On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and shared with more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state they had been freed. This day became known as Juneteenth. It serves as a reminder of the struggle for freedom, equality, and justice. The holiday provides an opportunity to honor the rich history, culture, and resilience of the Black community. 

By acknowledging Juneteenth, we reaffirm our commitment to honoring the legacy of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. We strive to ensure that our Black youth feel seen, heard, and valued within our educational system. It is our collective responsibility to dismantle systemic barriers and create opportunities for every student to thrive. 

As a district, we will continue to enhance our curriculum by integrating diverse voices, narratives, and contributions from Black communities. By incorporating inclusive materials and perspectives, we aim to promote empathy, understanding, and a deeper appreciation of our shared humanity. 

To our Black students, we recognize and affirm your heritage, experiences, and contributions to our school district. Your identities, talents, and voices are essential to the fabric of our community. We stand beside you in the pursuit of equality, justice, and the dismantling of systemic racism. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where you can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. 

All students deserve to see themselves reflected in their school experiences. We remain committed to these ideals.  

In Solidarity, 

Dr. Brent Jones 
Superintendent 

Juneteenth Resources

• CHRE Juneteenth Unit Plan Goals Dr. Gholdy Muhammad
• History of the Juneteenth Flag Article
• Juneteenth Celebration Video
• Lift Every Voice and Sing Poem and Video
• Teaching Juneteenth Article
• The Emancipation Proclamation National Archives
• Frederick Douglass The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” Article and Videos
• The Story Behind Juneteenth Video
• What is Juneteenth? Video
• Frederick Douglass “What to the Slave is Fourth of July?” Video
• Juneteenth Digital Toolkit Article and Resources
• Descendent Movie
• High On the Hog Movie
• “A Flag for Juneteenth” by Kim Taylor, Book PreK-5
• “All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom,” Book PreK-5
• “Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem” by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle, Book PreK-5
• “Freedom Rings: A Children’s Book about Juneteenth” by Sharday Moser, Book PreK-5
• “Freedom’s Gifts: A Juneteenth Story” by Valerie Wesley, Book PreK-5
• “Juneteenth” by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, Book PreK-5
• “Juneteenth for Mazie” by Floyd Cooper, Book PreK-5
• “Let’s Celebrate Juneteenth” by Mudpuppy and T. Abari, Book PreK-5
• “Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth” by Alice Faye Duncan, Book PreK-5
• “The Juneteenth Story” by Alliah L. Agostini, Book PreK-5
• “The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story” by Glenda Armand, Book PreK-5
• “Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom” by Charles Taylor, Book 6-8
• “Juneteenth” by Ralph Ellison, Book 9-12