Our students will benefit immensely from attending a racially and socio-economically diverse school. While this is tied intrinsically with creating a racially and socio-economically diverse community, there are strategies to employ within the school system that will benefit students (e.g., increasing the number of teachers of diverse backgrounds, increasing the cultural competency of educators and administrators, increasing the use of multicultural curriculum, and building connections and shared experiences with students in racially diverse school districts, etc.)
Goal 3A: Support and facilitate the creation of an Equity Council at RHAM, in the Hebron School District, or as a shared effort among the regional Hebron, Marlborough, Andover School Districts through which the schools can address barriers to becoming a more diverse, culturally competent, welcoming school that prepares students to live and work successfully in a diverse world and workplace.
Action Steps:
- Host Roundtable discussion for school administrators, faculty, staff, parents, students and community members about Equity Councils: what they are/what they do, the benefits for schools, students and parents; what resources are available to assist in their creation and operation.
- Provide ongoing assistance to facilitate the creation of an Equity Council and support its work.
- Support the district/schools in implementing the new curriculum on African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Studies, and preparing for a new curriculum on Native American studies.
- Support the district/schools in responding to hate incidents locally and possibly nationally.
- Support the district/schools in recruiting more teachers and staff of diverse backgrounds.
- Research funding opportunities for equity work in the schools; and support the application for funding.
- Continue to meet regularly with Superintendents, Principals and Boards of Education to check on progress, address concerns, and provide support as needed.
Goal 3B: Collaborate with community agencies to implement extracurricular activities to increase cultural awareness among school-aged students
Action Steps:
- Conduct research on evidence-based extracurricular activities for school-aged students to increase cultural/diversity awareness and exposure.
- Collaborate with towns or nonprofit organizations to implement extracurricular activities for school-aged students using technology and other innovative ways to engage children.
- Research funding opportunities.
Goal 3C: Provide opportunities for parents to learn about raising children in a diverse world.
Action Steps:
- Host Community Conversations on topics related to educating children about diversity and equity (e.g., How to Talk with Children about Race; Raising Children with a Justice Mindset).
Goal 3D: Ensure that in teaching about our towns’ history, Indigenous People, African Americans and other historic minorities are represented.
Action Steps:
- Work with RHAM and area middle and elementary school staff to promote the equitable teaching of history within the various school systems and levels of education.
- Continue support of Witness Stones education projects.
- Work with students to foster a sense of awareness of the danger of a single story.
Goal 3E: Follow legislation as it relates to diversity in education and share the information with parents, students and community members.
Action Steps:
- Partner with the State Education Resource Center (SERC), the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) and the Eastern Connecticut Resource Council (EASTCONN) to inform CoDE and the community about pending legislation.