District Equity Review findings and identified focus

As you may remember, last school year, the district conducted a review focusing on racial equity, with the goal of making sure that all of our students and staff have access, opportunities and a sense of belonging in our district. 

What We Heard

When we shared the findings and recommendations of the review, we asked staff and families to tell us what was most important as the district moves forward with this work. Based on what we heard, our first steps will focus on helping staff and students in our district build meaningful relationships across different backgrounds. Here are the things the Five Star District is tackling first as part of this work:

• Implementing professional learning for staff to help them better connect with and support all students, families and coworkers from different backgrounds, including but not limited to, diverse races, languages, genders, sexual orientations, cultural differences, and economics. This professional learning will start with district and school leaders.

• Communicate school and district information consistently, accessibly, clearly and equitably. This can include things like ensuring families receive important information in language that is easily understandable and in their native language. 

Responding to the Use of Racial Slurs

One of the concerns we heard most frequently from students, families and staff during the review last year was the use of racial slurs in school. Racial slurs and hate speech have no place in the Five Star District. In our commitment to ensure an inclusive learning environment, we will be taking steps to ensure that all of our students, staff and families understand respectful language by providing resources. Click here to see some of these resources. 

How You Can Be A Part Of This Work

We want to make sure our students, families and staff have their voices heard during this process. Here are some opportunities for you to be involved:

Attend Our First Cultivating Community Event *NEW DATE*

Join us on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at our FutureForward at Washington Square campus. You will have the opportunity to tour the building and hear first hand from students about the district’s different career and technical program offerings. Our superintendent, along with the office of Equity and Engagement, will wrap up our evening with an update on the ongoing equity work in the Five Star District. Click here to reserve your spot today.

Serve on Our Equity and Engagement Committee
This committee includes family members, staff, students and community members, and offers district leaders insight and support about how to create safe, equitable and inclusive learning environments. Applications for this committee are now closed.

To translate the interest forms into a language other than English, please do the following: 

1. Right click anywhere in the form
2. Select "translate to English" 
3. Click on the three little dots in the popup window 
4. Click on "Choose another language"
5. Click on your desired language