As schools resume in person, the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, in partnership with the DOE, City Commission on Human Rights and DYCD, is launching a campaign to promote respect, kindness and civility with a Back2School CommUNITY Pledge, a movement for NYC’s students, teachers, friends and families to send a clear message: hate has no home in NYC and our kids are going to lead a future of love, friendship and respect.
For the Back 2 School CommUnity Pledge Week, September 20-24, and the remaining part of the year, we ask you join us in taking the Pledge to Celebrate Community and participate in the below activities. Take the pledge and spread the word, please feel free to use our Social Media Toolkit. Please have families fill out the Media Consent Form for DOE use at the beginning of the school year and keep it on file. The form will also be available in the New York City Schools Account Parent Portal after September 21, 2021; where parents with NYCSA access will be able to sign and submit the form electronically.
I pledge to:
- Stand up against hate and bullying
- Speak out when I hear mean or hurtful “jokes”
- Learn about and get to know diverse people
- Respect and be kind to others
- Do my part to support and celebrate our CommUNITY
Professional Development Opportunities
Asian American Education Project
Free Professional Development Workshops for Educators with CTLE credits: The Asian American Education Project will be showcasing our curriculum on the Asian American Pacific Islander (“AAPI”) experience; divided into themes, participants will:
- Learn more about some of the content of each thematic unit
- Learn how to navigate our website
- Be able to apply our curriculum into their teaching practice
- Why AAPI Curriculum Matters: Bridging History and Anti-Asian Hate registration for 9/20/21@1:00-2:30PM
- Why AAPI Curriculum Matters: Bridging History and Anti-Asian Hate registration for 10/4/21 @1:30-3:00PM
- Why AAPI Curriculum Matters: Bridging History and Anti-Asian Hate registration for 10/18/21@1:00-2:30PM
History UnErased
FREE with CTLEs and Open to All NYCDOE Educators on Integrating and/or Supporting LGBTQ-inclusive Curriculum (NYCDOE calendar page)
- Funded by the NYC Council Committee on Education
- Attend History UnErased's virtual professional learning and receive 60+ digital LGBTQ-inclusive, intersectional instructional resources from their Intersections and Connections primary source-based curriculum and access to unique monthly programming to integrate and/or support LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. These training options are meeting the unique needs of NYCDOE elementary educators, secondary educators, and school and district leaders. Learn about History UnErased's curriculum online.
- Elementary Educators: Monday, September 20 from 12:00 - 2:30 p.m.
- School and District Leaders: Tuesday, September 21 from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
- Secondary Educators: Wednesday, September 22 from 12:00 - 2:30 p.m.
- Diversifying Classroom and/or School Libraries: Friday, September 24 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Elementary Educators: Monday, September 20 from 2:45-4:00 p.m.
Informational Session for Parents and the Community on LGBTQ-inclusive History
- Funded by the NYC Council Committee on Education
- Attend History UnErased's virtual introduction to developmentally appropriate LGBTQ-inclusive history and academic content for K-12 classrooms from their Intersections and Connections primary source-based curriculum and its alignment with NYCDOE and NYS policies for culturally responsive curriculum, classrooms, and schools. Learn about History UnErased's curriculum online.
- NYCDOE Parents and the Community: Thursday, September 23 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Bystander Intervention to Stop Anti-Asian/American Harassment and Xenophobia Workshop
The one-hour, interactive training will teach you Hollaback!’s 5D’s of bystander intervention methodology. We’ll start by talking about the types of disrespect that Asian and Asian American folks are facing right now — from microaggressions to violence — using a tool we call the “spectrum of disrespect.” You’ll learn what to look for and the positive impact that bystander intervention has on individuals and communities. We’ll talk through five strategies for intervention: distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct; and how to prioritize your own safety while intervening. We’ll have time at the end for practice, and you’ll leave feeling more confident intervening the next time you see Anti-Asian/American harassment online or in person.
For general information: holla@ihollaback.org
Training dates and times:
- Wednesday, September 8, 2021. 11AM ET/ 10:00AM CT/ 9:00AM MT/ 8:00AM PT/ 5:00AM HST.
- Thursday, September 16, 2021. 5:00PM ET/ 4:00PM CT/ 3:00PM MT/ 2:00PM PT/ 11:00AM HST.
- Monday, September 27, 2021. 1:00PM ET/ 12:00PM CT/ 11:00AM MT/ 10:00AM PT/ 7:00AM HST.
Bystander Intervention to Stop LGBTQIA+ Harassment
The Bystander Intervention to Stop LGBTQIA+ Harassment workshop is on September 14th, @ 2pm (EST), Tuesday, September 14th 2021. 2:00PM ET/ 1:00PM CT/ 12:00PM MT/ 11:00AM PT/ 8:00AM HST.
Stand Up Against Street Harassment
The Stand Up Against Street Harassment workshop is on September 29th, @ 4pm (EST), Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 4:00PM ET/ 3:00PM CT/ 2:00PM MT/ 1:00PM PT/ 10:00AM HST.
New York City Commission on Human Rights Workshops and Trainings
The Commission works with organizations to provide free workshops to educate staff and community members about their rights and obligations under the law. Offerings include professional development trainings on the New York City Human Rights Law and protections based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, disability, creed, and other categories. To request a workshop for your school community, please fill out our Workshop Request Form.
Be Loud, Be Proud
Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation
This program is a three-part series for youth to create a space for dialogue and action amongst Gender and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) students in schools regarding discrimination, harassment, and bullying as experienced by LGBTQI youth. Students discuss their experiences with discrimination through the lens of gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. It also provides youth with information and resources to support safer and welcoming school learning environments and using the Commission as a resource.
