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Family Community Engagement Event

On March 1, 2023, the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ Climate and Culture Committee hosted a Family Community Engagement Event at Chestnut Hill Middle.

The event featured:

• Discussions about the district’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Journey
• Virtual Presentation by Micron including why the company values DEI

Below please find the information presented at this event.

Diversity is who we are...

Diversity: Includes but is not limited to race, color, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic status, veteran status, education, marital status, language, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, genetic information, and learning styles.

NYS DEI Framework, April 2021, p. 6

A Review of the District Profile

The Data

• Over the last twenty years, the demographic makeup of students and families within the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ has changed.
• A review of this data reveals that though the district’s overall enrollment decreased by nearly 2,000 students, the number of students being identified as economically disadvantaged nearly tripled, making up 40% of the district’s total enrollment (NYSED, 2021).

Current Demographics

Equity and Inclusion is where we are going…

• Equity: The guarantee of fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of all groups.
• Inclusion: Authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities, and decision/policy making in a way that shares power and ensures equal access to opportunities and resources.

Accountability…The Why:

• Individual Accountability: Staff work within their own classroom, build connections with students and families, and personally grow to serve the students in front of them.
• Professional Accountability: Staff work through the PLC process and contribute to the overall school and district growth.
• NYSED Accountability: Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Data.

Rebranding

During the 2022-2023 school year, the district's DEIA Committee became the Climate and Culture Committee

• The Climate and Culture Committee is under the umbrella of DEIA Strategic Intent #2
  • To create a highly inclusive school community where all students, staff and families are provided equitable opportunities and multiple expressions of diversity are seen as assets for teaching and learning. The DEIA goal is grounded in an education system that creates:
    • Students will experience academic success;
    • Students will be socio-politically conscious and socio-culturally responsive;
    • Students will have a critical lens in which they challenge inequitable systems of access, power and privilege.
• Reason for the Rebranding = The Climate and Culture Committee values progress and moving the journey and work forward for students, staff, and families, but do not want anyone to have a misconception of the work and progress of:

1. Welcoming and Affirming Environment;
2. High Expectations and Rigorous Instruction;
3. Inclusive Curriculum and Assessment; and
4. Ongoing Professional Learning

Three Groups of Focus

• Students
• Staff 
• Community

Students

• Student Coalition on Race and Equity (SCORE) - Eight students from Liverpool were trained during the Summer 2022 on work regarding Race, Equity and Implicit Bias;
  • SCORE students presented to LHS staff during the Feb. 2023 Faculty meeting
  • SCORE students are creating action plans surrounding diversity and equity at LHS.
• Community Wide Dialogue (CWD) - First ever three school exchange in Onondaga County with InterFaith Works
  • Liverpool CSD (Suburban SD) = 18 students from Liverpool High School
  • Henninger HS (SCSD- City SD)
  • Big Picture (Lafayette SD - Rural SD);
• Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PRHYLI) - Students are reviewing public policy and will have an opportunity to go to Albany to caucus. We have two students from LHS that were picked to participate in PRHYLI through the application process;
• Equity opportunity - Service Learning and Volunteerism documentation through Passport for Good (P4G);
• Seal of Biliteracy - Currently, 60 students have signed on for the Seal. Presentations are April 21 at OCC through the OCM BOCES Consortium.  Additionally, LCSD will have a state review during the presentation.  LCSD was one of two districts in the region chosen for a state review this year.
• Carpe Cafe Ole - April 2023 (at LHS International Night); 
• Climate and Culture Student Survey - Grade level appropriate (Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) to support buildings on 2023-2024 planning.

Staff

• Book Study - Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning: Classroom Practices for Student Succes (written by Sharroky Hollie) with Long Branch Elementary Principal Jason Taylor and co-support from Executive Director of Curriculum Dana Ziegler
• Meetings - Semester Two (Winter and Spring 2023)

Community 

Two planned events for 2022-2023:

• First Event: Family Community Engagement Event
  • Date March 1, 2023
  • Location - ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ Quadrant
  • Focus: LCSD’s DEIA Journey
  • Micron’s DEI Journey
  • Our Families DEI Journey (Discussion)
• Second Event: Military Child Month Event
  • Date: April 19, 2023
  • Location - Central Quadrant at LHS
  • Partnership with Onondaga County Veterans Affairs
  • Staff and Community Survey on Service (past and present)
  • RSVP Survey to be sent to families in April 2023