Dear Parents/Guardians, We are happy to announce that BMR students, faculty, and staff will be participating in a One School, One Theme summer reading endeavor. This year’s theme is “Together in Crisis.” While this theme originated from our time amidst a pandemic, the nation-wide protests calling for a deeper awareness of how racism affects our country led us to a focus on the crisis of racism and how we can actively become an anti-racist community. Through an inclusive process of book selection, and the ultimate decision to give students a choice between several highly popular books, we have come up with the following options:
I'm Not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds
Blindspot by Anthony Greenwald and Mahzarin Banaji
Just Mercy by Brian Stephenson
The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
This year, students will also have the opportunity to submit an independent proposal for a book of their choosing that centers around the theme of people standing “together in crisis.” To do this, students must submit their proposal using an online Google Form by the end of June. It is our hope that this approach will generate the greatest possible participation. Upon return to school in the fall, BMR students will participate in a day of workshops devoted to standing together in crisis. This experience is intended to be a celebration of community here at BMR. Students will also complete an exploratory project in their assigned English class in the fall. This project will also center around the importance of standing together in times of crisis. THEME: Together in Crisis (click here for the Flyer, https://tinyurl.com/ydh25o2y). Requirements for students: -Read ONE of the three summer book options OR submit an online Google Form by the end of June. -Have a good working knowledge of the plot, characters, and theme of being together in crisis presented in the book. -Be prepared to participate in discussions, activities, and create an exploratory project about standing together in times of crisis at the beginning of the year in English class. -For extra credit, students may also complete a 5 Moments Sheet (https://tinyurl.com/ydcnwmo2) Please be aware that, since some of these books are centered on teenage protagonists, or take place during times of racism or social injustice in history and society, readers may come across occasional strong and/or offensive language, which is intended to realistically reflect young adult discourse and accurately portray the times presented. Similarly, due to the protagonists’ ages, references and innuendos to sex and/or violence may also occur in the reading. Please trust that while the strong language, sexual innuendos, and violence exist, they by no means distract from the larger and more important thematic issues of standing together in times of crisis. We thank you for your support and hope our students enjoy this year’s summer reading! Sincerely, The BMR English Department Blackstone Millville Regional High School
FURTHER INFORMATION: This summer, students and staff can select ONE of the following books that center around the theme of "together in crisis".
There is an independent proposal option this year as well if students do not like any of the choices. In the fall, all students and staff will participate in a BMR community day that will consist of workshops, activities, and projects that all center around community outreach in some way. Our community day is tentatively scheduled for 9/25/20.