Educational Resources
ELEA Diversity and Justice Statement (last updated 2023)
In alignment with the ELCA social policy resolution, we are grounded in the scriptural truth that we are all created good and in the image of God; As a Christian community, specifically engaged in education and moral awareness, we task ourselves to provide safe environments that oppose racism, ableism, sexism, and homophobia while actively teaching appreciation for diverse peoples in an inequitable world.
Furthermore, ELEA’s administrators, teachers, and staff are committed to practice anti-bias education; show love; teach tolerance; model acceptance on a daily basis; set the goal for each child to possess positive self-identity and family pride; express comfort and joy with human diversity; and, embody the will and the skills to act against injustice and prejudice.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Resources:
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Right To Be created Bystander Intervention Training to teach people how to stop harassment with simple and safe tactics we call the 5Ds. Some of their FREE webinars include Active Shooter Training, Conflict De-escalation Training, and more!
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Better Kid Care: Online and on-demand anti-racism, LGBTQ, and disability resources.
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ELEA Queer Inclusive Brochure: 6 quick ways to create a more welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ families and caregivers.
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DEI Definition Infographic: a resource to understand and guide our work.
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Race Diversity & Justice Resources
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LGBTQIA+ Diversity and Justice Resources
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Disability Diversity and Justice Resources
ELCA statement on Mental Health Awareness, May 2021
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Mental Health Resources
- Mental Health in our schools and centers - curated resources for caring for the mental health of our students, staff, and congregations.
Bullying Prevention Resources
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Teaching Tolerance: Programs to help students learn respect for differences and bolster teacher practice
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The Trevor Project: A non-profit organization promoting acceptance and preventing suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. Offering resources and support to help those in need. And if you or someone you know needs help, call their national lifeline at 866-488-7386.
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PACER Center's Kids Against Bullying: A website for kids in grades 2-6 offers interactive polls, games, contests, and videos to help bullies and those who are bullied.
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Stop Bullying Now!: This website is designed for kids and offers various games and webisodes teaching bullying prevention. It provides valuable information about cyberbullying and includes a section for adults who want to use Stop Bullying Now resources to help children. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sponsors the website.
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Coalition for Children: The Coalition for Children collaborates with organizations and individuals to provide effective prevention programming that enhances the well-being of children, families, and society in a culturally diverse manner.
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GLSEN: National organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. The website includes a section for students and anti-bullying resources.
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Operation Respect: An organization dedicated to creating a safe and respectful environment for children and young people to learn and develop academically, socially, and emotionally. Working towards eliminating bullying, ridicule, and violence and promoting a compassionate atmosphere. Their initiatives include The Don't Laugh at Me Project.
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TeachersFirst Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention Resources: A site directed at educators with links to resources about bullying – some links may duplicate what's here, but this site's focus is on teachers and lessons they can use or develop.
Safe and Healthy Relationships Guides
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Youth Guide: this four-session guide is designed for upper elementary, middle, and high school youth, to be used in schools, confirmation classes, and youth groups.
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Leader’s Guide: detailed instructions for youth leaders, pastors or other church leaders to facilitate these four sessions. Cherish All Children is also available to support you in leading these sessions.
Educational Software and Resources
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Teaching Tolerance: Programs to help students learn respect for differences and bolster teacher practice
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The Trevor Project: A non-profit organization promoting acceptance and preventing suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. Offering resources and support to help those in need. And if you or someone you know needs help, call their national lifeline at 866-488-7386.
-
PACER Center's Kids Against Bullying: A website for kids in grades 2-6 offers interactive polls, games, contests, and videos to help bullies and those who are bullied.
-
Stop Bullying Now!: This website is designed for kids and offers various games and webisodes teaching bullying prevention. It provides valuable information about cyberbullying and includes a section for adults who want to use Stop Bullying Now resources to help children. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sponsors the website.
-
Coalition for Children: The Coalition for Children collaborates with organizations and individuals to provide effective prevention programming that enhances the well-being of children, families, and society in a culturally diverse manner.
-
GLSEN: National organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. The website includes a section for students and anti-bullying resources.
-
Operation Respect: An organization dedicated to creating a safe and respectful environment for children and young people to learn and develop academically, socially, and emotionally. Working towards eliminating bullying, ridicule, and violence and promoting a compassionate atmosphere. Their initiatives include The Don't Laugh at Me Project.
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TeachersFirst Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention Resources: A site directed at educators with links to resources about bullying – some links may duplicate what's here, but this site's focus is on teachers and lessons they can use or develop.
Helping Children with Fear and Loss
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Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting – American Psychological Association
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Gun Violence Resources from the Society of Pediatric Nurses– Society of Pediatric Nurses
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NAEYC Resources:
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The Family Resource Center:
Native & Dual Language Resources
Resources for Teachers and Students / Recursos para Profesores y Estudiantes
If you would like to suggest resources for this page please email info@elcaschools.org / Si desea sugerir recursos para esta página, envíe un correo electrónico info@elcaschools.org.
American Bible Society Large selection of Bibles and stories for children in Spanish.
Augsburg Fortress The basics: Catechism, Hymnals, Certificates for major milestones etc.
Centering Corporation Provides extensive, excellent resources for children and families grieving the loss of a loved one, including pets and divorce.
Cokesbury, the publishing house for the Methodist church offers resources for children’s ministry in Spanish
Dan Erlander Classics @ Augsburg Fortress
- Hay Un Lugar para Ti: A Place for You- My Holy Communion Book Bilingual Edition
- Bautizados-Vivimos: Baptized We Live
HISTORIAS BÍBLICAS DE JESÚS PARA NIÑOS: The Jesus Storybook Bible. A favorite!
Three versions- Spanish/English combined, Spanish or English only. Perfect for households where children primarily speak English and adults’ primary language is Spanish. Not just for children, but for the entire household to learn the overarching narrative of our faith. Also available on Amazon.
https://www.sallylloyd-jones.com/books/jesus-storybook-bible/historias-biblicas-de-jesus/
Libros en Espanol: Godly Play helps children explore their faith through story, language, wonder and play.
Safe Guarding God’s Children in Spanish and English.
Safe Guarding God’s Children is a comprehensive training specifically to prevent sexual abuse of children and the vulnerable among us in our congregations. Training is best offered as one element of creating safe space and safe relationships for all children/youth and adults in our schools and centers.
https://www.cpg.org/active-clergy/insurance/preventing-sexual-misconduct/purchasing/
Supporting Emergent Bilingual Children
Native Reads - works written by Native authors to promote sound education about Indigenous communities and tribal nations
Linda Staats, www.homegrownfaith.net, is credited for the curation of many resources on this page.