Students for Human Rights
This one-hour workshop informs students about the City’s Human Rights Law and protections against discrimination, harassment and bullying in relation to the protected classes under the law. Resources to combat discrimination, harassment and bullying are provided.
No Hate, No Fear: Understanding Muslim Experiences and Combating Anti-Muslim Bias
This program promotes understanding of the City’s diverse faith communities. The workshop addresses what is referred to as anti-Muslim racism, introduces Muslim beliefs and practices, outlines best practices in working with Muslim New Yorkers, and elaborates on the protections under the City Human Rights Law against discrimination based on religion.
Resisting Oppression and Racism (R.O.A.R)
Human Rights Law and Protections Against Discrimination Based on Race and Color This program series provides a historical context for race and color-based discrimination and how it has impacted the lives of New Yorkers, institutions, and the delivery of services and resources in New York City. The three-session program educates students on their rights and protections against discrimination under the Human Rights Law. Students analyze concepts related to race and color, learn about efforts and resistance to combat racism, and find ways to become the voices for social and racial justice.
Working Toward Healing Circles
As a result of the collective experience of COVID-19 related trauma and hate, the New York City Commission on Human Rights is striving to create spaces for healing by hosting Working Towards Healing Circles for New Yorkers to commune. The New York City Commission on Human Rights in partnership with New York Peace Institute is offering free “Talking Circles” facilitated by experienced restorative justice practitioners to help people find connection and support during challenging times. A Talking Circle creates a structure for people with common interests to share their concerns, solutions, and resources, while building strength and community. To request a circle for your organization and for more information, please email youth@cchr.nyc.gov
Bystander Intervention Training
Bystander intervention is built on the idea that we all play a role in creating safe public spaces for each other when we see our neighbors and community members facing bias, discrimination, or harassment. The NYC Commission on Human Rights and community partners regularly co-host bystander intervention trainings to provide New Yorkers with the tools and strategies to safely respond when they witness bias incidents and discrimination. Participants leave these trainings equipped with verbal and behavioral de-escalation strategies to non-violently intervene to disrupt hate-violence or hate speech. The trainings explore the meaning of safety, of being an effective ally, and how identity plays a role in the ways we choose to intervene. In response to the unprecedented climate of anti-Asian bias, discrimination, and harassment connected to COVID-19 stigma, since March 2020, the Commission has regularly hosted intervention trainings for adults and youth. To request a workshop for your school community, please fill out our Workshop Request Form.
Youth for Equity and Solidarity Initiative
The NYC Commission on Human Rights is committed to investing in the leadership of young people who are at the forefront of positive change. The Community Relations Bureau has worked to empower young leaders in schools, community organizations, and after school programs. Through these efforts, we partner with young people to identify human rights issues in their communities, develop solutions, and build their leadership skills. To request the workshops and programs below, please contact youth@cchr.nyc.gov
Preventing Hate Together
The Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC) has developed Preventing Hate Together, a presentation on the landscape of hate crimes and how NYC takes a comprehensive approach to address them. If you are interested in scheduling a workshop, email OPHCEducation@cityhall.nyc.gov.
Respect for All, Building Respect
RFA Conversation Skills (Kognito online training): Sign-in and learn how all school based staff (teachers, counselors, paraprofessionals, RFA liaisons, etc.) should respond to bullying incidents. Practice effective conversation techniques to address biased language in the classroom, reach out when you suspect signs of bullying, and reinforce staff responsibilities in reporting bullying behavior.
3GNY'S Educational Initiative
3GNY'S Educational Initiative brings Holocaust lessons to life with guest speakers’ personal testimony; grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, trained to compellingly share their family stories with students. These personal and engaging presentations help promote understanding and educate diverse audiences about the perils of intolerance. Guest speakers will visit your middle and high school classrooms - in-person or virtually. 3GNY's (“3G”s - third-generation descendants of Holocaust survivors) guest speakers, available at no cost to schools through WEDU (WeEducate) program. Contact them today to book your presentation for the 2021-22 school year.
Project Witness
Project witness offers resources for Holocaust education including in-person programs with survivors.
Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
The Museum offers several opportunities throughout the year for active classroom teachers and is an approved Sponsor of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) by the New York State Education Department. To view upcoming programs, visit our Events calendar and sort by “Teacher Professional Development”. Professional development programs on September 30, October 4, and October 13. You can also use the Museum of Jewish Heritage Holocaust Curriculum, which is a set of 10+ lesson plans designed to be implemented in a range of grades and across subject areas.
Beyond Differences’ Innovative Educator Cohort 2021-2022
Beyond Differences’ mission is to inspire students nationwide to end social isolation and create cultures of belonging for everyone. We envision a world where all youth are accepted, valued, and included no matter their differences. Beyond Differences is a student-led social justice movement empowering students to become activists and change the culture of schools. We provide schools with Social Emotional Learning tools to help tackle loneliness and foster a sense of community and complementary professional development for educators.
Join Beyond Differences to kick off the 2021-2022 Cohort with an introductory session on September 27, 2:30PM - 4PM (Eastern Time), with 1.5 CTLE credit.
All NYCDOE Grade 5-8 Educators, Counselors, Administrators, and Supporting Staff are welcomed to attend and participate!
We will spend the hour exploring activities that foster student belonging and practical SEL strategies for affirmation, connection & reflection. Then we will take 30 minutes to learn more about Beyond Differences year-round 2021-2022 cohort opportunity and answer any questions you have.