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District Diversity Minutes

 

District Diversity Committee

Minutes

5/6/13

Members Present: Barbara Clinton, Debra Hogencamp, Ayesha Ibrahim, Joann Martin, Tanya Marquette, Edgar Rodriguez, Eric Savelson

Guest: Deborah Fialkow

 

Agenda

1. Review of the minutes

2. Equity Report Card from Ithaca Schools

3. Other

 

Item 1:   Review of the minutes

The minutes were accepted.

 

Item 2: Equity Report Card from Ithaca Schools

On overview of the Equity Report Card from the Ithaca City School District was presented by Edgar Rodriguez. Edgar has shared this information with the New Paltz Board of Education and Superintendent Maria Rice. The goal of the report is “to eliminate race, class, disability, and gender as predictors of academic performance, co-curricular participation and discipline in the Ithaca City Schools.” It was noted that a report of this magnitude requires significant resources to generate.

 

Item 3: Other

 

-           An email was sent by Debra Hogencamp to all New Paltz teachers regarding the “Interpreting Northern Slavery Workshop.”

 

 

-           Next year’s meeting dates are as follows:

 

Oct 22nd           Members will be given the opportunity to share why we chose to be part of the committee.

Nov 19th          Regular Meeting

Jan 21st            Diversity Cadres share out building-level activities for the first semester.

March 18th      Regular Meeting

April 29th        Regular Meeting

May 27th         Diversity Cadres share out building-level activities for the second semester.

 

 

 

Next Meeting:

June 3rd at 4PM/Duzine Library

 

Next Agenda:

1. Review of the minutes

2. Building-level Diversity Cadre Reports

3. Other

 

 

 
 
District Diversity Committee

Minutes

3/19/13

Members Present:  Barbara Clinton, Susan Gruschow, Debra Hogencamp, Ayesha Ibrahim, Joann Martin, Tanya Marquette, Edgar Rodriguez, Eric Savelson, Kara Seim, Linda Welles

 

Agenda

1. Review of the minutes

2. African American Bench Commemoration

3. Other

 

Item 1:   Review of the minutes

The minutes were accepted.

 

Item 2:  African American Bench Commemoration

Edgar and Tanya reported about that the bench commemoration.

·         Several Duzine students sang “Follow the Drinking Gourd;” a first grader sang “Let the Circle Be Unbroken.”

 

·         A Huguenot descendent sent a letter as well as an artifact -- a slave collar with a lock-- which was donated to the Huguenot Historical Society.

 

·         Dr. Williams-Myers, a professor at SUNY New Paltz, also spoke about slavery from a historical perspective.

 

·         Mr. Odell Winfield, co-director of the Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library, gave a talk on the book, The New Jim Crow, which addresses the massive incarceration of People of Color in the U.S. over the last fifteen years.

-          It was noted that, in most states, once someone is convicted of a crime, they lose rights such as the right to vote even after they pay their debt to society by serving time.    In light of the disproportionate number of People of Color being arrested, convicted and incarcerated, this is a form of social control.

 

·         Artwork from all four schools was displayed, including a mural from Duzine on diversity, and artwork and essays from Lenape.

 

·         This was the best attended commemoration yet.  Three current Board of Education members, three previous Board of Education members, teachers and a district administrator attended as well. The students’ artwork was very moving as were the essays.

 

·         An article from 1894 in the newspaper spurred the research regarding the New Paltz African American burial ground.  The goal is to acknowledge what happened here in our town and begin the healing.

 

·         Resources

-          An on-line exhibit at www.hrvh.org  -  Untold stories of the African  American presence in the mid-Hudson Valley

-          “What lies beneath” -  2013 summer archaeology camp,  July 15- through July 19th from 9-3    

 

Item 3:  Other

Edgar reported that:

-          African American National Monument near Wall Street is an excellent educational experience that would benefit students.

-          The African American burial ground reemerged in 1991 during the construction of a federal office building in NYC.  This is widely regarded as one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century.

-          He will be returning with the Huguenot Historical Society and will take digital photos to share at a future meeting.

