Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Commit to Act Statement
Mind
Driving student learning outcomes is the first priority of DEI work, and this begins with a strong student and parent partnership.
Our priority is to enhance math achievement and student agency at FirstLine Schools.
Mind
Adopt, modify and/or build curricula that welcomes and affirms each student’s unique identity and values community cultural wealth.
Ongoing work on refining social studies curriculum via our SS Curriculum writer.
Mind
Support employees to engage in culturally responsive practices in the delivery of high quality instruction (as measured by student outcomes).
Integrating culturally responsive pedagogy “essential conditions” into unit / lesson unpacking in teachers’ Professional Learning Time.
Body
Provide safe spaces where students can learn and explore, both physically and emotionally through the use of social emotional learning and trauma-informed approaches.
Infusing Kagan strategies throughout our schools through leader and teacher training.
Continuing opportunities for student and staff circles to allow relationship building.
Body
Provide access to physical fitness, healthy food, and nutrition education.
Continued development of our Edible Schoolyard New Orleans (ESYNOLA) program, particularly focused on maximizing academic integration of core subjects in ESYNOLA classes.
Spirit
Communicate regularly with students and families to build strong relationships, discuss academic progress , and allow parent voice
An ongoing commitment to grade entry and communication with parents about student progress.
ReImagine Parent Partnership Initiative
Spirit
Ensure that all of our community members, including students, families, and staff, have the space to be their authentic selves and ensure their voices are heard.
Ongoing engagement with the FirstLine Advisory Board for feedback on network-wide practices.
Re-launching Network Student Advisory Committee (nominated by staff and voted on by students).
Organization
Use the FLS School Report Card and FLS Network Report Card to measure our equity outcomes and use these measures to drive individual goals within the organization.
Ongoing roll out of the FLS Report Card and KPI process network-wide.
Organization
Actively recruit, hire and retain staff that reflect student demographics at all levels and set clear diverse staff hiring goals.
Launch and achieve diversity goals, along with our rationale.
Organization
Intentionally change policies and practices in the interest of equity: culture, talent/HR, and teaching and learning and include student and family stakeholders in those decisions.
In the Fall, we will launch a discipline policy group, including parents, to review key policies.
Re-norming on send-out protocols and documentaion process to ensure staff and students get the support needed to keep students in class.
Organization
Create an ongoing network dialogue to explore our individual and collective consciousness about race and racism and examine our implicit biases and areas of privilege.
Overcoming Racism training for all new employees at new teacher week.
Ongoing book study across school sites.
