It’s important for students to experience a well-rounded education in a welcoming, inclusive environment where they feel significant and represented.
Likewise, it’s vital that every school employee and representative – bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodial workers, aides, teachers, administrators and elected officials – not only feel valued but work tirelessly to foster an inclusive atmosphere for students and fellow employees.
That’s why the school board approved a yearlong diversity and inclusivity plan in October 2017 that we hope will make us even prouder of the people and accomplishments of Staunton City Schools.
The decision came after a recognition by the school board and school administrators that SCS could do a better job of creating a welcoming, accepting and diverse environment that matches the board’s values.
We also recognize that it’s time to make an informed decision about the name of our high school. We’ll be prepared to make that decision soon, thanks to our diversity and inclusivity training and listening process.
About Our Process
Our diversity and inclusivity training and listening process began with a partnership with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities and the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge. The Community Foundation has invested $10,000 in support of our endeavor, a reflection of the Foundation’s commitment to engaging Staunton residents in the future of our community.
VCIC - a widely recognized and respected Richmond-based non-profit organization that addresses prejudices in all forms - is leading the training to improve academic achievement, increase workplace productivity and enhance local trust. The organization has supported many schools and districts across Virginia, and their work has been recognized nationally for its effectiveness.
VCIC formulated the training and listening plan for our school division and has been leading the process since September with the following steps:
- Diversity training for all SCS employees, including specialized training for equity teams, or selected SCS staff who will lead ongoing peer-to-peer diversity training after VCIC’s program is complete;
- Focus groups with students and staff to get an understanding of how they feel about diversity and inclusivity in SCS;
- Focus groups and listening sessions with the local community to identify concerns and seek input on diversity and inclusivity issues in SCS, including the high school name;
- The development of a long-term, strategic plan for cultivating diversity and inclusivity in our school division.
We are approaching this process through an educator’s lens, listening carefully, engaging in respectful, intentional discourse and learning and growing together. Topics of discussion include how students and staff fit in Staunton’s schools, how SCS employees can become aware of and address biases and prejudices, and how the SCS family and the Staunton community feel about the high school name.
The first two steps are now completed. This summer, VCIC will turn to you, Staunton residents, and ask for your input. We stand ready and willing to hear your feedback.
On July 9 and 10, VCIC will be leading public community listening sessions at Gypsy Hill Gym during which we’ll continue the conversation about the above topics. We will provide more detailed information as we get closer to the date and encourage the participation of Staunton residents.
After we’ve heard from constituents in the July sessions, we will make a well- informed decision on the name of our high school.
I encourage you to stay informed of where we are in the process via our website, www.staunton.k12.va.us. There you’ll find our timeline, information about upcoming community listening sessions and reports and findings from VCIC, once their work is complete.
At the conclusion of the process, VCIC will present their findings to the school board in the late summer or early fall during a regularly scheduled meeting.
It’s important that we get this right and that we are diligent in our work to get it right. My assurance to you is that I’m committed to following the process wherever it leads and doing what’s right for our students and our community.
William Lobb is chairman of the Staunton City School Board.