D27 AAPI by Jennifer Carreon

PLAYBILL Community School District 27 Community Superintendent Jennifer Carreón www.District27nyc.org twitter: @district27nyc

Community Superintendent of District 27 Jennifer Carreón

Community Superintendent of District 27 Jennifer Carreón was born in Quezon City, Philippines. Her mother, Thelma Carreón, is Filipina with Mexican ancestry and her father, Alberto Cortes Carreón, was Filipino with Spanish ancestry. As an AAPI student with Mexican/Spanish ancestry (aka “Brown Asian) in the New York City public school system, cultural identity and self-awareness had to happen immediately upon arriving to New York with her siblings and parents in 1980. Ever since then, Superintendent Carreón has been a proponent of fostering an anti-racist mindset throughout her educational and professional career. She has spearheaded a yearlong focus in District 27 of implementing Culturally Relevant/Responsive Sustaining Education (CR-SE) teaching and learning practices, ensuring that we encourage the same spirit among all school leaders and school-based staff in District 27 so that our students become passionate, proactive, empathetic and respectful members of society. These sentiments encompass the D27 vision of #SCEWP, trademarked by Superintendent Carreon. Superintendent Carreón has been the Community Superintendent for Community School District 27 since September 2018, overseeing 49 schools and six stand-alone 3-K/Pre-K Centers, for a total of 55 sites, and approximately 45,000 students. Prior to becoming Superintendent, she held the roles of Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning at Queens South Borough Office, Director of New Principal Support for the NYCDOE, and was an award-winning principal for 8 years at PS/IS 178Q. She also held the titles of Assistant Principal, staff developer and began her teaching career in our very own District 27. Superintendent Carreón possesses a B.A. in English and Master’s Degrees in Early Childhood, Elementary Education and Educational Leadership. She is a graduate of the New York City Leadership Academy and the Cahn Fellows Program for Distinguished Principals at Teachers College, Columbia University. Most recently, Superintendent Carreón has been teaching aspiring leaders of D27 at Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY). Superintendent Carreón has two of her own children, who are the light of her life and who identify as Filipino and Puerto Rican, and she is a proud product of the New York City public school system from grades K to 12, attending schools in District 1, District 2 and graduating from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music, Art and Performing Arts.

Master of Ceremonies Kuljit (Victor) Singh, Principal of 27Q210

Principal Singh was born into a Punjabi, Sikh family on January 13, 1966, in Shahdara (Shah-the-rah), India.

He lived in India for the first 8 years of his life, with his mother and

younger brother, while his father pioneered to the USA in 1972 to get settled before calling his family over. The remainder of the family immigrated to America in 1974 and settled in Jackson Heights, Queens.

He graduated from PS69, and IS145, both in Queens.

While he was

accepted into Brooklyn Technical High School, he was unable to attend due to relocating to Long Island. After graduating from Floral Park Memorial High School, Mr. Singh attended and graduated from SUNY @ Stony Brook with a BA in English Literature and Political Science. He later graduated from CUNY @ Queens College with an MS in Education/English Literature, as well as an SBL Degree from Queens College. He taught ELA at MS202Q for 7 years before becoming a Dean and ultimately an Assistant Principal at MS202Q. This proved to be a great training ground to the position he currently holds today as the proud Principal of MS210Q. His brother is also a teacher, as is his sister-in-law. Mr. Singh has 4 children(2 boys/2 girls), ranging from the ages of 10 to 17 years old. His wife is an RN Clinician. The entire Singh family loves to vacation together and is looking forward to travelling once again when the COVID restrictions are further eased, and greater numbers are fully vaccinated.

Pierre J. Galvez, Director of Multilingual Learners of the NYCDOE’s Queens South

Pierre J. Galvez is the Director for Multilingual Learners of the NYCDOE’s Queens South Borough Citywide Office (QSBCO). In this capacity, Pierre supports schools in adhering to Federal and New York State policies pertaining to Multilingual Learners. He oversees the implementation of English as a New Language (ENL) and Bilingual programs that have an impact on more than 15,000 ML/ELLs across Districts, 27, 28, 29 and HS. Prior to this position, he served in a variety of ENL instructional leadership positions, including Director for Student Support Services in the Children’s First Network, Network Support Specialist in the Integrated Curriculum and Instruction Learning Support Organization and Region 9 Instructional Coach specializing in professional development, instruction and compliance. Pierre began his career as a Youth Coordinator at the YMCA before moving to Community School District 4, Spanish Harlem where he was a founding member of a Bilingual Middle School. As a Filipino American, Pierre spent part of his childhood in Manila, Philippines and moved to New York City at the age of eleven. Pierre has never forgotten his experience and continues to devote his career for the equitable advancement of linguistically diverse students. Pierre believes that being able to say “I am” is the greatest civil right for all of us. Due to this, the entire Queens South Community participates in an annual event entitled, MLL Day of Advocacy where stories of self-identity and belonging are affirmed. Pierre possesses a B.S. in Linguistics and Master’s Degrees in Adolescent Education, Linguistics and Educational Leadership. Pierre has worked with renowned leaders in the field of linguistics and immigrant policy. Pierre is currently a doctoral candidate.