-          Tanya highlighted the controversy surrounding the discovery of the mass grave of slaves and how the monument came to be.  It was established in 2006.

-          A quote from a poem by Maya Angelou, Poet Laureate of the U.S., in regard to the monument: "You may bury me in the bottom of Manhattan. I will rise. My people will get me.  I will rise out of the huts of history s shame."

 

Linda announced that One Book, One New Paltz is looking for suggestions for their next selection for this coming November.

 

Tanya announced the following to be shared with the committee members:

On March 28th at Vassar College, the director of the Schomburg Center will be speaking.  Arturo Schomburg, who was born in Puerto Rico, was part of the Harlem Renaissance and founded this institution.

 

The Mid-Hudson Anti-slavery Project is presenting a program of song with people dressed in period costumes (flyer to follow).

 

Next meeting:

April 23rd at 4pm/Duzine library

 

Next Agenda:

 

1.       Review of the minutes

2.       Review of the “Equity Report Card” from Ithaca which is used there to review the performance of specific student groups and set educational goals dates for next year

3.      Other

 

Note:  The May 21st meeting is set aside for the sharing of building Diversity Cadres’ accomplishments.  Ayesha suggested using the first meeting in the fall for members to share their interest in and connection to diversity.

 

 

 



District Diversity Committee

Minutes

11/26/12

Members Present: James Childs, Barbara Clinton, Debra Hogencamp, Tanya Marquette, Edgar Rodriguez, Kara Seim, Linda Welles

 

Agenda

1. Review of the minutes

2. Review of the Middle School and High School survey results presented by James Childs

3. Other

 

Item 1:   Review of the minutes

The minutes were accepted.

 

Item 2: Review of the Middle School and High School survey results presented by James Childs

 

James Childs reviewed the results of the spring 2012 Middle School and High School Bias Awareness Survey results with the committee members.

 

·         There was a very good response rate.

·         The Overview document gives all of the results from the survey.

·         It includes demographics and focuses on sexual orientation, race and ethnicities, gender, abilities and social class.

 

James’ summary:

M.S. and H.S. students are basically saying New Paltz secondary schools are comfortable places to be. There is a dip statistically for African-Americans and Carribean Islanders but the results for these groups still indicate a good approval rating. Also, in general, the survey indicates that students are comfortable interacting with staff.  There, of course, is still work to be done, especially in regard to comfort level as it relates to sexual orientation.

 

In response to the question, “How does New Paltz compare to other districts with a similar profile?” posed by committee members, James indicated, “ This is a great place to send your kid to school while we still work on being perfect.”

 

James recommends:

·         Celebrate our success.

·         Stay the course and identify where we  need to put our efforts so that we can continue to build on our gains.

 

James also asked what the committee would like shared at the December 5th Board of Education Meeting when Debra and he will report on the Diversity Committee’s work. The suggestions were as follows:

·         In a fiscally trying time, when other districts are deciding not to do this work, we continue to do it.

·         We will continue to do this important work to maintain the gains we have made.

·         We will continue to build a culture of acceptance.

 

Item 3: Other

 

--

 

 

Next meeting:

 Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 4:00pm in the Duzine library

 

Next Agenda

1. Review of the minutes

2. Building level Diversity Cadre Reports

3. Other

 

 

 

District Diversity Committee

Minutes

5-22-12

Members Present:  Debra Hogencamp, Edgar Rodriguez, Joann Martin, Tanya Marquette, Lauren Papot, Linda Welles, Kara Seim

Agenda:

  1. Review of the minutes
  2. Bias Awareness Survey
  3. Debrief on the building Diversity Cadre Reports
  4. Other

 

Item 1: Review of the minutes

The minutes were reviewed.

 

Item 2: Bias Awareness Survey

The survey will be administered to the H.S. and M.S. students. James Childs will do the analysis of the results.

 

Item 3: Debrief on the building Diversity Cadre Reports

·         The Action Plan has helped the Diversity Committee bring all four buildings together in addressing this important work.

·         It is apparent that the students have been learning about diversity throughout their educational careers in all four buildings. It is interesting to see the continuation of the work begun at Duzine, and how the students’ participation evolves.

