Inclusive Schools Week Theme #ISW2023
Draw Me In!
As far back as the days of cave drawings, art has been a way for humans to express themselves. Many children begin to communicate through the language of art even before using words. We’ve often heard, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
The theme for Inclusive Schools Week 2023 is Draw Me In! Participating in art provides a pathway to self-discovery, and sharing art opens doors to understanding and respecting different ways of thinking. Do we see the faces of all children and youth drawn into the canvas of our schools and society today?
The need to belong is a basic need of all students and an integral component of effective inclusive schools. To be inclusive implies a fundamental commitment to building relationships among students, families, educators, and the community to support safe and positive learning environments.
Artist and muralist, Kyle Holbrook, founder of Moving the Lives of Kids, has joined us at the Inclusive Schools Network to share his vision and knowledge of public art as a way to reach and include all kids. As we celebrate Inclusive Schools Week 2023, let us respond—Draw Me In!
DRAW ME IN! BOOKLIST
Art has the incredible power to transcend boundaries, communicate emotions, and provide a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard. Finding My Way Books has curated this inclusive nonfiction booklist to introduce readers to artists who draw or paint. Each artist’s contribution has made our world a more beautiful place.
With this booklist, Finding My Way Books celebrates diversity in art and representation in books. These captivating stories about artists with disabilities empower young readers to view challenges as opportunities for growth and creativity. Through the pages of these books, children can learn the importance of empathy, perseverance, and embracing their individuality, all while exploring the colorful world of art.
What's Happening in Schools 2023-2024 School Year
Inclusive Schools Week at Princeton 2023
Inclusive Schools WeekTM (ISW) highlights and celebrates the progress schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to all students, including those who are marginalized due to disability, gender, ethnicity, geography, and language. It also provides an important opportunity for educators, students, and families to discuss what else needs to be done to ensure that schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children.
Princeton City Schools will join schools across the world in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week December 4th through December 8th, 2023. This year, the Inclusive Schools Week theme is “Draw Me In.” Participating in art provides a pathway to self-discovery, and sharing art opens doors to understanding and respecting different ways of thinking. The need to belong is a basic need of all students and an integral component of effective inclusive schools. To be inclusive implies a fundamental commitment to building relationships among students, families, educators, and the community to support safe and positive learning environments.
During this week, we will be highlighting all the wonderful inclusive practices that happen in Princeton and looking for additional opportunities to grow in this area as a district. There will be daily activities in each building, and a lot of X (Twitter) activity. We are also asking everyone to wear orange, the color of inclusion, on Friday.
If you are on X (Twitter), please use the following hashtags: #AAGV #isw2023. In past years, we have had the highest social media presence in the country. We are aiming to repeat that again this year!
Inclusive Schools Week Daily Activities
Announcements (please read these each day during your morning announcements) | Students | Daily Social Media Challenge | |
Monday | This week, Princeton City Schools joins other schools across the country in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week. We will have daily inclusion activities and twitter challenges. Please share your ideas and pictures about inclusion with: @PCSDViking #AAGV #isw2023 Word of the Day: Inclusion- the act of including, to place together. | Design a classroom mural to depict the students’ perception of what an inclusive school and community look like. | Don’t forget to share a picture of your murals. #AAGV #isw2023 |
Tuesday | Day 2 of Inclusive Schools Week Word of the Day: Diverse- including people from more than one group Everyone has things that make them special and unique, and everyone has things in common. Take time to learn about your classmates. | I am From Artwork Have your students create a drawing or painting representing where they are from. | Share your artwork with us! #AAGV #isw2023 |
Wednesday | Day 3 of Inclusive Schools Week Word of the Day: Belong- to be a part of something Accepting yourself and others is important. Think about what makes you special and unique that you can share with others. | Students think about what makes them belong at school. | What makes you feel like you belong? #AAGV #isw2023 |
Thursday | Day 4 of Inclusive Schools Week Word of the Day: Community- a feeling of belonging with a social group Say hi to someone you don’t know and make a new friend today! We will be wearing orange tomorrow for inclusion. | Develop a list of ways your classroom can be more inclusive and commit to acting on the items listed. | Show us your lists! #AAGV #isw2023 |
Friday | Day 5 of Inclusive Schools Week Word of the Day: Equity- providing people with the resources that fit their circumstances We hope everyone has been inspired by our inclusion activities this week. Please take the “Go Orange for Inclusion” pledge and pick one thing you can do to be inclusive and promote equity. Teachers, please play the inclusion video that was sent to your email. | Take pictures wearing orange and holding your “Go Orange for Inclusion” pledge. | Send us your pictures in orange with your pledge! #AAGV #isw2023 |