Diversity Committee Meeting Notes

Diversity Committee Meeting Notes
January 13, 2009

In attendance: Nick, Jocelyn, Linda, Meg, Irith, Mary Lou, Anna, Erold, John


Review of Agenda/goals for the committee
Discussion opened with quick review of the work the committee has done thus far and agenda for the meeting. New members shared their motivation for joining the committee: concerns about diversity at MM, contributing to the work being done at the school, desire to come together with others from the community.


· Diversity Evening Event
Members settled on a final date of Wednesday evening, February 25 for the Open Discussion Night from 6:30-8:00 Childcare (through funding from the PGG) and refreshments will be provided. As we get closer to the date, the information will be made available to families through the MM blog and the school memo. Members proposed the following for content and structure: presenting a video concerning one or more of the following topics as they relate to our school community: positive racial/ethnic attitudes, talking to children about bias/racism, school issues related to classism/sexism.

Members agreed to review a number of videos for choosing the most pertinent at the next meeting including: Illusions of Race (A set of five videos focusing on race/stereotyping) suggested by Ruthie, Body Language/Cultural Communication suggested by Jocelyn, It’s Elementary (focusing on LGBT issues in schools) suggested by John, In My Shoes (LTGB families), and Enough (class and power) suggested by Felice Yeskel, The videos can be viewed by signing them out from a box located in the school office. John will try to get the videos from Felice Yeskel if they are available. Other contributors can add their videos to the box as they acquire them.
Note* Please keep only a short time so that all members may have the opportunity to view these for selection at the next meeting.

Other aspects of the evening may include a social activity and/or breaking into groups to discuss how caregivers talked to/can discuss with their children the topics presented. It was also suggested to create a brochure in advance of the evening to help attendees process the video and focus discussion. We may need a volunteer who is willing to create this once a video has been chosen. A final video selection will be made at the next meeting.


· Multicultural Fair
The school Kindergarten teacher, Scott McGinley, has volunteered to assemble the organizing meeting for the Multicultural Fair. Scott has proposed whether we might want to incorporate the district social justice curriculum and/or anti-racism perspective in the vision for the Fair. Nick presented that the Fair will be held later in the year this year and that the current ideas being considered are to expand it into perhaps a week long event or more. Committee members discussed how this might look. While the planning committee for the Fair currently has only teachers on it, the plan is to bring caregivers into the planning process once a clearer plan is formed.

Members considered a number of possibilities for content:
A traveling African museum (Institute of Black Invention and Technology) , storytellers, multicultural events held during school assemblies, a Brazilian Dance Troup performing Capoeira, a West African Drumming/Dancing group, and tapping into the community at our school.

Members also suggested a few ideas for structure:
different educational events which focus on culture as the week progresses, cultural show and tell at all grade levels, decorating the hallways, inviting families from other school in the district, classrooms focused on all aspects of one culture, a week devoted to multiculturalism, a fashion show, parents from the community invited into classrooms to share their heritage, culture, classes choosing a continent to study the cultures connected to it and sharing at an assembly, all focus on one aspect of many cultures: music, Spring festivals, etc. These recommendations will be passed on to the Multicultural fair committee.


· Community Survey
Members present discussed creating a survey in order to gather information about MM community members’ perceptions regarding the needs, strengths etc. of diversity at our school. Nick mentioned a website service called Survey Monkey in which we may be able to create an on-line survey for this purpose. As well, print copies could be made available to community members who don’t have ready access to a computer.

A compilation of possible survey questions follows:

· How do you think your child feels about their classroom environment?
· Do you feel that your child is comfortable/has opportunities to express their beliefs/background at our school?
· What do you think could use improvement in the area of diversity at our school?
· Do you feel your culture is respected/well represented at our school?
· What have been barriers/supports in adapting to the culture of our school?
· In what ways can our school bridge gaps for your child in adjusting to our school?
·In what ways do you feel our school can support your child in maintaining their heritage while helping them adapt to the culture of our school?