·         Once students reach the H.S., the emphasis is on taking what they have learned and using it in the world; to take a leadership role.

·         The committee would like to let the community know the good work our district is doing. A goal would be to highlight the students’ work in this area in the district’s budget newsletter and/or the local newspaper. Linda Welles will contact the New Paltz Times to find out their protocol for articles.

 

Item 4: Other

The dates of next year’s meetings are as follows:

October 23rd, November 27th (Diversity Cadres) January 22nd, March 19th, April 30th, (Diversity Cadres), May 7th

 

Next meeting:

October 23, 2012 at 4:00 pm in the Duzine Library

Next Agenda:

1.      Review of the minutes

2.      Process for Articles in the New Paltz Times (Linda Welles)

3.      Develop 2012-13 Action Plan

4.      Other

 
 
District Diversity Committee

Minutes

4-24-12

 

Members Present: Edgar Rodriguez, Barbara Clinton, Daniel Scherrer, Joy Gallagher Ward, Lauren Papot, Ayesha Ibrahim, Tanya Marquette, Linda Welles, Kara Seim, Jennifer Raimondo (SUNY New Paltz student)

 

Agenda:

  1. Review of the minutes
  2. Building-level Diversity Cadres report out on planned activities
  3. Other

 

Item 1:  Review of the minutes

The minutes were reviewed.

 

Item 2: Building-level Diversity Cadres report out on planned activities

Lenape—

  • Activities have been planned around the diversity theme of “Compassion, Empathy, and Courage” (theme for 3 years).
  • A pre-test based on the above theme was administered; a post-test is planned.
  • Assemblies included: a play on standing up to help others, a play based on the book, A Sweet Smell of Roses, which portrayed the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through the eyes of children, and a poetry recitation on the theme of diversity.
  • The Librarian has set up a section of the library based on those themes (photos are on the website link).
  • Elements of the Responsive Classroom are present in all classrooms (i.e. morning meeting); “Don’t laugh at me” announcements are made over the loudspeaker.
  • There was a puppet show based in the country of Eritrea.
  • Lenape had a successful poetry residency with Charles R Smith, an African-American author, whose works portray his passion for writing about sports.
  • Lenape had a Hip Hop Dance residency that was also very successful.
  • Joan Pierce wrote a book, Buford the Bully, about bullying featuring frogs as the main characters.  She has done readings and students are making related art projects.

 

Duzine—

  • Student puppet shows focusing on the Duzine theme, “How can I be a kind and courageous kid? Who should I be kind and courageous to?” were held. Students made and used their own puppets.
  • A pre-test on the above theme was administered; a post-test is planned.
  • An assembly was held based on the book, One, which addresses standing up to bullying. Classroom teachers are designing individual follow-up projects.
  • All Duzine students participated in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Kindness and Justice Challenge in January and completed related projects.  A culminating assembly was held where children shared quotes about social justice and sang related songs.
  • Edwin Fion conducted Hip Hop and Latin Dance residencies with the 1st and 2nd graders as part of the Arts in Ed programming.
  • All classrooms incorporate practices from the Responsive Classroom which focus on building community, and developing empathy and compassion.
  • Kim and Reggie Harris, storytellers, performed the story of the Underground Railroad for all Duzine students in an Arts in Ed presentation.
  • Culture and Diversity Units are taught in each grade (i.e. What are the common characteristics of families around the world?  What are traditions families around the world share?).
  • Students participated in classroom projects pertaining to Black and Women’s History Months (i.e. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired artwork in second grade).
  • Exposure to Artists of Color has taken place through the art program (i.e. Frida Kahlo; Jean Michel Basquiat).

