The West Shore School District Board of School Directors, administration, and staff embrace a shared commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, which supports our District pledge to provide students with inspiring and relevant experiences so they may live meaningful, purposeful, and impactful lives.
We acknowledge that we have some important work ahead of us to ensure this occurs, and over the next year, we will be closely examining our curriculum to find opportunities to include a variety of races, cultures, and historically underrepresented groups. One first step in this direction is celebrating Black History Month with intention. In addition to discussions which will naturally occur during social studies and history classes, below are a few ways we will be honoring black heroes during the month of February. We encourage our school community to review these resources and to join us in honoring the accomplishments, innovations, and contributions of black Americans past and present who have helped shape our country.
- Honoring Our Black Heroes Poster Series - Each poster features a black hero chosen by a West Shore student or teacher. Special thanks to members of Cedar Cliff’s Colts Anti-Racist Alliance (C.A.R.A.) organization for their assistance in developing the poster series and for sharing their voices. Posters will be hung in all schools and are available electronically as an attachment below.
- Shared Stories: District Inclusive Literature Initiative (K-5) - District Elementary schools will receive grade-level specific books to be read to students during the month. Books were chosen not only based on their literary value, but the way in which they each highlight cultural and physical diversity in an age-appropriate way. Special thanks to the West Shore Foundation and CARES Act for funding the purchase of these award-winning titles for students. Click here to learn more.
- Honoring Our Black Heroes Flipgrid – Who are your black heroes and why do they inspire you? Staff, students, parents, and community members are invited to share their voice and their black heroes with our school community. Click here to participate in or learn more about the Honoring Our Black Heroes Flipgrid.
The West Shore School District is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable environment for all. Our efforts with Black History Month are the first of many exciting initiatives we have planned for this year.