Shenandoah County Public Schools Diversity Plan 2010-2015

Table of Contents Foreword Mission & Stance

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Shenandoah County Schools Diversity Plan Goal 1: Curriculum Development Objective 1: Objective 2: Objective 3: Objective 4: Objective 5: Objective 6: Objective 7: Objective 8: Objective 9:

To encourage multicultural activities To establish a school-based Diversity Committee To improve multicultural awareness To ensure that subject area content reflects diverse populations To enhance the division-wide curriculum to promote diversity awareness To promote classroom environments that reflect diverse populations To evaluate current library resources To develop a listing of available supplementary teaching materials To develop lesson plans which promote diversity

Goal 2: Positive Self-Image for All Students Objective 1: To recruit a diverse student body in school sponsored activities Objective 2: To promote awareness of cultural events Objective 3: To identify and provide opportunities for students to gain a better understanding and sensitivity of other diverse groups Objective 4: To provide opportunities for students to share their perceptions of the school environment Objective 5: To conduct a school climate needs assessment Objective 6: To renew, on a continuing basis, the commitment from administrators and faculty to support positive self-esteem in students

Goal 3: Recruitment of Diverse Minority Faculty and Staff Objective 1: To increase recruitment efforts of diverse minority staff

Goal 4: Community Involvement Objective 1: To enlist the cooperation of community organizations to conduct informational forums about diversity Objective 2: To promote events related to diversity in the community

Goal 5: Diversity Training Objective 1: To provide diversity training for all employees Objective 2: To establish a diversity committee for the division Objective 3: To establish a committee at each school that will review staff development in the area of diversity

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Foreword It is the intent of the Shenandoah County School Board and the Diversity Committee to provide a document that will assist school communities in their efforts to embrace tolerance of different traditions and perspectives including but not limited to age, race, culture, gender identity, religion, socio-economic status, sexual orientation (perceived or known) and people with disabilities, thus ensuring respect for all cultures, dignity for all communities, and justice for all. It is strongly suggested that employees and students not limit their experiences to the strategies in this plan, but that they explore alternatives and strategies best suited to their schools’ needs.

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Mission Statement In an ever-changing society, it is necessary for the Shenandoah County Public Schools to prepare its students to live and learn in a diverse world. This document will serve as a model to provide a positive learning and working environment for all students and employees. Schools will be expected to develop, implement, and monitor procedures which provide meaningful multicultural and diversified educational opportunities for the students of Shenandoah County.

Stance Shenandoah County Public Schools is committed to the principles and practices of education that recognize and celebrate diversity as an essential ingredient to the success of a democratic society and to the fulfillment of the school division’s mission to “Prepare each student for a future of life-long learning.” This commitment is directed toward the elimination of prejudice and racism and the removal of cultural barriers wherever they may exist throughout Shenandoah County, including intentional or unintentional discriminatory practices in classrooms, schools, offices, and other work places. As defined by Merriam-Webster, culture is the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group. The goal of the Shenandoah County Public Schools is to prepare students to live and work in a global, multicultural society by creating and supporting a teaching-learning environment where all employees and students understand and value commonalties and differences within and across various cultures in order to produce a harmonious community of lifelong learners. Contributions to the educational process will require staff, students, parents, and community involvement as well as inter-agency collaboration. Shenandoah County Public Schools is committed to providing opportunities for all students and staff to learn about various cultures and to improve their skills in crosscultural communication. The school system shall continue to promote a diverse work force to maintain a school division that is free of prejudice and illegal discrimination in all aspects of employment.

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Shenandoah County Public Schools Diversity Plan Goal I:

Develop a comprehensive curriculum that is inclusive, reflects multicultural diversity, and promotes contributions by all races, creeds, and cultures

Objective 1:

To encourage staff to include multicultural activities in professional development plans

Strategy 1.1

Appropriate cultural diversity activities (e.g., assemblies, guest speakers, guest performances, etc.) should be included as part of staff development plans.

Objective 2:

To establish a school-based Diversity Committee to ensure that a comprehensive cultural diversity curriculum is implemented at all levels

Strategy 2.1

Staff will identify diverse minority resource persons available to serve on the Cultural Diversity Committee.

Strategy 2.2:

The Cultural Diversity Committee will communicate with student liaisons selected from the student body.

Objective 3:

To improve cultural awareness for all students throughout the year

Strategy 3.1:

Students and staff should be exposed to instructional and extracurricular activities that will enhance cultural awareness.

Objective 4:

To ensure that subject area content reflects diverse populations when and where appropriate

Strategy 4.1:

Instructional materials should be reviewed for cultural diversity content.

Strategy 4.2:

Titles and content of multicultural courses should be reviewed.

Strategy 4.3:

Recommendations for potential multicultural courses should be made to the building principal.

Objective 5:

To enhance the curriculum to reflect diversity

Strategy 5.1:

Teachers should consider units of study that emphasize age, race, culture, gender identity, religion, socio-economic status, sexual orientation (perceived or known), and people with disabilities.

