DEI June Newsletter

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SPOTLIGHT: TSSA ADVOCACY GROUP
The Trans Staff, Students, and Allies (TSSA) Advocacy Group started in early 2023 by Clayton Sterner and the office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The TSSA Advocacy Group envisions APS as a community of belonging for all. The vision is for all APS transgender and gender expansive students and staff to have a true sense of safety, visibility, and authenticity. The TSSA Advocacy Group is and will continue working toward the vision through implementation of education, policy, and community building. The group meets once a month to discuss policies, concerns, and celebrations. As a collective, we want to ensure every single person feels comfortable and a sense of belonging in all APS schools, offices, and buildings. If you are interested in learning more about the group or would like to attend a meeting, please email Clayton (he/they) at clayton.sterner@apsva.us or John-Derik (he/him) at john.hutchinson@apsva.us.

SPOTLIGHT: CLAYTON STERNER
Clayton Sterner (He/They) is an Elementary Music Teacher at Campbell Elementary, and has been an educator in APS for 5 years. He earned his Bachelors in Music Education from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in 2018. They have been working with communities of LGBTQ+ youth since graduating, including programs like Brave Trails Summer Camps in California and Maryland. Sterner has also been collaborating with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to make APS a safer district for transgender staff and students. He has been an advocate for trans staff, co-written progressive policies for APS, and founded the APS Trans Student Staff and Allies (TSSA) Advocacy Group. Clayton Sterner continues to look forward to serving LGBTQ+ communities in APS.

IMPORTANT DATES
June 5 – World Environment Day
June 14 – Flag Day
June 18 – Father’s Day
June 19 – Juneteenth
June 21 – Summer Solstice June is Pride Month

LOOKING FORWARD
Implicit Bias – Phase II – The office of DEI is excited to launch Phase II of our implicit bias training for staff across APS. This voluntary component of our ongoing effort to identify biases and learn to manage them. To learn more, please visit the following link: Implicit Bias – Phase II

AROUND NOVA
The 2023 Arlington Pride Festival
Sat. June 24, 12-7pm @ Gateway Park
The Arlington Pride Festival will inspire our community to collaborate in new ways, ensuring all LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families & friends feel empowered, and supported. This FREE Event for all ages, and will be held at The Rosslyn Gateway Park. For more information and to get your free ticket

TERM OF THE MONTH
Trans Lifeline –  Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.