Announcements
SHRC Speaker Series: Education Panel
On November 24, 2020, the Fairfax County Student Human Rights Commission held an Education Panel with several distinct educators to address the concerns and questions regarding our system of education. The speakers included Dr. Phyllis Pajardo, Superintendent of the City of Fairfax Schools, Dr. Brabrand, the Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, and Abrar Omeish and Rachna Sizemore Heizer, who both serve as At-Large Board Members on the Fairfax County Schools Board.
Some of the questions asked by the Student Human Rights Commission to the educators were about the type of people being consulted to increase equity in education and how they are listening to those impacted by inequity and seeking their input. The Commissioners asked about how the educators plan to implement inclusivity training and anti-racist curriculum among all FCPS teachers, how FCPS is ensuring staff members respect the identity of all students, and what their next steps towards creating a more ethnically diverse county look like. The SHRC also inquired about what resources are available for students of color and low-income students in FCPS and what steps the panelists are taking to reduce disparities in discipline. Other topics discussed were about how FCPS will better support elementary students virtually who have two working parents, what steps FCPS is taking to ensure the protection of all students as well as what is being done to close the school to prison pipeline.
Author: Yasmeen Galle, SHRC Historian
SHRC Speaker Series: Mental Health Panel
On November 10, 2020, the Fairfax County Student Human Rights Commission held a Mental Health Panel with several mental health professionals to address relevant topics and to answer questions regarding mental health. The speakers were Daniel Gillison, the CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Paul Gionfriddo, the President and CEO of Mental Health America (MHA), and Dr. Virginia Lindahl, a licensed clinical psychologist in Alexandria, Virginia who specializes in psychological testing and psychotherapy.
Some of the topics discussed included the state and local level’s support in students’ mental health, various mental health issues pertaining to Northern Virginia, and how we can help support the mental health of marginalized community members. Other questions answered by the panelists were related to the effect of discrimination on our mental health, methods to get mental health breaks, how the use of social media has increased the number of students experiencing mental health issues, and how students who have family members that suffer from a mental health disorder can assist them during their episodes.
Author: Yasmeen Galle, SHRC Historian
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