Erie 1 BOCES Students, Staff Show Support for Day of Unity

Posted On Friday May 12, 2023
DayofUnity1
Students share a message made during a Unity Chalk Drawing Activity at the Harkness Career & Technical Center

As the western New York community remembers the ten lives lost during the racist mass shooting at a Tops grocery store in Buffalo on May 14, 2022, students and staff at Erie 1 BOCES came together for a Day of Unity on its campuses.

“Our hearts remain with the victims’ loved ones - as we cannot allow the sensationalism of this heinous terrorist act to overshadow the life and legacy of those who lost their lives,” said Michael Capuana, Ed. D., district superintendent of Erie 1 BOCES, as the organization held a moment of silence for those lost that day.

Students and staff were encouraged to wear black on Friday, May 12, and unity buttons and stickers were developed by the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy (I.D.E.A.) Committee. The committee is charged with overseeing and facilitating that key elements continue to evolve the organization's daily practices that support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Erie 1 BOCES is also supporting the "Educational Day of Healing & Restoration" hosted by Buffalo Public Schools and Buffalo Toronto Public Media. More information about the event can be found at https://www.wned.org/community/screenings-and-events/514-remembrance-weekend-of-reflection-healing-hope/.

Work across the organization will continue in the weeks ahead, as a Garden Supplies Donation Drive will run through May 24 to support Grass Roots Gardens, a nonprofit working to sustain healthy food options in the city of Buffalo. The drive was inspired by the food inequities exposed by the closing of the Tops supermarket in the aftermath of the shooting. 

Learn more about the Erie 1 BOCES I.D.E.A. Committee by visiting https://www.e1b.org/en/about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion.aspx.