Kristen Meehan, Music Teacher, M.S. 202

Korean-American, Kristen Meehan, is the chorus teacher at Robert H. Goddard Middle School 202. She is the product of New York City’s Queens public education system. Mrs. Meehan went on to study organ performance at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester and received her master’s degree in Music Education at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. Prior to pursuing a music degree, Mrs. Meehan received her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from SUNY Stony Brook. Mrs. Meehan’s chorus program has flourished since its inauguration in 2014, with some groups numbering over 150 students. More recently, piano and percussion classes have come to spotlight (due to our current learning situation), creating fledgling, young pianists and percussionists.

Program

Notable AAPI Slideshow ……………………......…...…..District 27, Dr. William Cooper, Kamelia Albasheir Welcome……………………………………………………...………...Deputy Superintendent David Norment Introduction of the Master of Ceremonies……………………....……………..Principal Kuljit Singh, 27Q210 National Anthem, "Star Spangled Banner”........................................... Kristen Meehan, Teacher 27Q202 Greetings………………………………………....................... Community Superintendent Jennifer Carreón Pre-K Filipino Tinikling Dance…………….......................……Michelle Maso, District 27 Pre-K Center @439 Students Of 27Q336 QE News Team…...……………………………………………………....Queens Explorers News Team 27Q316 Bucket Drum Performance………………………………………………………...……….Class 808B of 27Q202 Minuet in G by J.S.Bach………………………………….…..Jeremy Insuasti, 8th Grade Student of 27Q202 ML/AAPI Shared Experiences………….………...Pierre Galvez, Director of Multilingual Learners (ML/ELL) Affirming Student Identities of 27Q043, 27Q056, 27Q060, 27Q066, 27Q090, 27Q108, 27Q197 Attention by Charlie Puth..………..…….……………………….………………Brandon Rodriguez of 27Q202 "Village Academy Students Speak Out Against Hate and Intolerance" Poetry …...Students of 27Q319 Scholars’ Academy South Asian Cultural Club (SACC) Presentation………..………Students of 27Q323 Scholars’ Academy Gatka Performance…..................................................................Students of 27Q323 First Grade Asian Heritage ……………………………………………………………….…...Students of 27Q223 Artwork Slideshow…………………..………………………………...…..…..District 27 Student Artwork, Poetry "Get Up, Stand Up"...................................................................................Kristen Meehan, Teacher, 27Q202

Program Performances Notable AAPI Slideshow

Pre-K Filipino Tinikling Dance

QE News Team

District 27 Title: Notable AAPI Slideshow Summary: This slideshow includes pictures and summaries of notable AAPI. Staff Leads: Dr. William Cooper, Kamelia Albasheir School: District 27 Pre-K Center @439 Students Of 27Q336, Susan Settanni, Director Title: Filipino Tinikling Dance Summary: Tinikling is a traditional Philippine folk dance which involves two people beating, tapping and sliding bamboo poles on the ground and against each other in coordination with dancers who step over and in between the poles. Staff Leads: Michelle Maso-Czekalski Highlighted Students: Pre-K students of 27Q336 School: P.S.316 Queens Explorers Magnet School, Nicole Grant, Principal Title: QE AAPI Morning News Reel Summary: Every month for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Queens Explorers creates a culminating core virtue video to show the students' work. During AAPI Heritage month, Queens Explorers made this video to commemorate this month. In this video, Queens Explorers celebrates the countries of Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan. Staff Leads: Jessica Finnerty (5th Grade Teacher) Highlighted Students: Omar Afridi (Grade 5), Naveen Reza (Grade 5), Saliyah Anthony (Grade 4), Gadin Bachan (Grade 4), Darlyn Corpuz, (Grade 4), Arabella Harun (Grade 4), John Angel Morales (Grade 2) Additional Resources: AAPI SEL Video https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XFeZ_-upD5IqHRNjlwLpfv1 aEJFhCscm/view

