SJA Event Highlights 2020-2021 SJA March Out for Mental Health: Remembering Steven Taylor on March 18, 2021 The video below is the recorded live stream of the March Out for Mental Health: Remembering Steven Taylor event. It was a virtual action organized by the students of SJA, where they encouraged students and teacher allies to virtually walk out of their Zoom classes and walk into a virtual town hall on Zoom that was live-streamed on the SJA Youtube channel. Community members and supporters also joined the virtual town hall. This was in coordination with and in support of Justice 4 Steven Taylor. SJA Student Demands OUR DEMANDS TO THE CITY OF SAN LEANDRO AND SAN LEANDRO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 1. ADVOCATE FOR THE CONVICTION OF OFFICER FLETCHER. 2. FIRE OFFICER OVERTON. 3. DIVEST FROM SLPD, REINVEST IN PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND SERVICES FOR THE PEOPLE. 4. INVEST IN MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN SL SCHOOLS. 5. ESTABLISH A POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION. 6. COMMIT TO AND FOLLOW THROUGH WITH ANTI RACIST CURRICULUM, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES IN SL SCHOOLS. 7. LISTEN TO BIPOC YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. 8. REIMAGINE SAN LEANDRO AND SAN LEANDRO SCHOOLS. CHALLENGE AND DISRUPT CAPITALISM, WHITE SUPREMACY, CISHETEROPATRIARCHY, ABLEISM, AND XENOPHOBIA. 9. FIGHT FOR JUSTICE. 10. STAND WITH THE COMMUNITY. SJA and Justice 4 Steven Taylor Campaign Watch the video below to see how SJA has worked in transformative solidarity with Addie Kitchen (Steven Taylor's Grandmother) and community members in the Justice 4 Steven Taylor organizing group, from vigils to city council meetings to letter-writing campaigns to marches to car caravans, there have been victories and disappointments along the way, but the fight for justice continues!  2019-20 SJA Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation SJA Grad Lawn Sign Drop Off Justice for Steven Taylor and Black Lives Matter Campaign and Actions SJA Zooms during the Covid-19 Pandemic International Womxn's Day Celebration (Day the Schools Closed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic) SJA Workshops at SLUSD Elementary Schools SJA Senior Campaign: Think Outside the Bombs SJA Supports Yes on Measure N Campaign for SLUSD Schools Black Hxstory Month Celebration SJA Winter Celebration and Gift Exchange SJA Juniors' Decolonizing Our Future Project SJA's One Love, One Mic SJA had over 500 people in the audience, 30 student performances, and 3 solid social justice projects and class performances. One Love, One Mic was edutainment at its finest featuring SJA sophomores' yOurstory Project, the juniors' Decolonizing Our Future project, and the seniors' farewell performance. Indigenous People's Celebration Transgender Day of Remembrance Domestic Violence Awareness Month Field Trip to the Oakland Museum Latinx Heritage Month Celebration SJA Family Days 2018-19 SJA Class of 2019 Graduation SJA Family Day at Cull Canyon Solidarity Night at the Barbara Lee Center The sophomores and juniors shared their year in SJA with their families and friends by hosting tables and sharing performances. Class of 2019 Campaign #NoMore, Rest in Power Mariah Davis Campaign Addressing Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Rape Culture, and Toxic Masculinity The SJA class of 2019, seniors ran a campaign in memory of Mariah Davis and Mryna Umanzor, and all victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape culture, and toxic masculinity.   SJA Projects for Season of Service, Period of Peace Since 2011, the Social Justice Academy has been hosting Solidarity Fest. It is part of their Season of Service, Period of Peace projects. In addition to Solidarity Fest, the SJA students facilitated close to 100 workshops using restorative circles at Bancroft and John Muir Middle Schools, restorative theatre at our high school, and workshops surrounding the #NoMore Campaign that discussed consent, domestic violence, healthy relationships, toxic masculinity, and gender roles at the high school. At this year’s Solidarity Fest, our sophomores will be hosting different tables focusing on the power of self expression and representation such as social justice stenciling, land is life, art for mental health, a Rest in Power memorial, and so forth. Our juniors will host tables tackling different social justice topics such as the importance of clean water, the seven generations principle, LGBT+ rights, the school to prison pipeline, and so forth. They seek to engage our school community on these topics and hope to inspire action by doing things such as taking pledges, collecting petitions, various symbolic acts, and so forth. Our seniors will be hosting tables that educate, survey, and engage our school community on the issues they are focusing their senior independent, inquiry based projects on. As an academy, we hope to inspire, decolonize, and spark discussion and action. Womxn's Hxrstory Month SJA’s panel for Womxn’s Hxstory Month was powerful and inspiring. It was an honor having Ericka Huggins, Rocky Rivera, and Kanyon Sayers-Roods. SJA Class of 2019 Quest Projects #RedforEd, SJA Stands in Solidarity with Oakland and LA Schools One Love, One Mic SJA had over 500 people in the audience, 36 student performances, and 3 solid social justice projects and class performances. One Love, One Mic was edutainment at its finest featuring SJA sophomores' yOurstory Project, the juniors' Decolonizing Our Future project, and the seniors' farewell performance. Erica Viray Santos, Teacher and Coordinator, Represents SJA on KPFA's Education Today, NEA Today, and at the Skyline College Equity Summit Emory Douglas, Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party, Inspires SJA The Hate U Give Movie Screening SJA Supports Measure I Students in SJA went precinct walking in support of Measure I, a bond measure that will bring much needed funding into SLUSD schools.  