 

Middle School—

  • “Mix it up” day was held with the help of the Guidance Department to encourage students to sit with other students they don’t ordinarily choose to sit with to get to know them better.
  • Put-ups (versus put-downs) have been discussed in English and Social Studies classes.  Students created a collage of put-ups displayed outside the cafeteria.
  • “Welcoming Hands” is a service learning project where M.S. students support other students in feeling comfortable at the M.S.
  • Social Studies classes have taught many units on the Civil Rights Movement, including the 6th grade classes who collaborated for a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day unit.
  • The 8th graders went on a trip to Washington, DC where they visited the newly opened Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Memorial, and answered questions related to his life and work.  They also visited the Holocaust Museum and took away many insights regarding human atrocities.
  • 7th graders will be visiting the Native-American Wampanau Village in Plymouth, MA.
  • “Mulan,” a play about Chinese culture and the roles of women, was put on by over 150 M.S. students.
  • Announcements are used in the morning and afternoon to reinforce diversity themes.
  • As part of an Autism Awareness campaign, the school is planning to participate in “Blue Friday,” an event that will raise awareness around this topic.
  • There were many initiatives taken by specific teachers including efforts to make the curriculum more diverse, comparing movies and literature and their themes, bringing diverse cultures into music, etc.

 

 

 

High School—

  • NPZ, the school’s televised announcements, focuses on diversity issues (e.g. Black History and Women’s History months; GLBT books and authors; Autism Awareness, etc.).
  • For Black History Month, a community screening of the movie, “War Dance,” was held, as well as a school assembly that highlighted food and literature, and included dance/drumming stations.
  • There was an anti-bullying campaign throughout the year. It included recognition of students who stand up for others, a survey on bullying administered by the peer leadership group, and an assembly held in small break-out sessions and led by students.  Students also created the presentation and movie clips for the assembly.
  • The school newspaper covered issues of bullying and racism.
  • The Gay-Straight Alliance coordinated the observation of the “Day of Silence.”
  • Efforts continue to make the curriculum diverse including: a unit on African- American literature for 10th grade English students, diversity in poetry, African drumming classes, two Black History courses, a Human Rights course, anthropology and sociology courses, etc.
  • The library works to maintain culturally diverse authors, material, and assistive technologies, such as recently acquired nooks.

 

Item 3: Other

  • Tanya Marquette recommended the book, My Mama’s Dead Squirrel, by Mab Segrest which provides a southern perspective on racism and slavery.
  • Daniel Scherrer recommended the book, Opening Minds: Using Language to Change Lives by Peter H. Johnston

 

Next meeting:

May 22, 2012 at 4:00 pm in the Duzine Library

 

Agenda for the May 22, 2012 Meeting:

  1. Review of the minutes
  2. Bias Awareness Survey
  3. Debrief on the building Diversity Cadre Reports
  4. Other

 

 
 
Diversity Committee

Minutes

3-20-12

 

Members Present:   Barbara Clinton, Debra Hogencamp, Tanya Marquette, Joanne Martin, Lauren Papot, Edgar Rodriguez, Daniel Scherrer, Joy Ward

 

Agenda

1. Review of the minutes

2. Update on Bias Awareness Survey

3. Update on the African-American Burial Ground Celebration

4. Other

 

Item 1: Review of the minutes

The minutes were reviewed.

 

Item 2:  Update on the Bias Awareness Survey

Debra Hogencamp left James Childs another voicemail message and sent him an e-mail regarding the survey.

 

Item 3: Update on the African-American Burial Ground Celebration

The event always begins at the actual site of the Memorial Bench.  An indoor space to hold the event is still being sought.  A tentative timeframe for the event is May.  Tanya Marquette and Edgar Rodriguez will keep the Diversity Committee informed via e-mail.  The Diversity Committee will ask all buildings to contribute relevant artwork, etc.

 

Item 4: Other

The Diversity Committee Members read the New York Times article, "Black Students Face More Discipline, Data Suggests."

 

The article evoked a number issues and concerns among our members:

 

-          While the article provided a summary, more data with specifics would be helpful to understand the issues presented in the article more deeply.

-          -The correlation between high numbers of Children of Color in districts that are low income was noted.

-          The following questions were posed:

  “How does this impact our district?”

              “How do we help teachers ‘bridge the gap’?”

              “How do we communicate effectively with Families of Color?”

-          Data similar to that mentioned in the article is shared by our Superintendent with Concerned Parents of New Paltz.

-          Similar data is collected and reviewed at the High School

-          The District provides relevant Staff Development (e.g. Bias Awareness Training).

