Members of the Newtown High School Students Advocating For Diversity And Equity (SADE) Club recently shared insight into an upcoming Read Aloud event at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, on April 23, from 1 to 2 pm in the library’s Meeting Room, for elementary school students.

SADE Club students are set to oversee the event, which is open to students in kindergarten to fourth grade.

Registration is required and space is limited. All participants will receive a copy of the book Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli. To register for the event go online to eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=CHBOOTH&curID=565227&CFID=40118956&CFTOKEN=fde25148dfaba841-F6133F77-D4AE-528A-53509563FE1A7B99.

After NHS students read the book, activities and a discussion will be held. The program is being provided by SADE and Friends of the C.H. Booth Library, according to an announcement from NHS.

Ahead of the event, members of SADE shared reasons why they are looking forward to the event, why events like it are important, and their hopes for SADE and the Newtown community.

SADE President Saahil Ray said he hopes elementary school students attending the event at C.H. Booth Library will learn “that it is okay to talk about our differences; it is not something that we should shy away from. We are all unique and the characteristics that make us unique should be embraced.”

Saahil said there is not enough education surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion, and events like this offer younger students a variety of perspectives and ideas on race, “which rubs off greatly especially when it comes from high school students.”

As SADE’s president, Saahil will introduce the club and its goals at the event.

“Those goals include creating a more inclusive environment at NHS and in the community,” Saahil shared, adding that the goal is for a community where nobody feels judged because of their differences, but where instead the things that make everyone unique are embraced.

SADE Secretary Lauren Jacobs said she hopes the elementary school students attending gain exposure to topics like diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“I’m helping to organize and plan the event, and my hope is that this has an educational impact that reaches further than just the children who will be in attendance, but in the whole community,” said Lauren.

SADE Treasurer Leah Crebbin said she hopes exposing the elementary school students to the book will encourage them to accept everyone for who they are.

“Events like this are so imperative, because it gives young children a space to have a respectful conversation where they can learn and grow to be more inclusive as well as embrace the things that make them unique,” said Leah.

Leah also said, “I have been planning this event with SADE, and I can’t wait for this story to be shared. I hope this event encourages everyone to continue learning and working toward a better community for all.”

Other SADE Club members said they are also excited for the event, like member Dan Godino who said events like these are important because they emphasize “how real these issues still are and the read-alouds are a good first step towards ending racism by inspiring conversations to start happening at home, with friends, with teachers.”

Education Editor Eliza Hallabeck can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.