Inclusive Schools Week 2021

Today marks the start of Inclusive Schools Week! Held the first full week in December each year and sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network, this week is dedicated to “celebrating the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors.” This year’s theme, “Rebuilding our Inclusive Community Together,” really resonates with team TNP.

As we highlighted recently through our #GivingTuesday campaign, the last 18+ months have been difficult for everyone, especially students and educators. While many have returned to in-person learning this year, the effects of separation during the pandemic are apparent. In a previous blog post we shared three main avenues for supporting students this year -- building the classroom environment, the use of self in the classroom, and building relationships within the classroom. These tools, combined with the resources and activities provided by the Inclusive Schools Network can be helpful at home and in the classroom as we continue to recover from the ongoing pandemic. 

At our core, TNP is dedicated to providing educators the tools and resources to build inclusive classrooms. We know that inclusive activities are richer activities and that everyone benefits from being included. Our classroom programs provide students with the essential skills they need to build strong relationships, to treat one another with dignity and respect, and to be members of inclusive communities where everyone feels a sense of belonging. 

For more resources to support the development of empathy and inclusion in your home or classroom, check out The Nora Project’s parent and school resources.