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DEI office outlines LGBTQ+ training, religious-journeys program and February reading events
Summary
Royal Oak Schools’ DEI director updated trustees on work with the Michigan Department of Education to support LGBTQ+ students, critical self‑reflection professional development, the Religious Diversity Journeys and upcoming district events including the Feb. 27 African American Read‑In and a month‑long Reading Rocks tour in March.
Ashley Phillips, the district’s diversity, equity and inclusion director, briefed the board on professional learning and student-facing programs at the Feb. 13 meeting.
Phillips summarized the district’s participation in Michigan’s LGBTQ+ Students Project and related professional development focused on athletics (how coaches and athletic directors can support full participation for LGBTQ+ student athletes). She outlined recommended actions for coaches and athletic directors: prepare and self‑reflect, set and model clear expectations, proactively communicate with parents and respond and report incidents when they occur.
She also described training with Oakland Schools on systems of inequity and a district program of Religious Diversity Journeys that includes classroom visits and trips; two middle‑school students recounted a recent Temple Israel visit. Phillips highlighted upcoming events: the African American Read‑In on Feb. 27 featuring author Jacqueline Woodson (virtual author appearance with in‑person local participation) and the month‑long Reading Rocks classroom visits in March, including board and staff participating as mystery readers.
Trustees thanked Phillips for continuing DEI work and asked about logistics for events and virtual access to the Read‑In; staff said the event will be hosted in person with a Zoom link to the author and details are on the district website and in the dispatch communications.
