River Civil Rights Day 2025

Headwaters School
On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, River Campus will host its annual Civil Rights Day, a powerful tradition dedicated to learning, reflection, and dialogue.
Our theme, "Discourse Across Difference," emphasizes the importance of respectful dialogue and critical thinking as we examine contemporary civil rights issues. It's not about a lack of position or indifference; rather, it's about actively engaging in learning and understanding diverse perspectives. 

Civil Rights Day continues to explore social justice and civil rights topics with our afternoon breakout sessions. These sessions cover a wide range of issues with an important lens of intersectionality, recognizing that social and political inequalities often overlap and affect individuals with multiple marginalized identities.

By exploring these issues, our students will foster empathy, exercise critical thinking and inquiry, and continue their journey as citizens of the world.

A Day of Learning & Dialogue
The day begins with a keynote panel discussion on homelessness in Austin, moderated by our own Tia Butler. We are honored to welcome experts from Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) and the City of Austin who will share their insights. This discussion is designed to challenge students to think critically about complex social issues while practicing active listening.

In the afternoon, students will participate in breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics, from prison reform and reproductive justice to activism in the punk community and Native American civil rights. These sessions, led by students, faculty, and local experts, provide opportunities for deep engagement and meaningful conversations.

Special Schedule

  • 8:00 a.m. Campus Opens
  • 8:20-8:50 a.m. Advisory & Morning Announcements
  • 9:30-10:30 a.m. Keynote Panel at Library
  • 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Lunch
  • 12:05-12:35 p.m. Advisory for Morning Debrief & Afternoon Session Reminder
  • 12:45-1:45 p.m. Breakout Session #1
  • 1:45-1 p.m. Break
  • 2-3 p.m. Breakout Session #2
  • 3 p.m. All Campus Dismissal

Day Of Logistics

What to Bring

  • Labeled reusable water bottle
  • Pen/pencil
  • A packed lunch or money for lunch

Please Do NOT Bring

  • Backpacks
  • Laptop/charger (Students presenting may bring their laptop)
  • School books/folders/notebooks/etc.
If you bring these items, they must be left in your locker, Building 8 Lobby, or Building 2 Study Tables until the end of the day. They cannot be left in a classroom due to capacity constraints.

Lunch

  • Students who pack a lunch are invited to bring as usual. Please leave these in your locker, Building 8 Lobby, or Building 2 Study Tables for when you return to campus.
  • If your student buys lunch at the Food Truck, we highly recommend pre-ordering lunch through this link by 10 a.m. for quicker service at the food truck. 
  • Middle School students are required to stay on campus for lunch. We will not do Advisory lunches on this day.
  • High School students may go off campus as long as they are back by 12 p.m. for Advisory. 

What to Wear

Check the weather forecast before school if you need a rain or warm jacket. And remember, we will be walking to the Library and back, so please wear comfortable shoes.

If You Are Late

Students should go to the Front Desk in Building 4. Do not go directly to the Library, a staff member will be available to escort you from campus. 

Other Important Details

  • The Shuttle will run as scheduled for the morning and afternoon routes. 
  • Guided Study will run as scheduled. 
  • Athletics will run as scheduled.
  • Due to capacity issues, this is a student-only event and we are not able to welcome parent/guardian spectators.
 

We are excited to embark on this meaningful day of exploration and learning with our students and staff.
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As a 501(c)3 non-profit school, Headwaters School does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other classes protected by federal, state, or local law in its admissions, financial aid, hiring, or board membership processes.