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Turning Dr. King’s Dream into Reality for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial

Observed on the third Monday in January each year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (also known as Civil Rights Day) takes place this year on Monday, January 20, and provides each of us with a chance to recommit to being a force for Antiracism in the world.

The work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. must remain a constant inspiration for each of us, and it is a rich opportunity to celebrate his life and legacy even as we support his dream of a better world.

Dr. King is known for his stirring "I Have a Dream" speech, yet nearly 60 years later, he is also recognized for so much more. He remains a towering figure—a great leader, humanitarian, and activist who celebrated equality, compassion, education, diversity, and service. His words are as inspiring today for us as educators as they were then, reminding us that “The function of education is to teach intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education."

On this day of remembrance of his life and work – as we celebrate and uplift Dr. King's vision of achieving a truly Antiracist and equal society, this holiday provides a chance for all of us at PSESD to reaffirm and uplift our own commitment to inclusivity, equality, and diversity–in our students, teachers, staff, and partners.

Committing to the fight against racism, and to engaging meaningfully on the subject of inclusivity and diversity, is a mission and message whose importance has never been more vital for each of us. Join us in spreading Dr. King’s legacy and messages of hope in your community as we do so in our classrooms, schools, and districts.

Learn more at https://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/king-day.

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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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