-          A number of supports are in place to assist students in meeting the academic rigor and high expectations at the High School such as counseling, homework support, and peer tutoring.

-          The District and Board of Education have set on-going Guiding Principles aimed at addressing these concerns:   To maintain a focus on learning and success for all; to create a cohesive and inclusive culture PK-12, across buildings and departments; and to empower and create success for disengaged and disenfranchised students.

-          The book, The New Jim Crow, speaks to the growing number of Youth of Color ending up in prisons.

-          High expectations for achievement are essential especially in the context of race.

-          Programs such as Pre-K support those students who are in academic need.

-          Students of Color need role models.

-          The number of Teachers of Color employed in the district was a concern years ago. Where are we now? What is the comfort level, the feeling of belonging of the Teachers of Color in the District?

-          How can we continue to support students and staff?

-          How can we attract People of Color to work here?  How can we support them once they are working here?

-          Communication is key in dealing with issues of diversity.   There is always work to be done and we are committed to doing it.

 

Next meeting:

April 24, 2012 at 4:00pm in the Duzine Library

 

Agenda for the April 24th Meeting:

1.      Review of the minutes

2.      Building-level Diversity Cadres report out on planned activities

3.      Other

 

Agenda for the May 22, 2012 Meeting:

1. Review of the minutes

2. Bias awareness survey

3. Debrief on the building Diversity Cadre Reports

4. Other

 

 

 

Diversity Committee

Minutes

1-24-12

Members Present:   Barbara Clinton, Shawn Doyle, Debra Hogencamp, Tanya Marquette, Lauren Papot, Edgar Rodriguez, Daniel Scherrer, Kara Seim, Joy Ward, Linda Welles

 

Agenda

1. Review of the minutes

2. Bias awareness survey

3. Multicultural Conference Report

4. Debrief on the building Diversity Cadre Reports

5. Discuss Board of Education feedback

6. Other

 

Item 1: Review of the minutes

The minutes were reviewed.

 

Item 2: Bias Awareness Survey

A message has been left for James Childs asking him to please send the approved survey to Debra Hogencamp and Barbara Clinton. 

 

Item 3: Multicultural Conference Report

The format was different in that there weren’t workshops this year.  Instead, participants met together in one area as guest speakers addressed the group as a whole.  One such speaker that resonated with committee member, Lauren Papot, talked of his experiences working with inner city students.  His message was that getting students to dialogue and adults to listen is key so that the students’ lives can follow a productive route.

 

Item 4: Debrief on the building Diversity Cadre Reports

The Diversity Committee was very impressed with the work done in all of the schools thus far and looks forward to the next meeting with building Diversity Cadres on April 24th.

 

Item 5: Discuss Board of Education feedback

Debra Hogencamp indicated that the report was well-received by the Board of Education.

 

Item 6: Other

Linda Welles recommended the book, The Warmth of Other Suns, which is the story of the African-American migration from the south to the north beginning in the 1920’s up through the 1960’s.  Using an interview format, the book also addressed what it was like to live under Jim Crow laws and the experiences encountered in the north.  Barbara Clinton will check with the High School librarian to be sure it is in the library.

 

Edgar Rodriguez reported that the Board of Education is sending a survey to all households regarding people’s perceptions of the condition of the school buildings. Respondents will need to identify themselves by ethnicity, gender, whether they are a parent, etc. A “robo” call will be made to inform people of the survey. Edgar intends to recommend that the Board do a second “robo” call in Spanish.

 

Tanya Marquette reported that the annual celebration at the African-American Burial Ground will be in March.  The schools are invited to participate.

 

Next Meeting: March 20, 2012 at 4:00pm at Duzine

 

Agenda for the March 20, 2012 Meeting:

 

1. Review of the minutes

2. Update on Bias Awareness Survey

3. Update on African-American Burial Ground Celebration

4. Other

 


 

Diversity Committee

Minutes

11-29-11

Members present: Barbara Clinton, Eliezer Espinosa, Joy Gallagher-Ward, Debra Hogencamp, Ayesha Ibrahim, Tanya Marquette, Lauren Papot, Edgar Rodriguez, Daniel Scherrer, Kara Seim,  Jackie Sinatra, Elaine Thomas, Linda Welles

 

Agenda

1.      Review of the minutes

2.      Building-level Diversity Cadres report out on planned activities

3.      Other

 

Item 1:   Review of the minutes

The minutes were accepted.

