DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, and BELONGING in D39

District 39 has a long history of supporting an environment of inclusivity and belonging for our students and families. Our statement of inclusion is shared in our classrooms and on our website, and is something that every staff member promotes and adheres to for a positive community.

Our D39 social-emotional objectives that will be addressed at each grade level incorporate themes of inclusivity and belonging, and support students as they understand diverse perspectives.

To incorporate many different identities, beliefs and traditions, as well as to highlight various holidays and national celebrations, we have developed monthly themes that will be celebrated throughout the district classrooms and schools.

You can see these aren’t created for a specific holiday season or celebration, rather they are made to be more all-encompassing so that the lessons and activities that take place are able to be responsive to the students in each classroom and the culture of each school.

Monthly lessons have been prepared that align with the themes, and include opportunities for students to share about their identities and explore perspectives and identities of others through literature, sharing of personal stories and traditions, and learning about others in their community. Additionally, a website with resources for literature aligned to these themes has been developed for your use in your classroom.

All EC-4 teachers will receive calendar squares to be used as desired to highlight holidays in their classroom. These include cultural and religious celebrations, special days to highlight different themes (i.e. World Down Syndrome Day, Veterans Day), and birthdays/observances for important Americans. HERE is a link to these squares if you would like to re-print or make a new copy for yourself.