Field Trip to the Capitol Students in SJA visited the California Museum and their exhibit, the "Unity Center", California State University, Sacramento, and the State Capitol. They were able to visit Assembly Member Rob Bonta's office and speak to representatives in his office to discuss important bills making their way through the assembly. Memorial for Mariah Davis and Caleb Poole Mariah Davis, a beloved SJA alumna, was murdered in a brutal act of domestic violence. The Social Justice Academy mourned and celebrated her life at a memorial and candlelight vigil on October 3rd, 2018. Caleb Poole, a former SLHS student died in a tragic accident a couple days before. SJA hosted a memorial for both Mariah and Caleb. * 2017-18 Solidarity Fest Since 2011, the Social Justice Academy has been hosting Solidarity Fest. It is part of their Season of Service, Period of Peace projects. In addition to Solidarity Fest, the SJA students facilitated close to 100 workshops focusing on restorative justice using restorative circles at Bancroft and John Muir Middle Schools and restorative theatre at our high school. These workshops support this year’s campaign, “Restorative Revamp: Restoring the Humanity in Education,” which advocates for the building of restorative practices in our district. At this year’s Solidarity Fest, our sophomores will be hosting different tables focusing on the power of self expression and representation such as social justice stenciling, celebrating sheroes and heroes, highlighting students’ struggles and triumphs, and so forth. Our juniors will host tables tackling different social justice topics. They seek to engage our school community on these topics and hope to inspire action by doing things such as taking pledges, collecting petitions, various symbolic acts, and so forth. Our seniors will be hosting tables that educate, survey, and engage our school community on the issues they are focusing their senior independent, inquiry based projects on. As an academy, we hope to inspire, decolonize, and spark discussion and action. Class of 2018 Campaign Restorative Revamp: Restoring the Humanity in Education   #ENOUGH Walk Out for Gun Control, Mental Health Support, and Restorative Justice! Restorative Circles Workshops at Bancroft and John Muir Middle Schools Stop the ICE Raids! Know your rights! Black Panther Viewing Party Womxn's March  Clean Dream Act Now! SJA students held an action encouraging staff and students to call Congress to pass a Clean Dream Act.  Winter Celebration SJA Family Picture Every year students and families in the academy help out at the Davis Street Family Resource Center's Holiday Toy and Food Drive. 10th Annual One Love, One Mic SJA had over 500 people in the audience, 39 student performances, and 3 solid social justice projects and class performances. One Love, One Mic was edutainment at its finest featuring SJA sophomores' yOurstory Project, the juniors' Power of Dissent websites, and the seniors' launch of their Restorative Revamp campaign. The event also raised over $2400 for the North Bay and Puerto Rico! Get Woke, Stay Woke Conference Seniors attended and facilitated workshops at the Get Woke, Stay Woke: Social Justice Conference at Chabot College. #DefendDACA #HeretoStay #UndocumentedandUnafraid Students in the Social Justice Academy led a march/rally in support of "dreamers" who are directly affected by the Trump administration's decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that protects undocumented youth by granting them Temporary Protective Status, as well as a number of other rights and protections. SJA Fall Retreat 2016-17 Events SJA Graduation Congratulations Class of 2017! SJA 10 Year Anniversary Celebration, June 3, 2017: SJA's celebration brought together current students, families, alumni, community partners, and allies on a warm Saturday afternoon filled with games, food, and fun. The academy's 10th anniversary was celebrated SJA style, like a family! Many said it felt like a family reunion! Hamilton Education Program: The juniors in the academy had the amazing opportunity to participate in the Hamilton Education Program through the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, where they wrote songs, poems, and variety of other narratives drawing on primary sources and they were able to attend a special showing of Hamilton at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco. Social Justice Academy's Season of Service Projects For Season of Service, the sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the Social Justice Academy worked tirelessly on projects focusing on the academy's 10 year anniversary theme, "Social Justice: Knowledge, Community, and Solidarity. The sophomores visited Bancroft and John Muir Middle School and ran close to fifty workshops on using restorative circles in a classroom to build