Commitment to Diversity
School Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Islander Middle School values diversity, equity and inclusion. It is committed to building and sustaining a school community where teachers, parents, learners and support staff achieve the knowledge, skills and attitudes that value and embrace inclusiveness, equity and awareness as a way to unleash creativity and innovation in pursuit of the District’s 2020 Vision and Mission.
The District’s Diversity Advisory Committee was established in 2014 to serve as a resource and catalyst for helping the school system celebrate diversity. Valuing diversity embodies inclusion, mutual respect, and multiple perspectives. In this context, we are mindful of all aspects of human identities, such as socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religious/spiritual beliefs and values, geography, mental and physical disability and age.
Inclusion is a core requirement for successfully embracing diversity. Inclusion is achieved by intentionally creating opportunities for involvement, participation, and growth from each of us - nurturing the climate and culture of the school through professional development, education, policy, and practice. Equity also requires mutual respect as we strive for fairness and justice in the way people are treated within our school. Our objective is to create a school climate that fosters respect, belonging, and value for all, while encouraging participation and connection throughout the organization. Islander Middle School, through work developed by the Diversity Action Committee, supports diversity by focusing on:
● Supporting the appreciation of diversity among the Islander community,
● Building and celebrating a vision of inclusion developed by middle-school, student-centered, decisions and overseen by trained adults,
● Helping teachers gain continuing skill development to handle tough conversations regarding diversity and inclusion at the middle level.
● Intentionally advance learning about concepts of equity and diversity to promote a positive social and learning environment.
● Developing a school environment that supports equity in curriculum, opportunity, and experiences for all Islander students.
● Recognizing and understanding biases exist (whether conscious or unconscious) and working towards remediating these biases.
The District, in affiliation with its Diversity Advisory Committee, will provide training, tools, and resources for staff development, improvement of the organization’s climate, inclusive curricula, cultural proficiency training, leadership development, and community engagement. Building on the rich cultural history, traditions, and diversity of the Puget Sound region, the District, including its students, staff and school board, are dedicated to educational opportunities and school environments that are inclusive, empathic, celebratory and respectful of our individual and collective differences.
[1] Acknowledgement to the UW School of Medicine Diversity and Inclusion commitment.