A. The Westfield Public School District has a longstanding commitment to providing diverse educational experiences surrounding themes of inclusiveness, fairness, and equity, enhancing student engagement, and creating a respectful community of learners, beginning with the District's Mission:
The Westfield Public School District, in partnership with families and the community, educates all students to reach their highest potential as productive, well-rounded and engaged citizens who value individual differences and embrace diversity.
In June 2023, the Board of Education approved the Goals and Objectives for the district's 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. Goal 3 seeks to increase diversity, equity, and inclusivity across academic and extracurricular programs.
A: On Monday, March 1, 2021, New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy signed a law requiring all school districts to incorporate age-appropriate instruction "on diversity and inclusion in an appropriate place in the curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through 12" under the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
A: The Racial Literacy Initiative was unveiled in September 2020, in partnership with the Westfield Education Fund, to improve discussions of race in the classroom. The Racial Literacy objectives have been incorporated into the district's work on DEI.