2nd Civil Rights Conference Workshops | Human Rights Commission

Stay tuned for more workshops as they are added or e-mail Amanda.garces@vermont.gov if you would like to present

Bullying, Harassment and Hazing: Know Your Rights and the School’s Responsibility

Monday, April 4th from 4 to 5:30

This session is offered for parents, guardians, students, and advocates who want to learn more about their rights in the school setting when they face bullying, harassment, hazing, and other forms of discrimination. The Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission, Bor Yang, will walk participants through the relevant statutes, rules, and policies and answer questions on how to prevent, stop and address these problems.

Supporting Educators of Color in Vermont

Wednesday, April 6th, 2022 from 4 to 5:30 pm

Much talk is happening around the state about diversifying our educator workforce. Educators of color in Vermont want to shift the conversation from recruitment to retention. If the current environment in many Vermont schools is not inclusive or sustainable for current educators of color, why recruit more to the state? Listen to educators of color who are part of the Vermont Educators of Color Association and learn about strategies needed to support current staff of color and the changes we need to make to retain them.

This workshop will have a BIPOC breakout room option.

Vermont Students Anti-Racism Network

Wednesday, April 6th, 2022 from 6 to 7:30 pm

Hosted by Minelle Sarfo-Adu and Addie Lentzner from the Vermont Students Anti Racism Network. Minelle and Addie will share with us the status of racism in our schools from the student perspective and their work to date. They will also explore a student-made lesson plan about The Color Of Law, A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein. Participants will receive a free book for participating while supplies last.

Police Out of Schools Toolkit Launch: How to win a campaign to increase school safety in your community

Thursday, April 7th, 2022 from 6 to 7:30 pm- Register here

For the past year, districts have chosen a different view on safety - hear from members of the Police Out of Schools Coalition about their new toolkit and ways you can get support and get information to make a police-free school a reality. The conversation is moderated by Maroni Minter From the ACLU of Vermont and Gillian Lucero-Love. Panelists including students and parent advocates come from across the State.

Restorative Justice or Transformative Justice

Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 from 4 to 5:30 pm

In this workshop, you will gain the tools to have critical conversations about restorative justice with your school community. Participations will: Gain a clear understanding of what restorative justice is, Learn to differentiate between punitive, restorative, and transformative justice, and explore how power dynamics can show up in restorative justice.

LGBTQIA+ inclusion in Vermont schools

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022 from 6 to 7:30 pm

Come learn with youth and adults from Outright Vermont about the state of LGBTQ inclusion in Vermont schools, the moves youth are making, and what you can do to show up for freer, more liberated schools for LGBTQ, and all, youth.

A Q & A with Judith E. Heumann followed by a Panel of Vermont Disability Rights Organizations and Scholars

A photo of Judy Heumann holding her two books, Being Heumann and Rolling Warrior. Judy is a white woman with short brown hair who uses a wheelchair. She is wearing glasses, a bright blue shirt with pink embroidered flowers, and black pants. The book covers are yellow and red.

Monday, April 25th, 2022 from 4 to 6:30 pm

Judith Heumann, a lifelong advocate for the rights of disabled people. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of legislation such as Section 504, the Individuals with Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Q&A with Judith will be followed by a panel of prominent Vermont-based Disability Rights organizations and activists including Lindsey Owen from the Disability Rights Vermont, Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie and Sarah Launderville from the Vermont Center for Independent Living, Jhon Pirone from the College of Education and Social Services, Rachel Seelig from Vermont Legal Aid, and Karen Price from the Vermont Family Network.

Equity in Education Affecting Signing Deaf Children and Equity Literacy as a Solution

Wednesday, April 27th, 2022 from 4 to 5:30 pm

Photo of Dr. Pirone wearing a brown shirt and glasses.

Join Dr. John S. Pirone from the College of Education and Social Services as he shares with us his work around Equity in Education Affecting Signing Deaf Children and the solutions.