At BCSD, we believe education helps create the equitable society all students deserve. We strive to create a culture and structure where we take responsibility for transforming the knowledge, beliefs, and practices that act as racist barriers to student learning. It is more important now than ever before to cultivate positive identity formation in our students, encourage students to confront racial and ethnic injustice, and prepare them to live and work together in a diverse world. Social justice is rooted in the deeply humanistic belief that all lives are connected. We stand against all oppression and believe in the importance of liberation for all.

Elementary Resources: 

• Pretty Good - Are Your Kids Too Young to Talk About Race?

• Talking to Kids About Discrimination

• Talking to Kids about Racial Stereotypes

• Talking To Kids About Current Events And Conflicts

Elementary Books:

• The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler. 

• Same Differences by Calida Rawles. 

• The other side by Jacqueline Woodson. 

• Lets Talk about Race by Julius Lestor.

 Books to help children find hope and strength during stressful times:

• Because Amelia Smiled, by David Ezra Stein (Candlewick). 

• Last Stop on Market Street, by Matt de la Peña. 

• The Story of Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf. 

• A Flicker of Hope, by Julia Cook. 

Middle and High School Resources: 

• Addressing Race and Trauma in the Classroom

• Interrupting Bias: Calling people out versus Calling People 

Multicultural Books for Teens

• Our Stories Remember: American Indian History, Culture and Values through Storytelling. Joseph Bruchac- Age 16 and older

• An Island Like You: Stories of the Barrio.  Judith Ortiz Cofer- Ages 12 - 16

• The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom.  Margarita Engle- Age 12 and older

• If I Ever Get Out of Here. Eric Gansworth- Age 11 and older

• Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush. Virginia Hamilton- Age 11 and older

• The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child. Francisco Jimenez- Age 12 and older

• How It Went Down. Kekla Magoon- Age 14 and older

• A Wreath for Emmett Till. Marilyn Nelson- Age 14 and older

• Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans. Kadir Nelson-  Ages 8-14

• Gabi: A Girl in Pieces. Isabel Quintero- Age 14 and older

• When I Was the Greatest. Jason Reynolds- Age 13 and older

• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Benjamin Alire Saenz- Age 14 and older

• Drawing from Memory. Allen Say- Age 10 and older

• Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet. Kashmira Sheth- Age 12 and older

• House of Purple Cedar. Tim Tingle-  Age 14 and older

• Brown Girl Dreaming. Jacqueline Woodson- Age 10 and older

• American Born Chinese. Gene Luen Yang- Age 13 and older

Batavia School Counselors and Social Worker are available through email for additional questions.