Members will choose two-three questions at the next meeting to incorporate into an School Governance Council survey in the process of being developed.

It was wonderful to see a number of new caregivers attend the Diversity Committee meeting this month.
A Future meeting date was set for:
Wednesday, February 5 at 6:30 in Nick’s office. Childcare will be available. Joseph Smith’s daughter has expressed interest. Many thanks to Khalea Glasgow for taking good care of the committee member’s children at the last meeting.

The committee would like to extend an invitation to all staff members and caregivers from the Mark’s Meadow community interested in attending the Diversity Committee meetings to come and join us. Please feel free to attend. The only prerequisite is a desire to engage in dialogue about diversity at our school.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diversity Committee Meeting Notes
December 8, 2008
In attendance: Nick, Jocelyn, Linda, Meg, Stacia, Mary Lou, John


Undoing Racism Training for MM staff
Discussion opened with a focus on the Undoing Racism Training which Mark’s Meadow staff have been participating in. This is offered through the People’s Institute via a grant obtained by members of the committee. So far, the staffs have devoted two afternoons to the training and one more afternoon is planned for January. Staff members present shared that they felt the workshop was enlightening and that there are many things to work on in curriculum, staff training, and outreach to the school community. The workshops have focused on looking at the history/effects of racism and applying this knowledge to our school. Next steps include a staff meeting in December in which staff members will problem solve their “homework” about how to transform our school into a fully inclusive and anti biased institution. Jocelyn expressed that she has had experience with this group of trainers and found the experience meaningful and relevant. Overall, the trainings have provided an opportunity for staff members to be reflective about their own attitudes and beliefs.


Diversity Evening Event
Members discussed a possible date for an Open Dialogue Night and agreed upon planning for a Wednesday evening, possibly February 11 or 25. Childcare (through funding from the PGG) and refreshments will be provided. As we get closer to the date, the information will be made available to families through the MM blog and the school memo. Members proposed the following possibilities for content and structure: presenting a video concerning one or more of the following topics as they relate to our school community: positive racial/ethnic attitudes, talking to children about bias/racism, school issues related to classism/sexism. Members agreed to search for an appropriate video to share at the next meeting. Other aspects of the evening may include a social activity and/or breaking into groups to discuss how caregivers talked to/can discuss with their children the topics presented. A firm date for the event will be established at the next meeting.


Multicultural Fair
The school Kindergarten teacher, Scott McGinley, has volunteered to assemble the organizing meeting for the Multicultural Fair. Scott has proposed whether we might want to incorporate the district social justice curriculum and/or anti-racism perspective in the vision for the Fair. Nick presented that the Fair will be held later in the year this year and that the current ideas being considered are to expand it into perhaps a week long event or more. Committee members discussed how this might look. While the planning committee for the Fair currently has only teachers on it, the plan is to bring caregivers into the planning process once a more clear plan is formed. Members considered a number of possibilities including a traveling African museum, grants for Artists in Residence at schools, storytellers, multicultural events held during school assemblies, and tapping into the community at our school.


Community Survey
Members present discussed creating a survey in order to gather information about MM community members’ perceptions regarding the needs, strengths etc. of diversity at our school. Nick mentioned a website service called Survey Monkey in which we may be able to create an on-line survey for this purpose. As well, print copies could be made available to community members who don’t have ready access to a computer.

It was wonderful to see a number of new caregivers attend the Diversity Committee meeting this month. Nick began by sharing a pamphlet from Teaching Tolerance Titled Beyond the Golden Rule. He also spoke about the importance of hiring staff of color at our school and posed the question of what the committee might be able to do to increase staff diversity.


A Future meeting date was set for:
Wednesday, January 14 at 6:30 in Nick’s office

The committee is always interested in having staff and caregivers from the Mark’s Meadow community who are interested in attending the meetings come and join us. Please feel free to attend. We look forward to your participation.