Faces and Families of

Jefferson Project
Culturally Responsive Practice:
Increasing Imaging of All Students in Schools by Celebrating Students and their Families
By Patty Dempsey

INSPIRATION FOR PROJECT:

Culturally Responsive Practices Workshop at 2014 PBIS
Leadership Conference
Andreal

Davis: School-Wide Cultural Imaging

Imaging

in a school is an important part of

celebrating a variety of cultures

Its

important for kids to see others that

look like them.

SUMMARY GOAL and TIMELINE FOR

PROJECT

GOAL: To is to validate and affirm the home culture and language of all of our
students by highlighting one grade per month with a wall of student/familymade projects that showcases each of the faces and families of the school.

Week 1: Introduce project to the students, teachers, and parents to build

collaboration, understanding, and support.

Week 2 and 3: Provide work time for students, begin to collect the
pictures/names needed to complete project, and continue communication
with teachers, students, and parents, as necessary.

Week 4: Take down current months display (from previous grade) to make
room for next months projects. Collect completed projects and put up on
wall for next months display.

DETAILED TIMELINE FOR PROJECT: Week 1

Introduce project with examples to students and send

home parent letter

Collaborate with teachers on when to schedule class work

times for project:

How many? How long?

Example) One or two 30-45 minute in-class work times, including one
guidance time.

How to set students up for success by providing some basic

materials?

Get names of potential student leaders that teachers elect

to help put up projects at beginning of month and take
down projects at end of month.

DETAILED TIMELINE FOR PROJECT: Week 2

Call selected parents (optional)

Purpose of conversation

A follow up to the letter to confirm they know about the project

Build bridge and inspire parents on what they can do as a family for this
project.

Who to call

Those who teachers have concern may not provide support for kids.

Parents of students who have a history of not completing assignments.

Take pictures of individual students and email to

professional to print.

para-

Facilitate work time in classroom guidance for this project

either week 2 or week 3, as determined by conversation with
teachers.

DETAILED TIMELINE FOR PROJECT: Week 3

Have

para-professional print pictures and names of

each student.

Cut

apart individual pictures and names

Staple

name to individual pictures (or ask students to

staple/tape together when they attach them to their
respective projects)

Give

pictures with attached names to teachers to

have students attach to project when completed.

Consider

offering time in guidance for this project

either week 2 or week 3, as determined by
conversation with teachers.

DETAILED TIMELINE FOR PROJECT: Week 4

Ask

student leaders from previous month to help take

down projects on a day the last week of the month
(coordinate with teachers for best time only need 20-30
minutes).

Invite

new student leaders for upcoming month to put up

completed projects before the first week of the month
(coordinate with teachers for best time need about 30
minutes).

Ensure

project that is handed in has picture and name

taped to project already.
When
Use

it's time to display, it's only one step.

wide tape to put up on wall or staples to put up in showcase

EXAMPLE LETTER TO PARENTS

Dear parents,
Our desire at Jefferson is to validate and affirm the home culture and language of all of our students through making
connections that count. One way we have chosen to do this is by inviting all of our students to contribute to a wall that
showcases the faces and families of Jefferson. We are so fortunate to have wonderful diversity within our school. We want all
of our students to see how much they have in common with others in the school, even while celebrating the differences.
To do this well, we will be highlighting one grade each month. For the month of October, we will be highlighting students in 6th
grade.
Specifically, we invite your child to choose two items that he/she wants to display that shows us a little about who they are and
what is important to them and their family. Additionally, we will be taking a picture of your child in class to post next to their
items on the wall, so we can make a stronger connection between the student and his/her chosen items.
When choosing what to showcase, help them consider anything that helps us see whats valuable to your child and helps us
understand more about whats meaningful to your family. This could be a creative project, like a picture they draw, a poem or
short story they write, or a craft they make. This could also be something they bring in from home, like a family photo, a
picture of someone they look up to as a role model, a picture of his/her favorite traditional foods, or a small item that
represents an important tradition in your family.
Your support will be very valuable. Our goal is to help your child feel more connected to our school and to help others feel
more connected to your child.
Items need to be handed to your childs teacher by Tuesday, September 30. We will also provide time for them in classroom
guidance to prepare their items and will remind them as the time gets closer too. We will begin putting the items on display
starting October 1st. The items will be on display for the whole month and then their teacher will choose with their class to
either display it longer in their classroom or send their items home.
If you have any questions, feel free to call or email Jean Herron, the school counselor, at Jefferson at ....
Sincerely,
Jean Herron, school counselor
Patty Dempsey, school counselor intern

RESPONSE TO PROJECT

From a sixth grade teacher: The kids are very excited about these all the projects are so different! Just like them! :)

From school music teacher: As Ive shared with you and Mrs.
Dempsey, this is SUCH a neat visual for our wonderful students!
Thanks!

From the Assistant Superintendent for the West Cluster Schools:

What a wonderful project for everyone!!

From the Coordinator of School Improvement for PBIS and Parent

Partnership: What a great way to welcome, honor and connect with
families.

From a first grade teacher: Love the project and love how fearless
you are, digging in to touch so many of our students lives.

PICTURES OF FINISHED PROJECT