There are still high levels of educational inequality in our schools, and the "Black Lives Matter Week of Action in Our Schools" movement is working hard to change that. Beginning February 5 through February 9, educators around the nation will participate. While it shares some connection to the Black Lives Matter movement, the Black Lives Matter at School movement is separate and was started by a group of teachers, parents and administrators.

The week of action's three central demands are: to end zero-tolerance discipline policies and implement restorative justice, to hire more black teachers and to mandate black history and ethnic studies be taught throughout the K-12 curriculum, per More Caucus NYC. The week also stresses 13 principles that include diversity, globalism and collective value.

Educators in Seattle and Philadelphia organized Black Lives Matter actions in their schools last year, and the movement has since reached cities such as New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, Los Angeles and Detroit, Social Equity Educators (SEE) reports. According to
Fox 5, Washington D.C. and Maryland schools are among the latest to join.

Maryland's Prince George's County school board unanimously passed the "Black Lives Matter Week of Action in Schools" resolution
.

“I don't believe it is political,” said Amanya Paige, the student member of the Prince George's County school board. “I believe it is a movement to encourage minorities and African-American students to be proud of who they are and to embrace who they are because we live it every day. I think that it is important to understand our culture and understand where we are coming from in order to be productive citizens.”

During the week, educators will be wearing Black Lives Matter shirts and teaching movement-related material. There is also a website where educators can share stories and resources.

It's great to see this amazing movement growing! If you desire to bring it to your city, visit its Facebook page for more information.

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