Schools
1. Introduction
All of the public school systems in the Rochester Olmsted community should have completed state required diversity plans and placed them on file with the Minnesota Department of Children Families and Learning.
School districts should also provide staff development programming and resources to ensure that teachers and other staff members understand the value of integrating diversity education strategies into all aspects of K-12 curriculum.
As a suggestion for private school systems or for public school systems considering revisions, the 21st Century Partnership, in consultation with Diversity Council Education Committee and Rochester Public Schools offer the following curriculum suggestions intended to:
(1) Create a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students, and
(2) Support an environment that nurtures diversity and strives to eliminate name-calling, racism, gender bias and other forms of discrimination.
2. Elementary School
| Actions/Strategies | Timeline | Persons Responsible | Resources Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read books and stories depicting various cultures, men and women in a variety of roles, and people with mental and physical challenges in a variety of roles. | On-going | K-5 Staff and volunteers | School District & Community resources |
| Provide multiple experience creating an understanding of inter-generational experiences, and sharing of family traditions. For example, each student could present an interview held with a grandparent or older family friend. | Once per year | K-5 Staff and volunteers | |
| Provide multiple experiences comparing and contrasting the culture and traditions of people of different countries around the worlds. For example, each student could complete an assessment showing understanding of the differences and similarities. | |||
| Establish family mentorship program by matching ESOL families with native speaking families. | |||
| Include diverse food choices on school lunch menu. | |||
| Set aside an area in each school library for a monthly display of diversity materials. |
3. Middle School
| Timeline | Persons Responsible | Resources Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assign books with authors, settings, themes and characters representing diverse cultures and ethnic groups. | On-going | Language Arts Department | School District & community resources |
| Social Studies department should provide experiences at all grade levels on cultural diversity, including cultural diversity in our communities. | Winter Trimester | Social Studies and language arts staff | School district & community resources |
| Provide story problems that include diversity themes. | On-going | Math department | School district & community resources |
| Provide opportunities for native speaking students to meet and get to know ESOL students better to eliminate name-calling and other forms of harassment | September | Staff | |
| Demonstrate what it would be like to be in a situation where one does not know the language. Afterwards, process how the students fell about the experience. | Once a year | Staff | |
| Introduce diverse performing groups and explore a variety of music from various cultures and religions. | On-going | Music Department | School district, PTSA & community resources |
| Encourage frequent discussions regarding racial issues and discrimination of all kinds. | On-going | Staff | School district & community resources |
| Provide lessons on social skills and self-awareness. | On-going | Staff | |
| Enforce zero tolerance of discrimination incidents in school. | On-going | Staff | Appropriate consequences for both positive and negative behavior |
4. High School
| Program | Timeline | Responsible | Resources Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhance library/media collection to incorporate diverse literature and non-print media | On-going | Staff | Resources to purchase new materials |
| Increase availability of conflict managers. | On-going | Conflict Manager Coordinator and Administration | Time for coordinator to organize and facilitate conflict mediation and to train additional staff and students. |
| Continue to use bulletin boards to display multicultural ideas and themes. | On-going | Diversity Committees | School district & community resources |
| Increase involvement of minority parents through Minority Student Advocate | On-going | School administration and Minority Advocate | Salaries and benefits for minority student advocate position and activities |
| Increase minority student participation in school related activities and athletics through assistance with fees and equipment and through active recruitment. | On-going | Staff and students | Funds for fees and equipment; time for recruitment |
| Develop and understanding of diversity among students, based on respect, success, school pride, spirit, and traditions | On-going | Staff, students, and alumni | Money for fees supplies and materials. |
