Culturally & Linguistically Responsive Initiatives

Our Story Project

Purpose:

The Our Story Project is made up of 9th to 12th-grade scholars from across the Buffalo School District. A culturally and linguistically responsive teaching curriculum is used as the framework for this program so that scholars learn about their own history, social justice, and are able to see themselves in the curriculum. Hip-hop literacy and technology skills are also embedded into the program to promote scholars' voices in advocating for social justice and 21st-century skills. Additionally, scholars take part in leadership development opportunities and culturally relevant field trips, all of which support scholars with achieving their own academic and personal commitment goals.

2020-2021 Our Story Project Events and Activities

As part of our culminating activity, Our Story Scholars presented their end-of-the-year social justice projects. We also learned how to make African-inspired jewelry taught by Ms. Sonia from Dovi and Girls African Clothing.  Check out the completed projects using the link below. Great job, Scholars! 

Social Justice Projects 2021

Sunshine Vegan Eatery worked with Our Story Project scholars to create some delicious plant-based Soul Food dishes! Thank you, Ms. Nikki! We had a great time!  

The Our Story Project is expanding! Parents, scholars, teachers, and supporters that are interested in hearing about all the fun and exciting events and activities Our Story Project has to offer are welcome to join our informational Q&A on February 4th at 5:30 PM.

During our Saturday Academy on 1/23/21, students discussed the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris, and what this means for American society. Scholars then listened to Amanda Gorman's poem recited at the inauguration ceremony.  Scholars chose powerful lines from her poem, "The Hill We Climb", used images that represented her words, then presented their creations in a PowerPoint presentation.  See the entire slide show using the following link: 

 "The Hill We Climb" Presentation

Our Story Scholars meet on Thursdays. We get to hear students' voices and have deep conversations about historical influences on current events.   

At the Our Story Saturday Academies, students are reading and discussing the student version of Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-Winning Stamped from the Beginning by Jason Reynolds, based on writings from Dr. Ibram X. Kendi.  Students and teachers explore the history of systemic racism and how it impacts our society today. Students have courageous conversations about the world around them.

The Office of CLRI has teamed up with the Close Up organization to further foster discussion and courageous conversation about current event topics in our country.  Close Up is a non-profit and non-partisan organization that believes a strong democracy requires active and informed participation by all citizens. Through this organization, students will connect with a number of resources and people and explore civic engagement topics. To learn more, click on the link below:

Close Up Organization

2019-2020 Our Story Project Events and Activities

Click to view a video of the Our Story's Cultural Excursion to Alabama.

Our Story Project scholars actively engage in social justice work as they reenact the historic civil rights march over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.

Scholars reflect upon the fight for social justice at the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama.

At the Our Story Culmination, scholars present their final projects to a captive audience.

Scholars hone their technology skills while working on app development.

Culturally responsive pieces of literature are embedded into the Our Story Project curriculum. Scholars deepen their learning and understanding by engaging in reading and writing activities that connect the literature to their own personal lives and experiences.

Scholars attend the award-winning production of Hamilton and are provided with an opportunity to engage in a talk-back with the actors after the show.

Our Story scholars enjoy a beautiful Saturday while touring the Harriet Tubman house and learning about her legacy.

The scholars visit Harriet Tubman's church in Auburn, NY.

Culturally responsive field excursions are accompanied by writing prompts that encourage scholars to reflect upon the learning and memoralize their experiences.

Our Story Project scholars take a tour of Medgar Evers College, an HBCU in New York City.