Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resource Center

Winthrop Public Schools

WELCOME TO THE DEI HUB!

Winthrop Public Schools is committed to implementing its vision of becoming an anti-racist district that centers around the values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Our goal is to provide opportunities to educate, increase awareness, and self-reflect. This site is a point of entry into the vast resources available to help educators, parents, and ALL members of the community along different points of the ally spectrum.

Engage and explore to further your understanding of critical issues, current events, and important topics aimed at providing you with the necessary tools to advance your cultural competency and better support our diverse community!

The Heart of Our Mission

Winthrop Public Schools is committed to implementing its vision of becoming an anti-racist district that centers around the values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). We believe that academic excellence depends not only on a diverse body of students, families, and faculty but affirming and engaging the perspectives and backgrounds within our community with equal importance as well. Our ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion work aims to amplify the voices of all children and adults. These efforts are at the heart of our mission.

We believe a diverse, inclusive, and equitable school community is critical for preparing students to participate in a complex, pluralistic, and interconnected society. We challenge ourselves to regularly evaluate and refine curricula, policies, and practices, and to commit the appropriate resources to ensure we embody these beliefs every day.

We seek to engage all community members around our multiple identities: among them race, age, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, family composition, ability/disability, learning styles, religion, sexuality, and socio-economic status. By engaging in this exploration of identity, culture, and systems that advantage some and disadvantage others, Winthrop aspires for all members of our community to develop a sense of belonging and for our graduates to bring about positive change in the world.

We acknowledge our need to continue our learning, to strengthen this commitment and our practices, every day. This statement therefore reflects not only who we are but also who we seek to become as a diverse, inclusive, and equitable school community. Please join us in this essential, shared work.

Lisa Howard, Superintendent of Winthrop Schools

Winthrop Public Schools Commitment

Respect all
Trust each other to engage in difficult conversations
Share our unique stories and listen to others’
Learn from different perspectives and experiences
Examine our biases and endeavor to overcome them
Foster belonging, connectedness, and safety
Invest in the personal growth of children and adults alike

WPS DEI Statement

The Winthrop Public School System is devoted to continuously building an inclusive community.

We, as a district, stand with all members of our community, and assert our solidarity with those who have been marginalized. Winthrop is committed to becoming a school system where staff and community members confront their own biases, recognize inequities, and work together to dismantle racist and white supremacist practices both in and out of the classroom.

As part of our commitment we have assembled district-wide DEI teams to help plan, guide, and lead the work. These teams will develop initiatives to promote ongoing conversations around racism and equity to move ourselves and our colleagues toward action.

As a district, we are committed to building inclusive learning environments where all BIPOC and marginalized members within the community feel heard, safe, respected, and valued. We acknowledge that this work won’t always be easy or comfortable; yet it is crucial and necessary. Our hope is that you approach this work with an open heart and mind, and with a student-mindset that helps us grow and learn together as we actualize this shared vision.

FAQ

Q: "Who is this website for?"

A: This website was designed for educators, school staff, parents, public officials, and members of the community who are seeking to improve their cultural competency, better understand the experiences of marginalized groups, and identify ways we can create a more inclusive environment and society for all Winthrop residents.

Q: "What is the purpose of this DEI Resource Center?"

A: This website was created in response to district-wide staff requests for assistance on how to best serve our diverse community and to provide additional resources on navigating topics surrounding DEI. This is a compilation of existing resources into a living document for those seeking to advance their education and awareness. The scope of this resource expanded beyond the school buildings to support previously established DEI efforts within the community as well as parents seeking the same types of educational resources. The site represents a point of entry for ALL people along different points of the ally spectrum seeking to learn more about DEI.

Q: "How do I use this tool?"

A: Look around and explore with an open student mindset. See what resonates. Use discomfort as your compass on things to learn more about. To accommodate different learning styles and preferences, we've organized resources into the categories of READ, WATCH, & LISTEN (i.e. books, articles, videos, podcasts).

Q: "Why is this resource necessary?"

A: It’s necessary for educators to serve and support all students. Our children learn best when they feel seen, heard, and respected. This resource was designed to help us see, hear, and respect all students and families. Racism is real and it deprives people from a full human experience. The world is diverse. If we don’t equip our staff and prepare our students to engage, support, and thrive in a diverse world, then we limit their scope and experience. We fail them both excessively and existentially.

Q: “What if I don’t agree with the information presented on the website?”

A: The resources available on this site are not part of a mandated curriculum. The students, staff, and citizens of Winthrop are entitled to their own opinions and are welcome to conduct their own research by way of legitimate and reputable sources. These compiled resources echo the commitment of Winthrop Public Schools to value the experiences of our marginalized citizens and to support the goal of continual reflective practices and self-improvement.

Q: Why is this work so incredibly important?

A: We are a diverse community dedicated to serving ALL students and families. Inclusivity and diversity help our students develop empathy, compassion and appreciation for the differences that make the world a fuller place. When we do not instill the values of DEI in our children, when we do not connect them to the plights of others, we fail. We fail ourselves, and we fail to prepare our children for the real world. Ultimately, we limit their ability to fully experience life and appreciate the scope of human nature.

WINTHROP AT A GLANCE:

Page updated

Report abuse