community and resolve conflict. SJA advocates for the use of restorative justice in schools, which focuses on prevention, reconciliation, and rehabilitation. The sophomores also ran a stenciling table, photo booth, live graffiti mural exhibition, and the stage at SJA’s three day lunchtime festival in the quad titled “Solidarity Fest”. The juniors focused on social justice issues that they chose in groups and put together informational material, games, buttons, or stencils for tables at Solidarity Fest. They chose issues such as: police brutality, the importance of knowing your rights, immigration, intersectional feminism, food justice, and community self sufficiency. The seniors went public with their Senior Quest Projects and taught students about their various topics at Solidarity Fest. Field Trip to the University of California, Berkeley for a College Tour and Scavenger Hunt: The scholars found a lot of inspiration in and around the campus. From Sundown to Safe Town Campaign: Make San Leandro a Sanctuary City! Make San Leandro Unified School District a Sanctuary District! The scholars of the Social Justice Academy participated in a successful campaign alongside community members and organizations and allies that made all schools in the San Leandro Unified School District "safe havens" and San Leandro a sanctuary city. "Not My President"/ "Make SL a Sanctuary" Walk Out: The youth organized a walk out that spearheaded the "From Sundown to Safe Town" campaign. Field Trip to the Oakland Museum ("All Power to the People Exhibit" Celebrating the Black Panther Party's 50th Anniversary) and Oakland Ice Center: Many of the youth left the museum inspired and were able to build with one another while falling together on the ice. Davis Street Resource Center Toy and Food Drive: The youth volunteered time to experience service providing at its best in our city. "Breaking Bread": SJA's Food Justice Potluck! The youth cooked up some of their family favorites and some even cooked together. Food is one of the best ways to strengthen this family. Post Election Restorative Circles and Actions: SJA hosted restorative circles in Ms. Viray's room that were open to the whole school. There were also actions the youth helped to organize and participated in. #notmypresident #lovetrumpshate Educate to Liberate, Know Your Vote Campaign by the Senior Class of 2017: The seniors led the academy in educating the campus and wider community about the election. They focused most of their attention on getting Measure J1 and Proposition 55 passed. They were a big part of the passage of Measure J1 in San Leandro that would fund much needed repairs in our school district, most especially, the elementary schools, where some of the facilities are over 100 years old with basic structural and electrical problems. The youth tabled, phone banked, went precinct walking, and held rallies on a near daily basis for this campaign! Their efforts were not in vain! SJA Raises $1500 for Hurricane Matthew Relief in Haiti via Doctors Without Borders: SJA coordinated the donation drive on campus, fundraised after school, and gave portion of the proceeds from One Love, One Mic to Doctors Without Borders.  One Love, One Mic: SJA's 9th annual open mic event that showcased talent on campus, but most importantly, served as a platform for SJA youth to educate and engage the audience of almost 600 in social justice issues such as police brutality, the Dakota Access Pipeline, gender equity, the school to prison pipeline, and so forth. The packed house also served as public audience for the SJA sophomores' yOurstory Project Launch, the SJA juniors' Power of Dissent Project, and the SJA seniors' Farewell Performance. What a memorable and productive night! Black Lives Matter Solidarity Action/ Die In: Following the death of Terence Crutcher, SJA youth felt compelled once again to bring the issue of police brutality and the shootings of unarmed men of color with impunity back to the forefront of the political discourse on campus. It was a silent demonstration. SJA Fall Retreat! SJA youth and educators started off the 10th year of the academy building through a variety of community building activities and restorative practices. 2015-16 Events SJA Graduation Congratulations Class of 2016! SJA Year End Celebration  SJA's Season of Service Projects on Solidarity "Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean." For Season of Service, the sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the Social Justice Academy worked tirelessly on projects focusing on solidarity. Solidarity is putting the “unity” in community. Because as SJA’s Season of Service logo states, “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” The sophomores visited Bancroft and John Muir Middle School and ran close to fifty workshops on using restorative circles in a classroom to build community and resolve conflict. SJA advocates for the use of restorative justice in schools, which focuses on prevention, reconciliation, and rehabilitation. The sophomores also ran the stencils, temporary tattoo, and “Solidarity Hands” tables at SJA’s three day lunchtime festival in the quad titled “Solidarity Fest”. The juniors focused on social justice issues that they chose in groups and put together informational material, games, buttons, or stencils for tables at Solidarity Fest. They chose issues such as: the school to prison pipeline, police brutality, the