As the 2021-2022 school year comes to an end, the district is pleased to share many positive outcomes from the District’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. In line with the NYSED Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework, the committee supports the district’s goals of creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, staff, and community members.
As you enter each school building in the fall, you will see a new “everyone is welcome at our schools” poster. This poster seeks to visually show the district’s commitment to this work and includes the word “welcome” in the 26 first languages of families in our district!
In addition, to support and encourage a safe environment for all, the following actions are in progress:
- Saratoga Springs High School is in the process of creating an ally program. This will help foster a connection for a student to talk to a trusted adult and eventually offer an opportunity for students to learn how to become an ally.
- High school and middle school student committees were established to meet regularly to collaborate and support positive changes within each school.
- The committee continues to review policies through an equity lens to look for opportunities when selecting materials and textbooks.
- To attract and retain more diverse staff, the committee discussed expanded recruitment efforts and employee onboarding. In addition, a bias training video is now required for all members of interview committees.
- The committee developed two short school climate surveys, one for grades 3-5 and one for grades 6-12.
- An annual presentation to the Board of Education. View the June 9 presentation.
Our district celebrates and honors the diverse perspectives of our community, and we are committed to continue working towards a more inclusive environment. As a community, we need to work together to ensure that every school community member feels welcome and safe in our schools.