Background

Beginning in the 2017-18 school year, the District responded to parent and student concerns around school culture, as well as disciplinary incidents where the race and ethnicity of students involved played a role. Since then, the District has committed to leading with racial equity as a way to transform the culture and climate of the SBLSD so that every adult and student in the district acts upon our shared values of empathy, inclusion, acceptance and success for ALL students.

Through the Equity Advisory Council and professional learning opportunities, the District continues to live into the promise that we will know, value, and support every student, helping them graduate ready to pursue a promising future.

To keep that promise, we believe in equipping our staff with the tools and resources they need to serve 21st Century learners, which includes, but is not limited to understanding the ways we promote a district culture of fair and inclusive practices, where each student receives equitable access to the opportunities and resources to succeed and thrive.

Our training on October 18, 2021 that will be offered to all staff, certificated and classified in phases, is making good on this promise and in keeping with Senate Bill (SB) 5044, which was signed into law on May 5, 2021.

What are the goals for the day?

The hope is to build a common understanding and shared purpose for our work as district staff, with a particular focus on the ways that equity and student success are centered in our work throughout the district.

Here is a sample agenda.

Who is leading this training?

This day of learning was developed and will be led by a team, which includes our partners with the Puget Sound Educational Service DIstrict (PSESD), members of the SBLSD central office staff, and building administrators and teacher leads.