2020 FUSD Workshop and Kickoff of Writing/Art Activities
On January 15th, 2020 the AGCC-Fresno collaborated with the Fresno Unified School District History/Social Sciences department to present a workshop about the Armenian Genocide and Holocaust. The workshop was presented to 40 High School History teachers. FUSD Superintendent Bob Nelson welcomed attendees encouraging them to use what they learned in their classrooms to impact their students. Stephen Ruiz FUSD History and Social Science Manager introduced Genocide Education Project Director, Roxanne Makasdjian and Gen Ed Project Education Director Sarah Cohan to lead the workshop. They were joined by Hilary Levine, an educator and Holocaust specialist. Many educational activities and resources were provided for teachers to use in their classrooms. Some of the information that the teachers were provided with included: The Definition of Genocide and Raphael Lemkin, The Ten Stages of Genocide, Holocaust History and Survivor Voices: Teaching with Testimony. Teachers were able to practice some of the many educational activities and techniques that were offered to them.
(READ MORE about the workshop on the Gen Ed Project website.)
During the workshop, educators were given information about two AGCC-Fresno activities for students. The first is an Armenian Genocide Essay Competition. The essay competition is open to all High School and College age students. There will be two awards of $100 given to High School competition winners. The essay prompt includes answering the questions of : “What are the effects and consequences of the Armenian Genocide? How does it impact survivors and future generations? How does it impact you?” Submission requirements include no more than a 500-page word count for High School students and no more than 1,000 words for university students. There will also be two awards of $250 awarded to College/ University competition winners. Submissions open on February 15, 2020 and close on March 27, 2020. Finalists will be informed on the status of their essay on April 10, 2020. (Click to download essay contest requirements.)
The second activity is new for 2020. Students kindergarten through high school may enter one piece of art from one of these categories: painting, mixed media, graphics, drawing, print, collage or photography. The deadline is April 15, 2020. The exhibition will be held at the Armenian Genocide Commemorative activities at the Armenian Genocide Monument at Fresno State on April 24th. For more information please contact agcfresno@gmail.com or visit our website at www.agcfresno.com.
