Hey IS Community,
Integrated Schools is excited to announce that we are evolving! We are continuing to grow as a movement to desegregate schools, integrate our families, and work towards a vision of a true multiracial democracy.
We are announcing today the creation of the Integrated Schools Network. In truth, it’s not as much a new creation as much as a formalization of what has already existed–we are a network of folks who are working to align our antiracist values with our actions and behaviors. Our vision for our network is that it is composed of people who have chosen to affiliate themselves with, and publicly identify themselves as a part of, Integrated Schools. That includes people who have already done this, and new folks we have yet to meet!
Before today’s announcement, our network consisted solely of chapters. Chapters are clusters of parents and caregivers talking about school integration that are often organizing around local education issues. They gather together on a regular basis. Chapters are an important and vital part of the work of Integrated Schools and will continue to be so.
We have been feeling for some time that we needed to make space for folks who aren’t quite ready or interested in being a Chapter Leader but are practicing antiracist school integration, want to be affiliated with Integrated Schools and be a part of our work. We also have a continual need for volunteers who are willing to have one-on-one conversations to share their stories, as this is a powerful entry point for many caregivers new to this work and our ideas.
In communities without an IS chapter, folks wanting to get involved without leading a chapter have limited touch points with our organization. In order to address these issues today we are also announcing the creation of a new role within IS, “Network Contacts”. An IS Network Contact is an individual who is in an area without an IS chapter, is IS-mission aligned, and willing to connect with folks in their community who may have questions about school integration or Integrated Schools.
IS recognizes the power of 1:1 conversations and speaking about your experiences from a place of authenticity is a critical piece to growing the school integration movement. Network contacts are people who have chosen integration for their families and identify with Integrated Schools’ values and are ready to meet and be in conversation with people in their geographical area, spreading the word about the movement of Integrated Schools.
To that end, if…
- Your child has spent at least one year at an integrating school*
- You consider yourself aligned with the values of Integrated Schools (you resist resource hoarding, you approach school humbly, with a “we” vs “I” mentality, etc)
- You are willing to talk with other parents/caregivers in your area about racism, the impact of our individual choices, schools etc.
- You want to deepen your connection with IS but don’t have the desire or bandwidth to organize a chapter in your community.
WE WANT TO MEET YOU!
WHAT is required
- Maintain connection with Integrated Schools.
- Keep up with IS news/events
- Answer emails and schedule phone calls/meet ups with local parents who want to talk about Integrated Schools, your decision to choose an integrating school, and anything school integration-related.
- Attend one IS Network meeting per year
- Sharing the message of Integrated Schools
- Not having all the answers!
OPTIONAL
- Participate in IS staff collective work (communications, podcast, writing team, fundraising)
- Participate in quarterly chapter leader meetings if you’re interested in becoming a chapter leader at some point.
INTERESTED in hearing more? Please email network@integratedschools.org.
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