• Cultural Calendar
February is Black History Month

 

February is Black History Month, when we honor and recognize the vital and impactful achievements of African Americans and their central role in U.S. history.

The idea for Black History Month was originally the brainchild of historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926, who (along with the members of the Association now known as the study of African American Life and History) created a Negro History week in February of that year to honor both the abolitionist Frederick Douglass, as well as U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. As the decades passed, the week continued to be celebrated in increasing numbers, and was amplified by the Civil Rights Movement to become Black History Month in 1976.
 
Nearly 50 years later, Black History Month is an important opportunity for us as an Antiracist and inclusive organization to share and promote the histories, stories, and voices of the Black community so that they are honored, amplified, and uplifted as they deserve to be. As we do so, it is important that we continue to commit ourselves to working collectively to promote both the past accomplishments of African American and Black people, while we also positively impact racial equity in education going forward.

With this in mind, please make sure to review, use, and share the Black History resources curated for you on WeArePSESD. And as educators, please keep in mind that while it is easy and all too common to focus on slavery, segregation and other forms of oppression during Black History Month, the celebration of the Black experience should include this historical trauma yet also go beyond it, to further encompass the areas of science, literature, art, music, business, politics, and more in which Black Americans have had such impact, in order to truly represent the scope of their accomplishments.
 
This February, let us celebrate those accomplishments while ensuring our focus on the ongoing integration of Black history and experiences throughout all curriculum. It has never been more important that we, as educators, continue to uplift every student and reinforce the vital place of Black history — not just this month, but every day of the year.

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Colleague AI Event 2025

Colleague AI is an innovative educational platform featuring AI assistants that serve as knowledgeable colleagues for educators and friendly learning companions for students. Our purpose is to create dynamic, collaborative, and personalized educational experiences for everyone, so check out Puget Sound ESD’s upcoming Colleague AI professional learning opportunities!

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AI Innovation Summit Takes Place February 3–5, 2025

Explore the power of artificial intelligence in K-12 education! Whether you’re new to AI or already implementing it, the AI Innovation Summit Feb 3-5 offers the opportunity to come together to gain knowledge and explore strategies. ESD 121’s EdTech Coordinator, Trinh Pham, is presenting multiple sessions at the AI Innovation Summit on February 3–5, 2025.

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Recognizing Our School Boards in January!

As ordinary people who come from all walks of life, School Board members work on a volunteer basis to both support students and represent their communities when it comes to public education. Each school board brings together a group of members working together with the common goal of helping students to learn, grow, and overcome the challenges as well as the triumphs of their educational journeys. Our school board members often face many complex and demanding challenges, especially across the past few years as they supported our educators and students in meeting the hurdles of COVID and lockdown. January is School Board Recognition Month, which gives us the opportunity to thank and recognize their efforts.

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Puget Sound Educational Service District Receives $1.75 Million Grant to Advance Educator Diversity and Equity Across Puget Sound  

PSESD, in partnership with a diverse coalition of school districts, higher education institutions, and community organizations, has been awarded a transformative $1.75 million grant from College Spark Washington to focus on increasing educator diversity and promote racial equity in Washington's educational landscape. 

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National School Lunch Week Celebrates the Difference a Simple Lunch Can Make

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) serves nearly 30 million children every school day, providing the essential basic nutrition that contributes to student success and teacher support. President John F. Kennedy created National School Lunch Week (NSLW) in 1962 to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life, as well as the impact a simple school lunch can have both inside and outside the classroom.

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