A paper snowball fight broke the ice for a small group of middle school students attending the third annual “Power of We” workshop Oct. 4 at Kellam High School.
They were among approximately 200 VBCPS students, members of their schools’ TIDE coalitions, who gathered on a Saturday to focus on ways to promote inclusiveness and belonging in their schools.
TIDE stands for “Togetherness through Inclusion, Diversity and Equity.”
Donned in “You Matter” T-shirts, each read aloud a note on balled-up pieces of paper.
“I have seven cats and play baseball,” “I like spiders” and “I climbed the Eiffel Tower” were some of the descriptions students wrote about themselves, most of whom had never met.
They guessed who wrote what, solely based on appearance.
A discussion ensued about stereotypes and the importance of not making assumptions and judging people by their looks or background.
Office of Family and Community Engagement(FACE) family outreach representative Tina Garfield was one of the facilitators, along with Allayshia Pearson, a Tallwood High senior in the Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow program.
“We need open conversation,” Garfield said. “I was truly encouraged by how ready our middle school students were to engage in open and honest dialogue about inclusivity.”
Every VBCPS middle and high school was represented.
TIDE, an initiative of the Office of Opportunity and Achievement, is led by director Ty Harris.
“Student belonging is very important,” he said.
Three years ago, high school coalitions began meeting about once a month to brainstorm how to change school culture. Harris called them, “agents of change.”
This year middle schools joined the effort.
“You will learn tools and strategies to use as we establish TIDE in your schools,” Harris told them.
Superintendent Dr. Donald Robertson Jr. attended the event, as did School Board member Melinda Rogers.
“Your voice matters,” Robertson said. “We want to hear from you.”
The event was presented in partnership with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities(VCIC).
They encouraged students to take action when witnessing negative actions toward others and to actively support and advocate for those targeted by continued bullying, harassment or discrimination.
Consider ways to help students feel included, they advised, such as congratulating someone for doing well on an assignment or cheering up someone who had a bad day.
When asked the question, “Do you think your school is inclusive?” some students admitted they didn’t think so. They were encouraged to share their thoughts with each other.
They also talked about ways to help new students feel connected.
Serenity Fennell said she knows firsthand what that feels like. The Larkspur Middle School student said walking into a new school wasn’t easy.
“It was hard meeting people and trying to make new friends,” she said. Serenity suggested approaching new students and introducing yourself.
“Maybe give them compliments or ask about them about themselves,” she said.
Those gestures boosted her confidence, she said with a smile.
The seventh grader said she is ready to help others. “I have what it takes to help change my school.”
Her new friend, Aubrey McDaniel from Brandon Middle, said she hopes to implement several ideas to help her school be more inclusive.
“I’ve always liked making people feel better,” she said. “I think we need a bulletin board to put information for kids to find out about clubs.”
School counselor Shante Swindell, who accompanied the Larkspur Middle group, said students should be proud to be part of their school’s TIDE coalition.
Swindell said they are learning ways to help those who feel they don’t belong.
“They can change the environment and make a difference.”
