High Desert ESD is proud to continue our annual, organization-wide book club and continue to align our content with our organization’s commitment to equity. For this 2019 We Read, we have chosen Ijeoma Oluo’s New York Times Bestseller, So You Want to Talk About Race. Ijeoma Oluo is a Seattle-based writer, who grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and as a black woman constantly found herself being asked to explain issues of race. This book is a resource for people from all backgrounds to better understand the history, context, and impact of issues related to race in our society. You can hear more about the book directly from the author in this Seattle KING 5 New Day interview.
Through the We Read program, we aim to provide an opportunity for HDESD staff to read, learn, and reflect together. By choosing books that connect with our organization’s goals in equity we are building shared language and understanding through dialogue about our communities and the nature of our work to help children succeed. This shared learning can take various forms and formats; we’ve created a few to get the conversation started. We encourage you to participate and help us build our We Read culture at the HDESD.
Here’s what you need to know for now:
- You can receive a copy of the book by signing up on the form below.
- We have paper and digital format available, at no cost to you.
- On the sign-up form, you can also RSVP for a book discussion this fall, you are welcome to attend as many as you’re interested in!
- You can also join our private Facebook group: click here to request to join!
- The We Read is an opportunity that is entirely optional. You are not required to read or participate in a group.
Book Discussion Meet-Ups
September 26th, 4:00 p.m.
Date/Time: September 26th, 4:00-5:30pm
Location: Hola! Eastside
2670 Hwy 20 #710 Bend, OR 97701
Facilitator: Whitney Swander
RSVP: whitney.swander@hdesd.org
October 8th, 11:30 a.m.
Date: October 8th, 11:30-1:00pm
Location: HDREC
2804 SW 6th St., Redmond, OR 97701
Facilitator: Kimberly Strong and Marci Oakes
RSVP: kimberly.strong@hdesd.org
October 22nd, 5:00 p.m.
Date/Time: October 22nd, 5:00-6:30pm
Location: Madeline’s
2414 S Hwy 97, Redmond, OR 97756
Facilitator: Rachel Wente-Cheney
RSVP: rachel.wente-chaney@hdesd.org
November 7th, 3:30 p.m.
Date/Time: November 7th, 3:30-5:00pm
Location: Townsend’s Teahouse
835 NW Bond St, Bend, OR 97701
Facilitator: Paul Andrews
RSVP: paul.andrews@hdesd.org
We-Read Book Order