The JAMS PTSA is dedicated to prioritizing equity in its service to ALL families in our community. Our Race and Equity Team aims to provide specific, coordinated support and leadership to students and their families to help promote equity in access, membership, and events, and to support a strong, healthy, and resilient community. We sponsor activities and events to create connections for our families and community; offer opportunities to uplift the voices of marginalized groups; and provide equity-focused educational and advocacy opportunities for staff, students, and families.
Some of our activities include hosting a PTSA Community Dinner, offering ongoing support to student identity and affiliation clubs, and connecting our families with programs beyond JAMS.
Contact us at equity@jamsptsa.org to learn more and join the team!
Read the JAMS PTSA Equity Resolution
JAMS strives to be a community-centered, collaborative school dedicated to academic, social, and emotional growth for all within a safe and inclusive environment. The JAMS PTSA supports those goals by being a voice for every child and advocating for the well-being and education of all children. The Equity Team’s role within the PTSA is to focus attention on the needs of the most marginalized and vulnerable members of our school, and build connections to bring our community together.
The student population of JAMS is diverse, with dozens of distinct cultural groups represented and a variety of languages including Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and several East African languages. Our students also come from a wide range of economic backgrounds, with around a quarter of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. The Equity Team recognizes that meeting the needs of ALL students is impossible if we do not understand that our students have very different needs to meet. Join us in our work to make JAMS a place where EVERY child can thrive!
General Resources
Jane Addams Middle School PTSA Equity Resolution Clubs at JAMS
Seattle Special Education PTSA
Resources for Talking with Children about Race and Racism
Immigrant and Refugee Families
Legal support
In partnership with community-based organizations, the City of Seattle Rapid Response Program provides legal help, safety planning, and education to ensure immigrants know their rights and have tools to protect themselves and their families.
- Deportation Defense Hotline 1-844-724-3737 (Mon-Fri, 6 AM – 6 PM)
- Immigrant Safety Plan – helps parents prepare for the care of their child(ren) in the event that the parent is unable to care for them, particularly if the parent is detained or deported.
- American Association of Immigration Lawyers
- Washington Immigration Solidarity Network (WAISN) Resource Finder
Employment
Ready to Work is a community-based Seattle program that combines English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, a computer and digital literacy curriculum, job readiness training, and multi-lingual, culturally competent case management services to successfully serve immigrants and refugees who need the most assistance. Learning English and acquiring a good job are both crucial steps for immigrants and refugees on their path to economic stability.