Nea CLC Receives City of Alameda Proclamation

Alameda, California – On June 5, 2018, the City of Alameda presented Nea Community Learning Center School (Nea) a proclamation in honor of their commitment and support of learners (students) taking pride in being themselves. This proclamation was awarded as part of the celebration of June as LGBTQ month. Nea has proven that they are an inclusive school that supports the LGBTQ community and anti-bullying.

The city of Alameda recognized the fact that Nea has steadfast support for all students, regardless of color, nationality or sexual orientation. The leadership at Nea believes that one of the best ways to combat prejudice is through education and providing a safe environment for learning. Nea’s belief is that intentional education around acceptance and celebration of our differences is what provides a safe space, “Where Everyone Belongs”.”

The moment you step onto the Nea campus, you feel the sense of inclusion pulsing through the hallways and in the classrooms. The Nea staff work tirelessly at designing curriculum and classroom space that represents the diverse community they serve. Through their equity work and commitment to a diversity and inclusion model, Nea strives to provide a healthy and fulfilling learning environment for all.

Nea Facilitator (Teacher) Nik Ratzlaff designed and wrote the curriculum for a UC-Approved high school class on LGBTQ issues. This class deals with LGBTQ studies and an examination of the experience of LGBTQ individuals and communities in the United States and beyond. It introduces students to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer studies and explores the impact of social, cultural, historical, and political factors on LGBTQ individuals and communities. The studies also include contemporary LGBTQ issues in families, education, religion, media, and the law. Students also learn about good ally practices, activism strategies, and the way in which identity, particularly that of LGBTQ people, is expressed in the arts.

In addition, Nea has participated in GLSEN’s Day of Silence, which is a student-led national event where learners and facilitators take a vow of silence to highlight the silencing and erasure of LGBTQ people at school. GLSEN’s mission is to create safe and affirming schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Nea is an active participant in GLSEN’s mission.

The City of Alameda, through this proclamation, recognizes the work Nea puts into its commitment to diversity and the LGBTQ community. Nea celebrates all of its diverse learners and staff, as it is through all of these great people, courses and events that make Nea Community Learning Center a place where everyone belongs and everyone can take pride.

For more information about Nea Community Learning Center or Community Learning Center Schools, Inc., please contact Annalisa Moore at: annalisa.moore@clcschools.org / 510-263-9266, or visit our website: http://www.clcschools.org