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Chief of Opportunity and Access outlines 'Building Pathways' initiative and student RESPECT program
Summary
Dr. Nicole Onye, chief of the Office of Opportunity and Access, presented the district's "Building Pathways" initiative, described expansion of the RESPECT student leadership program (about 104 students this year) and previewed an equity conference and family engagement events.
Dr. Nicole Onye, chief of the Office of Opportunity and Access, presented the office's priorities and a new district theme she called "Building Pathways," telling the committee the work is intended to create meaningful opportunities so students "stay and learn and thrive." "My name is doctor Nicole Onye. I am currently the chief of, the opportunity access office," she said.
Onye explained that the office—renamed from "Equity and Belonging"—focuses on removing barriers to high-quality learning and supporting educators, families and students. She described the RESPECT student leadership program, launched in October 2022, which convenes students for skill-building and community projects. "This year, we had a 104," Onye said of RESPECT participants, and she described the program's design: a fall convening, winter check-in and a spring showcase where students present projects to peers and district staff.
Onye also said the district will hold an equity conference with student-run sessions and nonprofit partners, and that the conference is planned for March 28 (the transcript does not specify the year). She framed the "Portrait of a Graduate" work as a district "North Star," presenting competencies (critical thinking, problem solving, civic understanding) the district hopes graduates will demonstrate. She said policy work this year will include Title IX, bullying and harassment guidance and other regulations developed by her office.
On implementation, Onye explained accountability and follow-up: student teams return to their schools with action plans, report progress in February and showcase results in May; the office collects surveys and outcome measures to track engagement and impact. "They're doing surveys. We're just a survey information," she said, describing how the office plans to document results. The presentation concluded with an offer to answer questions and invitations for committee support in school-level follow-up.