Strategy 5.2:

The Division should consider dual enrollment opportunities with local community colleges, colleges, and universities.

Strategy 5.3:

Emphasis on cultural diversity should be embedded in the current curriculum when and where appropriate.

Objective 6:

To promote classroom environments and materials that reflect diverse populations

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Strategy 6.1:

Relevant instructional materials that reflect diversity, e.g., posters, books, workbooks, movies/videos, and other multimedia resources, should be identified and obtained.

Objective 7:

To evaluate current library resources to include additional diversity materials as needed

Strategy 7.1:

School librarians should obtain diversity materials and organize them in the library in a search-friendly system.

Objective 8:

To develop a listing of available supplementary and on-line resources that reflect diversity and promote contributions by a variety of communities

Strategy 8.1:

A list of suggested supplementary materials that can be used to promote diversity should be developed.

Objective 9:

To encourage all teachers to develop lesson plans that promote contributions made by a variety of cultures and to identify SOL objectives pertinent to cultural diversity

Strategy 9.1:

Teachers should identify and circulate ideas and strategies to other teachers.

Goal II:

Provide an environment that aids in the development of a positive selfimage for all students

Objective 1:

To continue to encourage recruitment of a diverse student body in schoolsponsored activities

Strategy 1.1:

Club members will continue to invite students of different diverse backgrounds to club meetings and to encourage their participation in activities such as Diversity Days, plays, ropes course activities, etc.

Objective 2:

To promote awareness of cultural significance through recognition of anniversaries, accomplishments, and events

Strategy 2.1:

Schools should celebrate diverse accomplishments and events throughout the year.

Strategy 2.2:

Multicultural activities should be promoted on each campus. Community events, as well as school-sponsored events with the community invited to attend, are recommended.

Strategy 2.3:

Staff should create a grade-level, school-wide and/or community-based list of diversity resources and programs.

Objective 3:

To identify and provide opportunities for students to gain a better understanding and sensitivity of other diverse groups

Strategy 3.1:

Multicultural activities/programs (fieldtrips, presentations, assemblies, Article of the Week, PA announcements, etc.) should be provided to the entire student body.

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Strategy 3.2:

Forums for open discussions with various topics of concern should be established. Parent involvement is highly recommended.

Objective 4:

To provide opportunities for students to share their perceptions of the school environment

Strategy 4.1:

A School Climate Committee composed of students, teachers, administrators, and parents, should be established at each school. All students should be represented if possible.

Objective 5:

To conduct a school climate needs assessment

Strategy 5.1:

Staff should give consideration to school climate surveys for grades two through twelve.

Objective 6:

To continually renew the commitment from administrators and faculty to support positive self-esteem in students

Strategy 6.1:

Staff meetings should include diversity discussions with school administrators to reinforce diversity goals.

Strategy 6.2:

Diversity activities designed to improve school morale should be promoted.

Goal III:

Develop a program that actively recruits diverse minority faculty and staff

Objective 1:

To increase recruitment efforts of diverse minority staff

Strategy 1.1:

The SCPS should advertise vacancies with the Virginia Department of Education.

Strategy 1.2:

The Division should advertise vacancies with teacher education colleges that have a significant diverse minority population, e.g., Norfolk St., Hampton University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Morgan State, Winston-Salem State, etc.

Strategy 1.3:

The Division should establish Aspiring Teacher and Career Switcher programs which recruit diverse minority faculty and staff.

Strategy 1.4:

The Division should develop and train recruitment teams.

Strategy 1.5:

The Division should participate in Recruitment Fairs sponsored by selected colleges and universities.

Strategy 1.6:

High school guidance departments should be encouraged to seek information and support minority student applications for scholarships.

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Goal IV: Encourage community involvement in creating an inclusive school environment Objective 1:

To enlist the cooperation of community organizations such as the NAACP, League of Women voters, parent/teacher organizations, ministerial associations, local colleges and universities, etc. to conduct informational forums about diversity

Objective 2:

To promote events related to diversity in the community

Strategy 2.1:

Staff should develop a format through news organizations specifically for the purpose of publicizing school events related to diversity.

Goal V:

Provide ongoing training that creates an awareness and appreciation of diverse groups

Objective 1:

To provide diversity training to all employees

Objective 2:

To establish a diversity committee to ensure that the information contained in this document is shared division-wide

Strategy 2.1:

Staff should recommend a variety of multicultural educational resources for use in providing training to all students and personnel within the school division.

Strategy 2.2:

An incentive system to encourage staff participation should be established. When applicable, recertification points should be awarded.

Objective 3:

To establish a committee at each school that will be responsible for reviewing staff development information and will recommend individuals who are available to conduct diversity training in the school system

Strategy 3.1:

Committee’s membership should include parents of minority students and other community members.

Strategy 3.2:

Committees may work in conjunction with James Madison University’s Multicultural Affairs Committee to coordinate a cooperative program that would provide access to quality multicultural staff development programs.

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