October: Read our FY24 Annual Report and Welcome our Newest Staff Member!
Happy back to school season to all of our scholars, families, educators, and school communities!
This month’s newsletter includes:
Back to school! A peek into our school partnerships and programming this school year!
ICYMI: Joy Manual: Free Community Building Resource! + Donor Survey!
Community Events and Resources
September Newsletter: Happy Back to School Season!
Happy back to school season to all of our scholars, families, educators, and school communities!
This month’s newsletter includes:
Back to school! A peek into our school partnerships and programming this school year!
ICYMI: Joy Manual: Free Community Building Resource! + Donor Survey!
Community Events and Resources
August Newsletter: Black August and our Freedom Dreams
“Ella Baker was a Freedom Fighter who taught us how to fight. We gon fight all day and night until we get it right. Which side are you on my people, which side are you on (I’m on the Freedom side!) Which side are you on my people, which side are you on (I’m on the Freedom side!)...Salome is a Freedom fighter who taught us how to fight…”
The beautiful voices of 50 children rang out in the streets of south Seattle around Emerson Elementary as WA-BLOC Freedom Schools scholars took to their neighborhood streets leading a march and rally to raise awareness about gun violence, homelessness, and pollution in early August. They raised fists and posters and their voices. They sang, and chanted, and shared speeches with one another about their Freedom Dreams and the changes they want to see in their community.
In the fierce spirit of our Freedom Schools scholars and Black August, a dedicated month to commemorate Black resistance, freedom struggles, and political prisoners, we offer you our current reflections and Freedom Dreams from this past month and the people, actions, and joy worth fighting for. In this newsletter you’ll find:
The Fight for Student Mental Health Supports
Seattle Times Feature
Freedom Schools Wrapped!
National Association for Restorative Justice (NARCJ) Conference Reflections
Joy Manual: Digital Booklet of Community Building Games and Circle Outlines for Schools and Educators
Community Resources and Events
Freedom Schools Wrapped!
Y’all the reviews are in and this summer’s iteration of Freedom Schools was everything! We could not have had such a successful run without the brilliant educators, support staff, financial and material donors, bus drivers, families, and scholars that make up our community. Thank you to every single person who helped us put together another year of programming for Rainier Beach youth.
July Newsletter: Freedom Schools and Special Projects Sneak Peak
We are keeping this newsletter short and sweet because it’s summer and that means Freedom Schools for our team :) We are having a blast so far and excited to share some fun updates with you. We hope you are staying safe and staying cool. Grab some soft serve from @thepastryproject and catch up with us! In this newsletter you’ll find:
Freedom Schools - Our first two weeks recap
Special Projects Sneak Peak!
Community and Educational Resources
June Newsletter: Juneteenth and Freedom
Here are some highlights and learnings we’ve curated for this month’s newsletter:
Nothing and everything matters
Freedom Schools Campaign Updates and Gratitudes
Estelita’s Library X WA-BLOC book drive partnership
Blog Feature: What Madrona elementary students have taught me about circle
WA-BLOC in Chicago: Staff Retreat!
Community and Educational Resources
May Newsletter: Nothing & Everything Matters
Here are some highlights and learnings we’ve curated for this month’s newsletter:
Nothing and everything matters
Freedom Schools Campaign Updates and Gratitudes
Estelita’s Library X WA-BLOC book drive partnership
Blog Feature: What Madrona elementary students have taught me about circle
WA-BLOC in Chicago: Staff Retreat!
Community and Educational Resources
April Newsletter: Celebrating 8 Years of Transformative Education
WA-BLOC Celebrates 8 Years of Transformative Education
And just like that, WA-BLOC turns 8 years old! :) Happy Birthday, WA-BLOC!
Our beginnings were small but mighty. We were born of youth activists: a collective of students and young adults in Rainier Beach advocating for free public transportation for students to get to school and hustling to save our Freedom Schools. In 2016, this beloved summer program was nearly discontinued after its original funder abruptly withdrew support; the community quickly raised $30,000 to ensure that this source of joyful learning and conduit for student organizing could live on. We believed then, as we do now, that schools and youth are powerful agents of social change.
March Newsletter: Tending the Roots & Trusting the Process
Ramadan Mubarak to all of our colleagues, friends, families and students who are observing! We wish you a peaceful and blessed Ramadan.
March is here - and with it - the hopeful signs of Spring. On hard days - and good days too- we turn to our natural world around us, budding with life and wonder and allow ourselves to be gently reminded to trust the process and yield to the seasons of this work. Read ahead for some exciting announcements and beautiful reflection by our staff of digging in and helping restorative practices take deep root in our schools.
February 2024 Newsletter
There can be so much pressure to make big, quick changes at the start of a new year.
White supremacy and capitalism tell us that we have to learn and produce very quickly, and this can feel especially true during the new year season. We believe it is critical- as an organization supporting our school communities in often crisis/urgent situations - to remind ourselves and each other that we get to slow down, build in reflection, and support each other well.
January 2024 - Newsletter Pause: Global Strike
It is a new year, and we find ourselves greeting it the way many others are: holding both heaviness and hope.
We grieve and rage at the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people (a siege that has now surpassed 100 days) and we ground ourselves in the acts of solidarity that have been building across the world.
Journalist Bisan Owda has called for a global strike January 21-28, so our regular newsletter will make its appearance next month.
December 2023 Newsletter
Read the latest updates from our December 2023 newsletter. School Partner Spotlight: Restorative Justice at John Muir Elementary School, Giving Tuesday Thank You & Update, WA-BLOC Holiday Pause!
November 2023 Newsletter
Read the latest updates from our November 2023 newsletter. Building restorative school communities in Seattle Public Schools, check out our new site, we’re hiring a part-time Development Manager!, and Giving Tuesday!