West Hartford Parent Community Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Groups from several schools presented  “Illuminate West Hartford” last week.

Illuminate West Hartford 2023. Courtesy photo

Submitted

WIf you were out and about on the evening of Monday, June 5, 2023, you may have noticed homes with glowing luminary bags and wondered what they were for. West Hartford Parent Community Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Groups in Aiken Elementary and Duffy Elementary schools once again presented Illuminate West Hartford.

Illuminate West Hartford 2023. Courtesy photo

This initiative was an opportunity to bring West Hartford families together to celebrate our diverse community, learn, and assert that no one should face hate and discrimination based on their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, immigration status, or religious belief.

As the 2022-2023 school year comes to a close, almost 1,000 students and staff were given luminary kits including a brochure with tabletalk prompts, resources and information for caregivers to hold ongoing conversations with their families. On June 5 at 7:30 p.m. the luminary bags – many uniquely decorated by students – were lit and displayed to show these families’ commitment to stand for equity and justice in our community, illuminating West Hartford just as the sun set.

Illuminate West Hartford 2023. Courtesy photo

Illuminate West Hartford is an evolution of Aiken Elementary’s Light It Up for Solidarity held in 2021 in the midst of increases in Anti-Asian incidents and violence. “The past two years, we’ve invited all West Hartford elementary schools to take part in this special night. We at Aiken are thrilled that we are continuing what we thought was a one-time initiative,” said Abiah Ruel of Aiken’s EDI. “It’s important that all of our children and their families feel welcomed, loved, and safe but also know how to make sure others are made to feel the same in our community. It’s an ongoing process but special events like this give us space to pause and commit.”

Illuminate West Hartford 2023. Courtesy photo

“It’s wonderful to be able to bring this to Duffy again this year,” said Tracy Wu Fastenberg, co-chair of the Duffy Elementary EDI Committee. “Students helped assemble the luminary kits again, having important conversations as they did so which was really special. It’s more about than just a show of support. It’s an opportunity to carve out time to have age appropriate chats about things that are vital to a strong community, even if they feel uncomfortable as a caregiver. Kids, even young ones like my four-year-old, don’t feel the discomfort that adults can. They engage naturally.”

Illuminate West Hartford 2023. Courtesy photo

The purpose of the West Hartford Parent Community EDI Groups is to create a collaborative space for parents, educators, and community members to come together to listen, learn, and take action on equity initiatives for systemic change that will ensure all children have the opportunities for educational success.

In 2017, the first parent-led, school-based Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion group was established. Since then, other EDI groups have been established at almost all public schools in West Hartford. For more information, follow West Hartford Parent Community EDI Groups on Facebook, website, or by contacting [email protected].

Illuminate West Hartford 2023. Courtesy photo

Illuminate West Hartford 2023. Courtesy photo

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