 

Item 2:  Building-level Diversity Cadres report out on planned activities

 

High School

Principal, Barbara Clinton, and teacher, Eli Espinosa, reported on the following:

Hispanic Heritage Month

This is a curricular focus that is supported by school-wide morning announcements/ newscasts that showcase important Hispanic contributions.

 

No Name Calling Week

During this event, students take a pledge not to use derogatory language.

 

Night in a Day

This event focuses on the reading of Elie Wiesel’s book, Night, about his experiences with his father in the Nazi German concentration camps in 1944-45 at the height of the Holocaust toward the end of the World War II.

 

Anti-bullying Week

This event will happen the week after winter break and focus on both the victim and the bully and how things could be different.

 

Pride Works Conference

H.S. students and staff attended this conference focused on LGBTQ concerns, and the Gay/Straight Alliance.

 

Multicultural Education Conference at SUNY New Paltz

Faculty representatives, including H.S. students, attended The Multicultural Conference. Teacher, Albert Cook from our H.S., was a presenter, and teacher, Eli Espinosa, took H.S. students from the Youth for Unity Club.

 

 

 

Peer Mediation

This program is still in effect.

 

Black History and Women’s History Months

Plans are being made.

 

Hispanic Youth Leadership Conference

Hispanic H.S. students attend this conference that focuses on legislation and how it affects the Latino community.

  

Lenape

Principal, Jackie Sinatra and teachers, Elaine Thomas and Joy Gallagher Ward reported on the following:

Diversity Theme

The Diversity Cadre at Lenape is focusing on a “Celebrate Diversity” theme.  They are still in the process of developing an over-arching question that encompasses the goals of the theme for their pre and post assessment data collection and would welcome suggestions.  Their hope is to devise a question that relates to anti-bullying but approach it from a positive perspective.  Questions from previous years include:  How do my words and actions affect myself and others?” and “How can I be the change I seek in the world?” (based on the quote from Mahatma Gandhi).

 

Responsive Classroom

Activities thus far include developing school-wide rules using the Responsive Classroom Approach. Also, an assembly is being planned where classes can share their ideas about diversity.  A Readers’ Theater around tolerance and acceptance is in the works as well.

 

Conflict Management

The Conflict Management program is still going strong.

 

The Peaceful Bus

The Peaceful Bus project which focuses on supporting students in making safe decisions on the bus is being considered as part of a joint effort between the elementary schools and the district’s Transportation Department.  This project aligns with previous training provided to bus drivers in the Responsive Classroom Approach.

 

Hispanic Heritage Month

Various class projects ha, ve been completed.  One class did research on Puerto Rico and others have done a study on The Day of the Dead.  In previous years, students made “nearikas” yarn paintings and embossed metal projects from Mexico.

 

Multicultural Education Conference at SUNY New Paltz

Teacher representatives attended this conference.

 

 

 

Duzine

Principal, Debra Hogencamp, and teacher, Lauren Papot, reported the following:

 

Diversity Theme

For the last several years, the Duzine Diversity Cadre has identified a central guiding question on which to base activities.  This has been done in conjunction with Lenape.  The previous guiding questions were: 

  • How do my words and actions affect others and myself?
  • How can I make my school and community a better place?

 

This year there are two related questions:

  • How can I be a kind and courageous kid?
  • Who should I be kind and courageous to?

 

These questions were designed through the work done by both the Duzine Diversity Cadre and the Building Level Team. The focus is on “standing up” for social justice and not being a “bystander.”

 

Hispanic Heritage Month

 Edgar Rodriguez came to read a story to the Duzine student body in September in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.  The story, My Name is Gabriela, tells about Gabriela Mistral, the Nobel Prize winning poet.

