Given all the race and class-based violence, anti-blackness rhetoric in the media and the subsequent backlash from white-identified people and groups, there is a growing need for mindful, supportive education for white children. 

Here is a short list of resources that was just sent out on the Social Justice Training Institute's listserve by various social justice educators and activists.  

What White Children Need to Know about Race, Ali Michael and Eleonora Bartoli, Independent School Magazine
While white parents’ intention is to convey to their children the belief that race shouldn’t matter, the message their children receive is that race, in fact, doesn’t matter. The intent and aim are noble, but in order for race not to matter in the long run, we have to acknowledge that, currently, it does matter a great deal. If white parents want their children to contribute to what researchers Matthew Desmond and Mustafa Emirbayer describe as a “racially just America”2 in which race does not unjustly influence one’s life opportunities, their children will need to learn awareness and skills that they cannot acquire through silence and omission.

On Parenting
We need to deal with our discomfort and talk to our kids about racism, By Meghan Leahy, The Washington Post
Since the horrific shooting in Charleston, the questions have been pouring in, mostly from white parents. “How do I talk to my children about what happened?” “How do I explain racism to my 6-year-old?” “How do I talk about this level of violence?” “How can I support African Americans in my community?”

Sharing this online resource that may be helpful to parents with young children.

From the site: 
"Welcome to Raising Race Conscious Children, a resource to support adults who are trying to talk about race with young children. The goal of these conversations is to prepare young people to work toward racial justice. If we commit to collectively trying to talk about race with young children, we can lean on one another for support as we, together, envision a world where we actively challenge racism each and every day. This blog is geared toward White people but the strategies discussed may be helpful for all."

http://www.raceconscious.org/

Is Self-Care Right for Your Family?

You are invited to come out and meet the members of the UMBC Preschool Advisory Committee and representatives of the Y Preschool of Central Maryland as we prepare to re-open the Y Preschool at UMBC.  Information on the following topics will be available,

• enrollment and registration deadlines
• preschool tuition and financing
• curriculum and staffing
• UMBC partnerships
• other general inquiries related to preschool administration

Get your important questions answered and enjoy some light refreshments!

Beginning on Tuesday, May 26th, the Women's Center will operate with the following hours:

Monday through Thursday - 10am to 3pm

Fridays - Closed

In order to ensure access to this safe and private space for nursing parents, the Women's Center is partnering with the Commons CIC. If you plan on using the lactation room over the winter term, please contact Jess Myers (jessm@umbc.edu, 410-455-2714) for details and next steps. 

UMBC, in partnership with the YMCA of Central Maryland, is excited to announce the re-opening of the Y Preschool at UMBC, effective September 1, 2015. TheUMBC Preschool offers quality instruction to children 2-5 years of age and provides development opportunities for young children to:

• Learn through imaginative play
• Develop cognitive and physical health
• Be independent and self-confident
• Become enthusiastic, inquisitive learners
• Develop character

The program also offers opportunities for UMBC students to work with the Y Center Staff to gain experience working at the Preschool in areas such as music, theater, geography, and STEM. The Y is looking to collaborate with other areas for academic research, internships, and direct learning.

Early Bird registration for UMBC faculty, staff, and students is May 1 – May 31, 2015. There are a limited number of enrollment spots available, so please register early to ensure you are able to take advantage of this opportunity.

In person registration is required. To schedule your in-person registration appointment, contact Betty Sterner at 410-747-4951. Please note, the $85 non-refundable registration fee will be applied to the first week's tuition.

Valerie A. Thomas, Associate Vice President of Human Resources