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The Olympia School District (OSD) Board of Directors conducted a work session on Thursday, October 6, to discuss updates on the district's Equity Policy Steering Committee (EPSC) work.
OSD Director of Projects and Grants Ryan Howland started the presentation with an assurance that the section is doing well in terms of its programs towards equity.
“We've been committed to this process for quite some time, and it is actually part of our district improvement plan,” Howland said, “We are putting systems structures in place to make sure that we are doing everything we can to actualize those outcomes and we need to bring evidence to the board that most things are happening.”
Equity consultant Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong also explained the concept of equity in the committee’s work, “I often say that equity is a byway to justice. “
“Our work doesn't end with equitable systems and more equitable opportunities.” Added Armstrong. “It's when we can say that all of our students across the district, across the city, across the state, are accessing what they need to do to be successful.”
Board President Maria Flores suggested the committee craft the policy together with the community, saying that they have done it with a first and second reading, including community feedback, but have not yet co-created with the community itself.
“Maybe more important than the policy is the process that we are going to go through with the community and then the plan so that we hold ourselves accountable and we’re able to serve students [who] have not traditionally been served well,” Flores said.
Armstrong added an observation on the importance of community perspective in developing programs within school districts.
“The perspectives and the stories that you have as community members, educators or family members are those perspectives and experiences that you have for that one particular or maybe two or three particular children,” explained Armstrong
“So on the committee, it is just a nod to really keeping perspectives on our mind as we talk about the work,” she added.
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STN
Equity?! Yes, community please get involved! OSD is ON MONDAY is dismantling an elementary classroom that has been in progress for over a month! These "transient kids" are going to be spending part of the morning in one class and the afternoons in another. How is that fair? This is the first "normal" school year in 3 years, and so many kids are just catching up after years of disruption. This could be a significant setback for many students in terms of learning loss and added mental/emotional stress. Contact your superintendent Patrick Murphy and state senator Sam Reed to let them know you are not in favor of this!
Friday, October 7, 2022 Report this
Goodtrouble
ORLA is already the most underfunded school on the district and now they are forcing kids into a classroom of 31 starting Monday?! How is this equitable?
Saturday, October 8, 2022 Report this
wolfmanner
Here we go. Time to vote in a new school board.
Saturday, October 8, 2022 Report this