 

Kindness and Justice Challenge

This school-wide event focuses on the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The “Kindness and Justice Challenge” helps students learn about responsibility, respect, compassion, honesty, non-violence and courage.  To kick off the project, all students create a “bumper sticker” that reflects acts of kindness (helping others) and justice (standing up for what’s right).  Students also learn songs, listen to stories and make artwork.  For example, in art class, each child has made a puppet which is then used to act out student created skits about justice.

 

Multicultural Education Conference at SUNY New Paltz

Teacher representatives attended this conference.

 

Mural Exchange Project

This activity is based on the concept that art can be used as social currency t build relationships, cultivate a spirit of generosity, and help heal social problems. Every classroom, after collecting information about what the students in their buddy classroom valued, created a corresponding mural to give to them.

 

Middle School

Ayesha Ibrahim reported the following:

 

Bias Awareness Training

James Childs is providing bias awareness training to all new sixth, seventh and eighth grade students.  He is also working with individual classes regarding issues of diversity which has served as a bridge to deeper discussions in the school at large.

 

Hispanic Heritage Month

The M.S. library housed a display containing resources highlighting the contributions of Hispanics in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. 

 

Aides Quilt

Melissa Gruver, the M.S. health teacher, helped organize a field trip to Albany to see the Aides Quilt. A follow-up project is planned for the students.

 

Multicultural Education Conference at SUNY New Paltz

Teacher representatives attended this conference.

 

Anti-Bullying

A school wide anti-bullying project is underway headed by Kim Sturgis, the M.S. art teacher.

 

Item 3:  Other

 

Edgar Rodriguez expressed his gratitude for all the work being done in the buildings.

 

Barbara Clinton mentioned that this important work has been a focus for years in New Paltz, and that the support provided to all staff through activities such as James Child’s Bias Awareness training is foundational in helping teachers address important issues related to diversity.

 

Edgar Rodriguez and Tanya Marquette also pointed out that all four schools contributed to the African American Burial Ground Bench Dedication last year. This local site provides an important resource in the study of the African American presence in the mid- Hudson Valley (see www.hrvh.org).   The Huguenot Historical Society is yet another resource with a focus on the contributions of Native American culture.

 

Linda Welles reported that Inquiring Minds bookstore is doing a fundraiser to benefit Elting Library form December 3rd through the 10th to increase the library’s collections related to diversity.

 

Tanya Marquette shared the resource: The New Jim Crow:  Mass Incarceration in a Time of Color Blindness by Michelle Alexander.

 

Next Meeting:  January 24, 2012 at 4:00pm at Duzine

 

Next Agenda

 

1.      Review of the minutes

2.      Bias Awareness Survey

3.      Multicultural Conference Report

4.      Debrief on the building Diversity Cadre Reports

5.      Discuss Board of Education feedback

6.      Other

 

Note: The next meeting for teacher representatives is April 24th.

 

 


Diversity Committee

Minutes

10/25/11

Members Present: Barbara Clinton, Debra Hogencamp, Kara Seim, Linda Welles

 

Agenda

1. Review of the minutes

2. Action Plan for the 2011-12 school year

3. Preparing for the Board of Education Report in the fall

4. Discuss the article, "See Baby Discriminate"

5. Other

 

Item 1:   Review of the minutes

The minutes were accepted.

 

Item 2:   Action Plan for the 2011-2012 school year

The Diversity Committee reviewed the Action Plan for the current year and made the necessary updates (see revised 2011-12 Action Plan).  Linda Welles suggested placing information about our diversity activities in the newspaper. We will try and make this a focus for this year.

 

Item 3:   Preparing for the Board of Education Report in the fall

Debra will give a brief update regarding the Diversity Committee’s progress at an up-coming Board of Ed Meeting. Major points include:

-          Building-level Diversity Cadres continue to plan, and carry out related activities.

-          Hispanic Heritage Month was addressed in each building this year.

-          Two meetings a year are being set aside for building-level Diversity Cadres to report out on the activities they have designed.

-          Representatives from each building, including H.S. students, were selected to attend The Multicultural Conference at SUNY (Note: Teacher, Albert Cook from our H.S. is presenting, and teacher, Eli Espinosa, is taking six H.S. students from the Youth for Unity club.). 