importance of knowing your rights, access to college, gender equity, food justice, and underfunded communities. They also facilitated workshops for freshmen on community and restorative justice. The seniors went public with their Senior Quest Projects and taught students about their various topics at Solidarity Fest and Save Our Society (SOS) night. The seniors organized that event as well, which was well attended and had over 20 performances. Some of the topics include: Chicanisma, white privilege, domestic violence, food justice, mentoring young men of color, in addition to a number of other topics. Save Our Society (S.O.S) Night, March 24th  Solidarity Festival, March 22nd-24th Building and Healing Using Circles Workshops at John Muir Middle School, Bancroft Middle School, and Freshman classes at San Leandro High School (Almost 70 workshops facilitated!), March 11th-March 24th Save Ethnic Studies!, March 16th   SJA stands in solidarity with the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University! #defendandadvanceethnicstudies #talkaboutrace #blacklivesmatter, March 10th SJA pushed for the community to talk about race in response to a hate crime that occurred at a district office located at James Madison Elementary School by holding demonstrations before school and during lunch.   San Francisco State University College Exposure Trip: Scavenger Hunt, Class Observations, and Interviews  SJA Winter Celebration and Retreat at the Boys and Girls Club of San Leandro and the Oakland Ice Center Davis Street Holiday Toy and Food Drive  SJA attends School Board Meeting: Students and families in the academy attended the school board meeting to address their concerns with secondary redesign and the police officers going into the elementary schools.  Seniors' Your Voice Matters Lunch Time Event: Seniors addressed the importance of youth voice and issues and movements such as Black Lives Matter, US imperialism and wars, womyn, and so forth.  SJA's 8th annual One Love, One Mic event on October 22nd was SOLD OUT! Congratulations to the students and educators for an amazing night that featured the SJA sophomores' yOurstory Project, the SJA juniors' Power of Dissent website presentations, and the SJA seniors' farewell performance that brought the house down! Come back to the website soon for video produced by the San Leandro Academy for Multimedia (SLAM)! What a great night! Youth Speaks Visit, thank you to the amazing poet mentors for facilitating, Mush, Gabriel, Tammy, and our very own Tizzy, September 25, 2015 Fall Retreat with Community Drumming Workshops facilitated by Miguel Gonzalez of Talk of the Town, September 11, 2015  2014-15 Events Social Justice Academy Class of 2015 Graduation, June 9, 2015 Farewell to the class of 2015 and Mr. Ari Dolid! SJA alumni from the past 7 years came to say farewell to Mr. Dolid. Hugo Medina's Graduation Speech Family Fun Night, June 5, 2015  Year End Celebration: SJA Speaks, June 2, 2015 One of the most memorable pieces of the night was the song by juniors, Koko Jones and Isalei Aliifua. SF Scavenger Hunt and Ice Skating, May 29, 2015   Campaign Proposals, May 22, 2015  A special thank you to Mr. Toro (our Health and Wellness Center Director) and our administrators, Ms. Moss and Ms. Alvarez for coming to watch the presentations and giving feedback! 1. "We're in this ship together!" Gender Equality in Campus Sports 2. "Precious Knowledge" Ethnic Studies at SLHS 3. "Ca$hout my Knowledge" School Budget Transparency Campaign Evaluations on GoogleForm: http://www.tinyurl.com/SJACPEval2015 Youth Speaks Poetry Competition, April 21, 2015  This, is a public service announcement. To the oh so progressive American people, with underlying White Supremacist logic who idolize white celebrities who profit from exploitation of Black people and Black culture. To those who excuse Iggy’s presumptuous colloquialism and Miley’s infamous twerking, because improper english and twerking are deemed ghetto and slutty. To those of you who tell me that I must be mixed because my hair is “too good” for me to just be black then say that I am race-baiting because I call out your microaggressions that you have used to indirectly attack my identity. And to my strong and supportive black brothers, whose mother’s curly hair, wide noses, and thick lips resemble mine, but hate black women. Because I am Trayvon Martin, you George Zimmerman, haunting your prey because like his hoodie, my dress serves as your amphetamine. But instead of calling me a nigga, I am your bitch. If I do not respond to your constant screams of “Aye Shawty,” I am not angry. I am not stuck up. I am not, a bitch. I am a woman, who is sick of obnoxious men who think they are God’s Gift to the world, because if I recall, God gave Eve as a Gift to Adam. Most importantly, to my fellow black woman From the lightest of shades, to those with an abundance of melanin that I envy. Our lives matter.Peace in the Streets, March 12, 2015   International Womyn's Day March in Oakland, March 8, 2015 Be the Change Workshops at Bancroft Middle School, March 6, 2015 Change it Now! Conference, March 6, 2015 Business Walk, March 3, 2015 Thanks, But No Tanks Demonstration, February 2, 2015 Winter Potluck, December 19, 2014 Black Lives Matter March to City Hall, December 16, 2014 Jennifer Torres commanded the crowd during the 4 minute die in honoring Michael Brown. 7th Annual One Love, One Mic, November 12, 2014  |
