Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Equity Inclusion Belonging topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Colonial SD reports equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives; district responds to antisemitic graffiti
Summary
District officials reported on April 7 that Equity, Inclusion and Belonging work continues across Colonial School District schools and that student leadership and district initiatives will continue after a recent antisemitic graffiti incident now under investigation.
District officials reported on April 7 that Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (EIB) work continues across Colonial School District schools and that student leadership and district initiatives will continue after a recent antisemitic graffiti incident being investigated by the district.
EIB staff described ongoing student EIB meetings, participation in county initiatives such as Dreaming Forward and Voices for Education, the Psychological Sense of School Membership (PSSM) survey, and a student leadership forum with the University of Pennsylvania. Staff said the district’s students recently presented at community events, supported family workshops and participated in cultural events such as an Iftar at the Norristown Islamic Society.
Following a March incident in which antisemitic graffiti and a racial slur were found on a bathroom wall, district leaders said they are investigating and believe, at this stage, the incident involves a single student. District officials said they have met with student leaders in the Black Culture Alliance and Jewish Student Union; student leaders proposed community-building responses such as assemblies and unity walks. The district said it has reached out to interfaith community leaders to arrange follow-up conversations that will include student leaders and will continue to provide opportunities for students and families to share concerns.
EIB presenters said the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) contacted district officials and expressed appreciation for district communications after the incident. District leaders said they will compile and provide the board a list of proactive EIB activities the district is conducting so the board has a reference for ongoing efforts.
Provenance: EIB updates and the March incident were discussed in the committee’s EIB agenda item (transcript excerpt: "We have ongoing student EIB meetings... we recently... participated in our fifth cycle of PSSM...").
