The Lamphere Schools’ Equity, Diversity and Social Justice Committee
The Lamphere Schools created an Equity, Diversity and Social Justice Committee during the 2019-2020 school year. Ten teachers and administrators attended an intensive 4 day professional learning experience led by Dr. Jay Marks, a respected Equity and Diversity Consultant from Oakland Schools. We developed our mission statement which states: “Our mission is to create an inclusive, safe, supportive, empathetic environment for all students and staff.”
Teachers and students from Lamphere High School developed and administered a student survey around questions related to how inclusive and supported our middle and high school students felt in school. We enlisted the support of Dr. Elizabeth Pare, Research, Evaluation and Assessment Specialist at Oakland Schools to assist us in developing a survey tool to be used. The survey went out in March, just prior to the state mandated school shutdown in March, 2020.
When we returned in the fall of 2020, our Equity, Diversity and Social Justice Committee, led by principal, Amy Guzynski, met with all K-12 staff, including secretaries, paraprofessionals, teachers and administrators to review the student survey results, participate in professional learning with Dr, Jay Marks on the importance of creating a place where all students and staff are supported, included and safe.
Amy Guzynski, our committee chair, has expanded the committee to include over 40 teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, and administrators. Parents, board members and students will be included in this committee.
Members of the committee: Amy Guzynski (chairperson), Julie Martinez, Margie Alexander, Katie Monhaut, Jen Creamer, Liz Banks, Jackie Gilmore, Jackie Sosin, John Bourdeau, Kate Vollmayer, Akia Mitchell, Rebecca Crouch, Helene Greenwald, Jane Jurvis, Rachael Dzbanski, Maggie Blachford, Stephanie Lindsay, Erin Garvey, Carly Martinez, Sarah Vrabel, Stacy Witkowski, Kaleigh Sims, Krista Clament, Marni Lieberman, Kim Manning, Will Cannon
School Board members of the county wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee: Anthony Austin, Paul Cavanaugh
Parents:
Major topics and subcommittees- 2020-2021
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Developing a framework with goals and action steps
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Restorative Practice training for teachers, administrators, staff, students
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Curriculum Audit and Cultural Bias Professional Learning
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Professional Learning on Culturally Responsive Teaching