Student voice and leadership are a primary focus for CSD. We have several student leadership opportunities at the middle and high school related to equity and inclusion. Each school has a dedicated equity and justice leadership team that focuses on youth and adult partnership to effect change in our schools including the CMS IDEA task force and the CHS Social Justice Alliance. Students are also involved through the CMS Rainbow Club and multiple clubs at the high school including: Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), We Matter Here, The Athletic Council, Student Council, and Green Team. Students participate throughout the school year and also have the chance to work toward their goals and develop their leadership skills during our student leadership retreat days. We are grateful to our partners in this work from UP For Learning!

The CSD DEI Advisory is a representational committee that helps give input into district initiatives and advise on priorities, and is charged with furthering CDS equity goals, identifying and acting to disrupt inequities, and leading for change toward greater inclusion and belonging.

Joint Statement of Purpose: The Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory leverages the power of collaboration to promote a culture of safety and acceptance by building equitable, inclusive systems where all voices are uplifted. The goal is for all members of our Colchester community to feel they belong and can be their authentic selves.

To learn more about how to get involved, contact Jamilah Vogel

Across the district, several strategies are under way to ensure that our instructional practices deliver high quality, accessible and engaging learning for all. Some highlights include: Universal Design for Learning (UDL), multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), Developmental Design, Proficiency Based Learning, and Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices. As we work toward these models of instruction we are also learning and applying the principles of Culturally Responsive teaching, trauma informed practice, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and disability awareness through district level Professional Development, collaborative learning groups, and teacher book groups.

Learn more about:

• UDL
• MTSS
• Developmental Design
• Culturally Responsive Teaching
• Proficiency Based Learning

Windows & Mirrors, a concept articulated by Emily Styles, describes “the need for curriculum to function both as window and as mirror, in order to reflect and reveal most accurately both a multicultural world and the student herself or himself.”

For the past several years CSD has worked to increase representation of diverse people, experiences, and perspectives across district curriculum and learning materials. Our goal is that students of all cultures, races, genders, and abilities can see themselves reflected and have the opportunity to learn about others. Our strategies for increasing affirming representation include: expanding school and classroom library collections, linking high quality representational text across the curriculum, updating PK-12 curriculum, learning materials, and imaginative play items that expand representation of culture, race, gender, and ability, and developing educators equity lens through professional development. These examples demonstrate our comprehensive strategies and are indicative of our ongoing commitment.

Our district is committed to professional learning related to our DEI goals and each school receives ongoing professional learning on a variety of topics to increase self-awareness, knowledge, and skill related to creating equitable and inclusive learning environments.

Examples of Professional Development Topics:

• Universal Design for Learning
• Culturally and Historically Responsive Teaching
• Implicit Bias
• Recognizing and Responding to Bias Based Harm and Microaggressions
• Gender Inclusivity
• Anti-Racist Teaching Strategies
• Identity, Power and Social Capital
• Restorative Practices

To find out more Reach out to our DEI Coordinator Jamilah Vogel