Collins Middle School Pilot Program Adopts Boston Celtics Playbook Initiative
SALEM (Mar. 18, 2024) – Elevating education and centering belonging in action.
As part of Salem Public Schools’ vision for reimagining middle school, the Collins Middle School Pilot Program took part in the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation Playbook Initiative Workshop Friday, Mar. 15.
The Playbook Initiative is an anti-discrimination and bias prevention program inspired by members of the 2016-17 Celtics, resulting in a social playbook that facilitates discussion on race, gender, disability, and sexual orientation and empowers students with tools to intervene in challenging situations.
Led by Salem High School seniors Elijah Dejarnette-Brown and Aktrim Xhemaili, Pilot Program students were presented several situations to evoke discussion on the best ways to handle the aforementioned challenging scenarios.
Serving as master of ceremonies and taking part in discussions was rapper/educator Dee-1, SPS’s artist-in-residence, along with several partners including:
- Carolyn Casey, Founder and Executive Director fo Project 351
- David Hoffman, Vice President of Community Engagement, Boston Celtics
- Tome Barros, Manager of Community Engagement, Boston Celtics
- Alex Richardson, Career Development Manager, The BASE as well as a Project 351 volunteer and regional playbook trainer
The Workshop supports the District’s 2023-26 Strategic Plan’s four core priorities, particularly elevating education, evidenced by Mr. Dejarnette-Brown and Mr. Xhemaili serving as Playbook trainers; and the Playbook’s mission around centering belonging.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.
