Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Scappoose School District Land Acknowledgement
#ScappooseStrong
#ScappooseStrong isn’t just a hashtag. It is a reference to who we have been, who we are today, and who we aspire to be in the future. It is a phrase that is grounded in the concepts of togetherness, support, and unity. The current school year has exemplified the positive impact we can have when we come together as a community of strength.
With recent protests, tragedy, and unrest in our country, we want to emphasize our stance on racism and equity. First and foremost, the Scappoose School District does not condone racism, biased remarks or actions, or the like, and we stand by our students and staff of all races and affinity groups. We promise inclusivity, equality, diversity, and empathy. We must continue to come together, to listen, to learn.
Physical, mental, and socio-emotional wellness was identified as a primary goal when our strategic plan was developed in 2019. We understand that equity and access are conduits of that work. We have and will continue to increase our efforts around equity and inclusion. In an effort to better address institutionalized racism and equity throughout society, we built a diverse, candid, and courageous team composed of staff, parents, students, and community members. The newly developed SSD Equity and Social Justice Team has a focus on professional development, success planning, and performance monitoring. Additionally, the district joins this team's effort by committing to culturally responsive pedagogy. As we look ahead to curriculum adoptions in the future they will be reviewed with an eye for diversity and inclusion. We expect that our classrooms and libraries will be shelved with books and resources with diversity and inclusion in mind. We own and recognize that much more has to be done to support ALL of our learners.
We will continue to welcome critical feedback and the willingness of our #ScappooseStrong family to share their sentiments on such an important topic. It is through open dialogue that we grow as a district and the entire community. Watch for information in the near future pertaining to inquiry and listening sessions with multiple audiences.
We are committed to equity in education and ensuring that our students feel safe and supported in schools. We see the struggles some of our students and families are facing. We hear you. We support you. We are ScappooseStrong.
Yours in service,
Tim Porter, Superintendent
Jen Stearns, Director of Student Achievement
Fair vs. Equal
Equal means the same.
We will not be treating you exactly the same way.
Being fair means that we will do our best to give you what you need to be successful.
What you need and what someone else needs may be very different.
We will always try to be fair, but this means things won't always be equal. This is equity.
SSD Equity and Social Justice Team
Scappoose formed an Equity and Social Justice Team composed of students, staff, administrators, parents, and community members in October 2020. The team has been digging into transformative work for our community that is connected to diversity and access. While participants are growing their foundational knowledge, we have built an assertive 3-year timeline to accomplish targets that will better address the needs of ALL learners; both students and adults.
Target 1: Develop a "Culture of Equity" that is reflected in leadership's planning, implementing, and supporting efforts to close the achievement gap.
Target 2: Leadership ensures that all educators demonstrate culturally responsive practices, pedagogy, assessment, and teaching strategies that will result in improved learning for ALL students.
Target 3: The district develops and maintains public trust by creating and supporting environments that are inclusive and positive for all students and families and engages them as decision- making partners.
RESOURCES
Meeting Dates: 6:30-7:30pm Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6786994135
Thursday, September 14, 2023 Thursday, February 8, 2024
Thursday, October 12, 2023 Thursday, March 14, 2024
Thursday, November 9, 2023 Thursday, April 11, 2024
Thursday, December 14, 2023 Thursday, May 9, 2024
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Current Activities
Introduction of Indigenous Affinity and Alliance Club a SHS Assembly, 2/14/24
My Name is LaMoosh Author Visit, 2/22/24, OPE grades 4 & 5
Diversity Calendar Resources
February and March Observances!
Observances, whether they be monthly, weekly, or daily, remind us of the opportunities we have to make sure that we are integrating culturally relevant, diverse, historic, and health-based knowledge and skills into our teaching and home life.
I hope you take advantage of infusing your classrooms and homes with these observances as they provide a great way for our children/students, school staff, and community to learn, be celebrated, and feel cared for. We do not have resources for every observance, but awareness and sensitivity is a great starting point.
February:
Black History Month
February 1 - National Freedom Day
February 10 - Lunar New Year
February 13 — Mardi Gras
February 14 - Frederick Douglass’ Birthday
February 15 - Susan B. Anthony Day
February 19 - Day of Remembrance of Japanese American Incarceration During World War 2
February 20 — World Day of Social Justice
March:
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Women's History Month
March 8 International Women's Day
March 8 United Nations Day for Women's Rights & International Peace
March 11 World Day of Muslim Culture, Peace, Dialogue and Film
March 15 Equal Pay Day
March 17 St. Patrick's Day
March 20–21 Naw-Ruz (Baha'i New Year)
March 31 International Transgender Day of Visibility
March 22 Ramadan begins
March 25 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
There are also multiple religious holidays that are celebrated during these months that may be a part of your student's experience.
The SSD Equity and Social Justice Team would like to hear your experiences with diversity, equity, and inclusion. Please lend us your voice and share your experiences with us, whether they be celebrations of kindness or a challenge you experienced. Your words will help us to understand how we can grow as a community.
An outcome of our listening sessions was a better understanding that members of our community were seeking a space where they could experience care, connection, and relationship with other individuals that share a common identity marker like race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. Scappoose School District uses the term Affinity Groups to describe this space. We are in the beginning stages of building affinity groups for students, staff, parents, and community members to spend time together, share common experiences, learn more about their culture, give social-emotional support, and advocate for common interests and needs. While this is in development, three initial groups are described below, and we ask that you use the button under the "What Defines Us" graphic to send your interest along. The Neurodiversity Group is sponsored by a member of the Scappoose community, and we are always eager to share opportunities with our stakeholders.
Spanish Speaking Families Affinity Group
Families are at the heart of our communities. Participants will have opportunities to build community with other students, parents, and families who share a similar identity. All involved will share ideas about culture, history, and current social issues.
This group is looking for one or two passionate volunteers, what Scappoose is calling Family Partnership Advocates, to help facilitate this group.
Indigenous Community of Practice Group
A community of practice is a group of people who share a common concern, a set of problems, or an interest in a topic and who come together to fulfill both individual and group goals. The first community of practice supported by the Scappoose School District will focus on sharing best practices and creating new knowledge with our Grand Ronde educational partners. Each time the team gathers we will engage with an Indigenous scholar and create a shared story. We will also explore Grand Ronde tribal history tools and Senate Bill 13 modules.
Jen Stearns facilitates this group.
LGBTQ+ Students, Families, and Allies Affinity Group
More than ever before the ART of Community is necessary for us not only to survive but thrive. Join us in affinity & find support as well as share your lived experience, so that we know how we can do better for you, your family, and the greater community.
Dean Backus facilitates this group.