-          On the elementary level, data collection continues in order to determine the impact of diversity-related activities which so far reflect growth in terms of cause and effect, and reciprocity.  The elementary schools are focusing on an anti-bullying theme aimed at helping students be kind and courageous.

 

Item 4:  Discuss the article, "See Baby Discriminate"

This activity was completed.

 

Item 5:   Other – Bias Awareness Survey

Debra Hogencamp will contact James Childs for the final survey approved by Superintendent Maria Rice.  Barbara Clinton will administer the survey at the High School.

 

  Next Agenda


1.      Review of the minutes

2.      Building-level Diversity Cadres report out on planned activities

3.      Other

 

Next Meeting:  November 29, 2011 at 4:00pm at Duzine

 

Agenda for the January 24, 2012 Meeting:

 

1.      Review of the minutes

2.      Bias Awareness Survey

3.      Multicultural Conference Report

4.      Debrief on the building Diversity Cadre Reports

5.      Discuss Board of Education feedback

6.      Other

 

 

 

 


Diversity Committee

Minutes

6/15/11

Members Present: James Childs, Barbara Clinton, Debra Hogencamp, Tanya Marquette, Linda Welles

 

Agenda

1.       Review of the minutes

2.      Update regarding the Bias Awareness Survey (from James Childs)

3.      Update regarding next year’s work with James

4.      Preparing for the Board of Education Report in the Fall

5.      Hispanic Heritage Month Plans

6.      Other

 

Item 1:   Review of the minutes

The minutes were accepted.

 

Item 2:    Update regarding the Bias Awareness Survey

James Childs indicated that Superintendent Maria Rice has approved the survey for administration. Being that it is so late in the year, Barbara Clinton felt it was best to postpone its administration until fall 2011 so that it receives the time and energy it deserves. She will connect with Dr. Rich Wiesenthal about the survey’s administration. 

 

Item 3:  Update regarding next year’s work with James Childs

Based on a conversation with Maria Rice, Barbara Clinton indicated that it was her understanding that the district intends to hire James to do training but not to co-facilitate meetings.  James stated that he has been informed by Debora Banner, Assistant Superintendent, that he is needed to do Bias Awareness Training with new staff this summer.  James indicated that he would continue to come to our meetings provided that he is still working in the district.   Debra Hogencamp and Lauren Papot submitted a grant to Ulster Savings Bank for $500 to support James’ work on the Diversity Committee but have not heard whether the proposal was funded.

 

Item 4: Preparing for the Board of Education Report in the Fall

Building-level Diversity Cadres should submit a list of completed activities/accomplishments, as well as student data for the 2010-11 school year to Debra Hogencamp.

 

Item 5:   Hispanic Heritage Month Plans

The Diversity Committee members would like each of the schools to acknowledge Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th – October 15th).  Barbara Clinton will speak with Dr. Rich Wiesenthal, Middle School Principal, and Debra Hogencamp will connect with Michelle Martoni, Lenape Principal.

 

Item 6:  Other – Meeting Schedule for the 2011-12 School Year

The Diversity Committee members decided after much discussion to set six (6) meeting dates per school year, two of which would be for the purpose of connecting with teacher representatives from the building-level Diversity Cadres.  The Diversity Committee will meet to conduct regular business on October 25th (changed from the original date of October 18th), January 24th, April 24th and May 22nd.  The November 29th meeting and the March 20th meeting will be set aside for Diversity Cadre teacher representatives to share their plans and/or accomplishments on the building level.

Barbara Clinton will speak to Dr. Rich Wiesenthal and Debra Hogencamp will speak to the new Lenape Principal about sending building-level Diversity Cadre representatives to these two meetings next year.

 

 

 

Next Agenda

1.      Review of the minutes

2.      Action Plan for the 2011-12 School Year

3.      Preparing for the Board of Education Report in the Fall

4.      Bias Survey Administration

5.      Discuss the article “See Baby Discriminate”

6.      Other

 

Next Meeting:  October 25, 2011 at 4:00pm at Duzine