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Why Consider a New Name?
The South Orange Maplewood School District Board of Education passed resolution 4190 regarding a commitment to renaming Jefferson Elementary School on August 16, 2021, by a 9-0 vote. In addition to public comment at this meeting and the September 2021 BOE meeting, the School Board received community comments via email and telephone.
Regarding the prevoiusly mentioned resolution presented to the School Board at the August 16, 2021 ... the Board is considering a change in the name of Jefferson Elementary school to ensure and model an inclusive, welcoming and respectful learning environment and one that better reflects the District's shared collective values of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. The full resolution can be accessed at the following link:
Goals & Objectives:
In accordance to School Board Resolution 4190:
The SOMSD BOE desires to adopt a new name for Jefferson Elementary School, to be selected with the involvement of the students who attend Jefferson Elementary School and the District’s student community at large; therefore
The BOE directs the Superintendent or a designee to work with the student community of Jefferson Elementary School to seek input regarding the proposal of a new name for that school to the Board of Education by June 2022, Board meeting, so that the Board may vote on the adoption of such name to take effect commencing with the 2022-2023 school year.
Align recommendations with the District’s values and guiding principles to create and model an inclusive, welcoming and respectful learning environment and with Board Policy 2260.1 - CULTURAL COMPETENCY
Make recommendations that are informed and led by input from Jefferson Elementary student community (staff will just provide guidance and support during the process).
Consider names that will inspire children and the community.
Process:
Jefferson teachers will be guiding each class through a series of lessons that will help students to understand the following:
The Board of Education decision (Resolution 4190)
The mission/vision and goals of SOMSD and Jefferson Elementary School
How to align their school name selections with the mission/vision/goals of their district and school
To end the process:
The student renaming committee will present school name considerations to their school's Administration. The names under consideration will be shared with the Superintendent who will then share them with the Board of Education.
The Superintendent will present the initial recommendations under consideration to the Board; and Board will vote and share the final school names for consideration with the public at the June 27, 2022 Board meeting.
Procedures for the renaming process:
Recommendations will be developed using a student led collaborative process in which ancillary student liaisons utilize a democratic process to ensure student voice is heard in this important decision. The Board agrees to consider and acknowledge recommendations that have been set forth by the Jefferson student body.
All student renaming committee meetings will be observed by school administrators and/or designated teaching staff
No naming input from the public may be submitted to the student renaming committee, Jefferson school administrators or Superintendent’s office.
Final Announcement:
Final naming recommendations/considerations will be voted on by the Board of Education at the June 27, 2022 public BOE meeting.
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