Program Performances Bucket Drum Performance

Minuet in G by J.S.Bach

ML/AAPI Shared Experience

Attention by Charlie Puth

School: M.S. 202, William Fitzgerald, Principal Title: Bucket Drumming Summary: Bucket drumming is a style of music which involves drumming on plastic buckets to create melodies. Staff Leads: Kristen Meehan (Music Teacher) Highlighted Students: Class 808 Integrated Co-teaching (ICT) School: M.S.202, William Fitzgerald, Principal Title: Minuet in G by J.S. Bach Summary: This movement was written in the early 1700s by Johann Sebastian Bach. Staff Leads: Kristen Meehan (Music Teacher) Highlighted Students: Jeremy Insuasti, 8th Grade Queens South Division: Queens South Multilingual Learners (ML/ELL) Title: Affirming ML/ELL Identities Summary: This video compilation is part of the Queens South ML/ELL Day of Advocacy BCO Leads: Pierre Galvez, Joshua Metz Highlighted Schools: 27Q043, 27Q056, 27Q060, 27Q066, 27Q090, 27Q097, 27Q108, 27Q197 Additional Resources: http://bit.ly/QSMLLD27AffirmMLLsID-2021 or https://flipgrid.com/908c2a41 School: M.S.202, William Fitzgerald, Principal Title: Attention by Charlie Puth Summary: Pop Music Selection Staff Leads: Kristen Meehan (Music Teacher) Highlighted Students: Brandon Rodriguez - 7th Grade

Program Performances "Village Academy Students Speak Out Against Hate and Intolerance" Poetry

Scholars’ Academy South Asian Cultural Club (SACC) Presentation

School: M.S.319 Village Academy, Doris Lee, Principal Title: "Village Academy Students Speak Out Against Hate and Intolerance" Summary: As a part of our social justice curriculum this school year students have explored instances of discrimination based on race, gender, religion and socio economic status. Recently students learned about the hate crimes and hate speech directed towards Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. In response students wrote poetry communicating the need to take action to stop these injustices in our society and to honor and celebrate others for their contributions. Staff Leads: Ms. Hanna Grayson (Humanities Teacher and Student Government Moderator), Ms. Darline Marcellus (Humanities Teacher and Student Government Moderator) Highlighted Students: Tyler Hodge-Grade 6 , Khaliya Banner-Grade 8 , Johana Bonilla-Grade 7, Cristopher Serrano-Grade 7, Destiny Charles-Grade 8 School: M.S./H.S.323, Scholars’ Academy,Michele Smyth, Principal Title: Scholars’ Academy South Asian Cultural Club (SACC) Presentation Summary: The intention of the South Asian Cultural Club is to create a brave space for individuals to increase their understanding of South Asian Culture Staff Leads: Deodat Ragoobeer, Kim Newman, Christina Quintana Highlighted Students: Sharona Nagamuthu, Amanda Prashad, Bhaskar Thakoordeen, Yashika Dhall

Program Performances Scholars’ Academy Gatka Performance

First Grade Asian Heritage

Artwork Slideshow

"Get Up, Stand Up"

School: M.S./H.S.323, Scholars’ Academy, Michele Smyth, Principal Title: Gatka Performance Summary: Gatka is the name of an Indian martial art associated with the Sikhs of the Punjab who practice an early variant of the martial art. It is a style of stick-fighting, with wooden sticks intended to simulate swords. Staff Leads: Christina Quintana Highlighted Students: Pradhdheer Singh, Sarvan Singh, Harpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh School: P.S.223, Tekesha Babb, Principal Title: First Grade Asian Heritage Presentation Summary: This presentation honors the arts, language and music of multiple countries including China, India, Pakistan and Japan. Staff Leads: Mr.Lang (Arts Teacher) Highlighted Students: First Grade Students from M.S.223 Schools: M.S.210, Kuljit Singh, Principal, P.S.223 Tekesha Babb, Principal, M.S./H.S.323, Scholars’ Academy, Michele Smyth, Principal Title: Artwork Slideshow Summary: Student created artwork and written poetry, AAPI Inspired from multiple countries. Staff Leads: Amarilis Torello (M.S. 210), Samantha Weisberg (M.S. 210), Eric Lang (P.S.223), Kelly Trpic-Rukavina (Scholars’ Academy), Blythe Worster (Scholars’ Academy) Highlighted Schools: 27Q210, 27Q223, Scholars’ Academy School: M.S. 202, William Fitzgerald, Principal Title: Get Up, Stand Up Summary: The original “Get Up, Stand Up” was performed by Bob Marley as a powerful call to action. This piano version is arranged and performed by Kristen Meehan. Staff Leads: Kristen Meehan (Music Teacher)

