St. Louis County is coming off the heels of a very important primary election and, A Red Circle was right in the mix, registering voters, sharing about the importance of voting, checking for voter suppression and election fraud, providing rides to the polls, and sharing on social media.  It was exciting and energetic work!  Someone shared these words on social media, “Signs do not vote.”  I agree completely.  It made me consider the fact that pencils do not write and books do not read; but children do. 

It is not enough for us to put school supplies in the hands of children if we do not put good foods into their brains, surround them in care and safety, and provide them with the tools to thrive despite overt and covert racism.  

Let us approach this new school year differently.  Let us work collectively for all of North County’s children.  Let us learn how to apply trauma-informed practices.  Let us reimagine schools where racial equity is at the forefront of policies, teaching strategies, and discipline practices.  Finally, let us see each child as deserving of the time and resources needed to perform at his or her full potential.  

A Red Circle is entering its second year of education services and we will be refining our approach and messaging.  For example, we expanded the Education Advocacy Coalition to include other community partners and stakeholders, which responds to one of the Ferguson Commission’s calls to action, Create an Innovative Education Hub, and can be found here.  Through this coalition, we can share resources, learn from one another, increase our collective impact, and attack broader issues in education policy.

I am exciting to continue A Red Circle’s work in education and in our other focus areas and I welcome your support.  Our children deserve the best outcomes possible, because all blood is red.