on public demonstrations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are some additional resources about your rights and ways to stay safe.

Scenario by Scenario Guide of Citizens Rights - ACLU

Multi-Lingual "Know Your Rights" Pocket Guides - National Lawyers Guild

Protesting Safely during the Pandemic - KQED

Students' Rights - ACLU

Student Expression - ACLU
Websites for Additional Resources
TedTalk Videos

SHHS TWITTER

Department Contact

Coordinator:

Judy Chiasson, Ph.D
Email: judy.chiasson@lausd.net
Office email: humanrelations@lausd.net
Phone: (213) 505-4744

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