Arlington Education Foundation (AEF) is pleased to award $7.5K for a Development and Expansion grant to Arlington Public Schools for a special discussion with APS faculty and Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria, following a community event for Arlington Reads Together (ART).
During this unique collaboration with the Robbins Library and Arlington Public Schools, Dr. Tatum will use excerpts from her bestselling book to give specific examples of how staff can adjust their language in the classroom and facilitate discussions about race. This engaging event is part of Arlington Public School’s commitment for all staff to participate in anti-racism training.
“Dr. Tatum’s research on how students develop their racial identity is integral to understanding how to create an anti-racist learning environment for all of our students. It also provides us a foundation for having a community conversation about the many forms of racism that still plague our society.”
~ Kathleen Bodie, Superintendent of Schools
AEF joins longtime ART sponsors the Arlington Libraries Foundation and the Friends of the Robbins Library in sponsoring the 2021 program. Assistant Director of Libraries Anna Litten says, “We’re thrilled AEF is partnering with the library to support this year’s community read. The AEF mission to ‘support and advance public education in Arlington’ ties in so well to the book. ” Julia Schilling, co-president of AEF, adds “Arlington Education Foundation is incredibly proud to support ART 2021, particularly as this year’s book choice relates to student experiences in a racially mixed school district and encourages honest, sensitive dialogue about racial and ethnic identities.”
