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Welcome to the
Office of Culturally and Linguistically
Responsive Initiatives
"We Lift as We Climb." - Mary Church Terrell
It is our greatest joy to provide culturally relevant curriculum, resources, and experiences to the students in the Buffalo Public School District.
Vision Statement:
The vision of the Office of Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Initiatives (CLRI) is that all staff support schools in establishing a community that embraces, values, and infuses culturally and linguistically responsive teaching and learning for all students.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Buffalo Public Schools’ Office of CLRI is to share the value and best practices of culturally and linguistically responsive practices in order to support and respond to the growing needs of our diverse student population. The Office of CLRI will provide supports, resources, exemplars, and a framework for stakeholders to receive lifelong meaningful learning experiences that inform, train, and support systemic culturally and linguistically responsive practices.
In an effort to foster collective community healing as a result of the racist Tops Massacre, the Office of CLRI facilitated racial healing circles at the 2022-2023 Disproportionality Training Series' Opening Event held on October 6, 2022 at Villa Maria College. To learn more about this powerful and impactful event, please see the event's video.
In memory of the victims lost and injured from the horrific mass shooting on May 14th, 2022, the Scholars of the Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Initiatives Programs of the Buffalo Public Schools hosted a community forum and food drive on May 24th, 2022. This honoring and healing moment featured performances from our scholars to honor our tremendous loss and begin the process of healing as a community. Although we will never forget the loved ones we have lost, we will forever stand together as a community to drown out hate with love. Our district community scholars from Buffalo Public Schools uplifted their voices to ensure that our future will be brighter.
The Office of CLRI has compiled Healing and Resilience lessons and resources for educators to support them in working with their scholars to mitigate the harmful effects of the racial trauma experienced by the horrific tragedy that occurred within the Buffalo community on May 14, 2022. Please visit the Healing & Resilience section of the website for more information.
Fifth grade scholars at Frank A. Sedita School #31, with the support of their teacher, Ms. Selena Borek, wrote and mailed letters to President Biden. Ms. Borek shared, "In response to the tragedy in Buffalo, my class wrote letters to President Biden asking him to fight racism in our community and suggested practices to do just that. [You will find their] writing inspirational and valuable as we all seek to understand and navigate the aftermath of the Buffalo shooting this past weekend. I just sent them to the White House this morning! We are hopeful for some kind of response from the administration."
BPS Students Write to President Biden - Urging to Fight Racism
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Fatima Morrell, Ed.D.
Chief
Office of Culturally & Linguistically Responsive Initiatives
Buffalo Public Schools
2008 City Hall
Buffalo, New York 14202
Phone: (716) 816-3584
Fax (716) 851-3746
