SAN JOSE, CA – On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, the Santa Clara County Board of Education (SCCBOE) unanimously passed a resolution honoring the fight for democracy in Ukraine. Since February 24, 2022, the citizens of Ukraine have been preserving and protecting their democracy and freedoms following a Russian invasion. The attack is the largest conventional military attack on a European state since World War II and has triggered Europe's largest refugee crisis with over 3.6 million Ukrainians leaving the country, and millions more fleeing their homes.
“The Santa Clara County Office of Education and SCCBOE are dedicated to teaching youth to be civically engaged and informed citizens of the world,” said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Ann Dewan.
“This resolution supports the Ukrainian people, their government and the democracy that they are trying to hold on to with their lives,” said SCCBOE Trustee Joseph Di Salvo, “The Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools and the SCCBOE acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of the Ukrainian people and honor those who have suffered and lost their lives for democracy and freedom.”
To help students better understand this event, to place it in a broader context, and to support Santa Clara County educators with addressing the impacts of the conflict, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) developed a list of resources and a toolkit for educators:
The SCCOE Power of Democracy initiative, a multi-sector coalition, helps students and educators foster an understanding of the structures and processes of American democracy through the investment of civic education for all ages and in all communities via curricula, ongoing program evaluations, professional development for teachers, and a state award-winning program that recognizes civic learning achievements.
“Classrooms are a safe and powerful place for students to not only process current events but learn from them so they can be informed citizens and our future leaders,” stated Dr. Dewan.
To learn more about the SCCOE Power of Democracy initiative and other SCCOE civic engagement initiatives, go to https://civics.sccoe.org/
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.
For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
