Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Equity Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District officials and school staff highlight engagement efforts during equity block
Summary
During an equity-focused session April 8, Harlem Consolidated School District #122 administrators and building representatives described student engagement strategies, family literacy events and training for staff supporting students with autism.
Chair Mike Sterling opened the Committee of the Whole meeting of Harlem Consolidated School District #122 at 4:30 p.m., and the board moved into an approximately 60-minute equity block led by Assistant Superintendent for Communication and Community Relations Dr. Jason Blume.
Dr. Jason Blume convened the equity team, which included school-site representatives and the union designee Leah Krippner. High School representative Dr. Jeremy Bois described recent Spirit Week events, the Special Olympics basketball showcase and upcoming senior activities, including Senior Awards May 12 and graduation May 23.
Middle School representative Jason Ware introduced teacher Renaldo Cooper, who presented "The Art of Engagement," urging teachers to match instruction to students’ needs, understand the learning environment and recognize when to pause instruction to avoid student overload.
Building representatives across the district reported family engagement activities and classroom strategies: Christy Grace described a high-turnout family literacy night featuring the Discovery Center; Erin Anderson presented Parker Center’s dinosaur-themed units, field trips and paleontology activities; Holly Perino outlined first-grade literacy work and enrichment trips; and Ryan Reinecke said Rock Cut focuses on broadening students’ exposure beyond the classroom.
Windsor representative Kasie Kosinski reported a rise in students with autism and described staff training on identifying and safely addressing stimming behaviors while promoting self-correction. Maple’s representative emphasized maintaining PBIS expectations and normal routines in a building set to close.
The equity block closed with announcements about monthly themes and the next equity meeting was set for May 13, 2026. No formal votes were recorded during the equity presentations.