AAPI Resources ● NYCDOE School Library System, Asian American/Pacific Islanders Collection A collection of 433 ebooks and 93 audiobooks for young people that honors and reflects on the significant contributions Asian Americans & Pacific Islander Americans have made to the lives and culture of the United States. Available to NYCDOE students and teachers by logging into the Sora app with their NYCDOE credentials.A collection of 433 ebooks and 93 audiobooks for young people that honors and reflects on the significant contributions Asian Americans & Pacific Islander Americans have made to the lives and culture of the United States. Available to NYCDOE students and teachers by logging into the Sora app with their NYCDOE credentials. ● Asia Society, Spotlight on Asian Pacific Americans: A Biography Series for Children and FamiliesAsia Society, Spotlight on Asian Pacific Americans: A Biography Series for Children and Families Part of Asia Society's new Initiative, Asian Americans Building America, The Center for Global Education will spotlight inspiring Asian Pacific Americans and explore their specific contributions to life in America. These weekly mini- lessons will aim to spark the curiosity of young learners by helping them to build a more inclusive understanding of American history. Part of Asia Society's new Initiative, Asian Americans Building America, The Center for Global Education will spotlight inspiring Asian Pacific Americans and explore their specific contributions to life in America. These weekly mini- lessons will aim to spark the curiosity of young learners by helping them to build a more inclusive understanding of American history.

AAPI Resources ● National Park Service, Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage A collection of itineraries from The National Park Service and other places listed in the National Register of Historic Places that bring alive Asian American and Pacific Islander peoples’ stories and how they enriched our nation. Resources also include articles, individual stories, and essays. A Teach It! section is included for both educators and parents with additional resources to engage both children and young adults.A collection of itineraries from The National Park Service and other places listed in the National Register of Historic Places that bring alive Asian American and Pacific Islander peoples’ stories and how they enriched our nation. Resources also include articles, individual stories, and essays. A Teach It! section is included for both educators and parents with additional resources to engage both children and young adults. ● New York Public Library, AAPI Heritage Month Resources A collection of free online events and resources, as well as a book list for adults, kids, and teens that spotlight a range of experiences within the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. ● A Different Asian American Timeline This timeline covers nearly 600 years of history starting with the early Atlantic slave trade in the 15th Century, tracing the rise of modern nation-states, and covering events that have affected people across racial boundaries.This timeline covers nearly 600 years of history starting with the early Atlantic slave trade in the 15th Century, tracing the rise of modern nation-states, and covering events that have affected people across racial boundaries.

AAPI Resources ● Asian Americans Asian Americans is a five-hour film series that delivers a bold, fresh perspective on a history that matters today, more than ever. As America becomes more diverse, and more divided while facing unimaginable challenges, how do we move forward together? Told through intimate personal stories, the series will cast a new lens on U.S. history and the ongoing role that Asian Americans have played. ●

Hate crimes. Harassment. Indignities. Being Asian in 2021 Part of Race and Justice Unit. The Race & Justice Unit is a values-driven enterprise centered in the WNYC newsroom which strives to convey news content through a lens of racial and social justice.

● Stop AAPI Hate In response to the alarming escalation in xenophobia and bigotry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center on March 19, 2020. The center tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. ● Being Asian and Latino In the U.S., the two fastest-growing ethnic groups are Asian and Latino—and those groups are not mutually exclusive. For centuries, immigrants from Asia have settled in Mexico all the way down to Argentina, and their descendants carry both Asian and Latin American identities. Inside the U.S., Asians and Latinos have lived side-by-side in heavily immigrant neighborhoods and have created lives together. In this episode, we'll hear from four Latino USA listeners, who discuss their own Asian Latino identity and how it has shaped their experience in the U.S.

AAPI Acknowledgements Superintendent Jennifer Carreón and the District 27 Team would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed and participated in the first District-sponsored AAPI Celebration. We appreciate all of the artwork, poetry readings, dance performances and music performances that were shared with our community. It is so important that we share with each other the vibrant cultural heritage and stories within the Asian American Pacific Islander community. #D27BetterTogether

Participants: Kuljit Singh, Principal M.S. 210 Kristen Meehan, Music Teacher M.S. 202 Pierre Galvez, Director of Multilingual Learners (ML/ELL) Joshua Metz, ML/ELL Services Administrator 27Q043, Simone A. Nicholas, Principal 27Q056, Megan Gitli, Principal 27Q060, Frank DeSario, Principal 27Q066, Helen DeSario, Principal 27Q090, Adrienne Ubertini, Principal 27Q108, Jennifer Iovine, Principal 27Q197, Christina Villavicencio, Principal 27Q202, William Fitzgerald, Principal 27Q223, Tekesha Babb, Principal 27Q316, Nicole Grant, Principal 27Q319, Doris Lee, Principal 27Q323, Michele Smyth, Principal 27Q336, District 27 Pre-K Center @439, Susan Settanni, Director 27Q362, Kamelia Albasheir, Teacher