June 21, 2019
Human Relations Task Force members were given clarity on the roadmap for formulating recommendations to the Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) Board of Education (BOE). Task Force members are expected to have recommendations to the BOE for the July 16, 2019 board meeting.
To assist the HRTF members with development of recommendations, district staff reviewed a list of curriculum and activities that schools currently do in the areas of inclusion, diversity, cultural awareness, kindness, anti-Semitism, Holocaust and other related topics.
HRTF members continued to brainstorm in their specific subcommittees. A few of the notes from the brainstorming session are listed below.
Subcommittee 1 - Create opportunities for cross-cultural dialogues that build an understanding of diversity and inclusion
- Inclusive lunch menus
- David Labkovski Project-Documenting History Through Art
- Ongoing intra-district dialogue
- District calendar that highlights more holidays/holy days (when excused absences are appropriate)
- Interactive curriculum (Living History, done at many NMUSD schools, is a good example)
- Sister School, Sister District-Looking for relationship building across schools & within schools creating connectedness.
- Considerations for how technology limits human connections
Subcommittee 2 - Develop policies and processes that support all stakeholders to respond quickly and effectively to hate incidents
- Edit/specify language of administrative regulations (which describes how California education code is implemented)
- Create a summary of policies related to management of hate incidents
- Approve and fund a district-wide Equity Audit to uncover institutional bias and make the report public.
- Create and distribute a parent-friendly document that describes resources and procedures that are in place if a student experiences a hate crime/incident or is discriminated against.
- Analyze school climate data and develop a plan for sharing it with the school community.
- Analyze current PBIS and similar activities (as aggregated by district staff) district-wide to identify best practices, ensure consistency of implementation and expand robust use of restorative practices
- Note that incidents that occur off campus are outside of district purview, with the exception of when it impacts students’ education at school
Subcommittee 3 - Empower youth with tools and skills to stand for what is right and to be “upstanding” on campus, in the community and online
- Read to Me Project (Grades K-3 & 4-6) - Create collections of selected books that promote unity, empathy, and an understanding of differences.
- No Place for Hate: Anti-Bigotry and Bullying Program by ADL (Grades: 3-12)
- Student participation in the “Chapman’s Annual Holocaust Art & Writing Contest”
- Mentoring for Character – Passkey's Foundation
- Chapman Holocaust Arts and Writing Contest
- Bridges writing/art program
- Courage to Remember exhibit
- Show the film Shindler’s List in schools (Grades 7 and up)
- Facilitate classroom discussions surrounding the topics of cultural awareness, implicit bias, mental health, social media (previously done at Newport Harbor High School)
- Social Media Workshops
- Anonymous reporting system
Subcommittee 4 - Educate stakeholders on empathy, compassion and acceptance of differences
- Staff:
- Ongoing implicit bias training
- Identify experts, tools, and resources for ongoing staff professional development to assist in empathetic and inclusive teaching and lesson design
- Students:
- Focus on curriculum that celebrates shows understanding of differences
- Positive Behavior Intervention Systems (PBIS) - needs to be consistent throughout all schools; must include parent involvement. Can be a framework to build character education and civics.
- Parents
- Parent education classes – how to help their children
- Bullying, technology use
- Special Education Services
- Other social services available and support
The Next Task Force meeting is on July 10, 2019, 6-8 pm in the NMUSD Sanborn Assembly Room (2985 Bear Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626). The meeting will focus each subcommittee reviewing their notes to develop final recommendations to be submitted to the NMUSD Board of Education.
The next Community Workshop is on June 26, 2019, 6-8 pm at the City of Newport Beach (Community Room) 100 Civic Center Dr. Newport Beach. Topic: Religious Tolerance.
