Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 30 at 4:30 on Zoom
Interested in joining the Equity Team? Just let us know using any one of the following methods:
- Fill out this online form: https://forms.gle/BZeYZHByi4GHVrDKA
- Mail us at MinerEquityTeam@gmail.com
- Come to any meeting. All are welcome!
Summer 2020 Progress
The Equity Team met bi-weekly via video calls throughout the summer. Thank you to all team members for your dedication toward ensuring equity and inclusion, even while school was not in session!
The Communications Direct Action Team formed in the spring to work on improving communications at Miner (see "Spring 2020 Progress" below). Over the summer the team completed a draft Communications Plan and worked with Miner's administration to finalize the document. The plan will be distributed to the Miner community once school resumes in September.
The pandemic and calls for social justice in the nation helped spur the creation of two Direct Action Teams: the Miner Mutual Aid Network and the Solidarity Team. The Mutual Aid network began forming community relationships and collecting resources to help members of the greater Miner community that may need extra assistance because of the pandemic. They then hosted two very successful “Community Table” events at Miner to distribute those resources. The Solidarity Team held an incredibly successful March for Black Lives Matter, and they are planning additional events and activities that demonstrate Miner's support for social justice and racial equity.
During August as the start of school approached, two additional Direct Action Teams were formed: the Return to Learning Team and the "Mighty Bear Learning Network." The Return to Learning Team identified over a dozen areas for further investigation to try and ensure equity for all students and families in this new, all virtual learning environment. One area identified, commonly called "pods," led to the formation of the Mighty Bear Learning Network, which is working on ways to ensure that any Miner student or family who want to be a part of an in-person "learning hub" with other students is able to do so, regardless of income or family situation.
The Communications Direct Action Team formed in the spring to work on improving communications at Miner (see "Spring 2020 Progress" below). Over the summer the team completed a draft Communications Plan and worked with Miner's administration to finalize the document. The plan will be distributed to the Miner community once school resumes in September.
The pandemic and calls for social justice in the nation helped spur the creation of two Direct Action Teams: the Miner Mutual Aid Network and the Solidarity Team. The Mutual Aid network began forming community relationships and collecting resources to help members of the greater Miner community that may need extra assistance because of the pandemic. They then hosted two very successful “Community Table” events at Miner to distribute those resources. The Solidarity Team held an incredibly successful March for Black Lives Matter, and they are planning additional events and activities that demonstrate Miner's support for social justice and racial equity.
During August as the start of school approached, two additional Direct Action Teams were formed: the Return to Learning Team and the "Mighty Bear Learning Network." The Return to Learning Team identified over a dozen areas for further investigation to try and ensure equity for all students and families in this new, all virtual learning environment. One area identified, commonly called "pods," led to the formation of the Mighty Bear Learning Network, which is working on ways to ensure that any Miner student or family who want to be a part of an in-person "learning hub" with other students is able to do so, regardless of income or family situation.
Spring 2020 Progress
The Equity Team has been hard at work identifying areas that would benefit from direction action. From an initial list of ideas, team members prioritized them and then signed up to work on those topic of interest to them. The "Top Ten" list of direct actions, in order of descending priority, are:
Each topic has a self-selected "Direct Action Team" assigned to work it. To see the full list of actions and teams working them, click here to download the file. If you're interested in any of these topics, you're always welcome to join any team. Just contact any of the team members, or email the Equity Team at minerequityteam@gmail.com.
- Develop ideas for improving communications from school leaders (admin, PTO, LSAT) to parents and families.
- Assist the school with outreach and communications to families for the school’s mission/vision work, as well as support feedback collection.
- Identify any issues hindering good day-to-day customer service in the school. Then recommend solutions to the admin if needed.
- Develop ideas for how to get more parents involved as leaders and as general volunteers.
- Reach out to Latino families and make them feel welcome.
- Recommend equity-related school priorities to LSAT and admin in advance of budget season.
- Bring in a group on how to talk to kids about race.
- Assist in updating school-wide needs assessment if the school undertakes such an assessment.
- Host a “Meet & Greet” event for the Grade 3-5 team (or presentation by them).
- Help white families learn/understand how to be charitable and directly help families in need without being a “white savior.”
Each topic has a self-selected "Direct Action Team" assigned to work it. To see the full list of actions and teams working them, click here to download the file. If you're interested in any of these topics, you're always welcome to join any team. Just contact any of the team members, or email the Equity Team at minerequityteam@gmail.com.
What is Equity and what does it mean for Miner?
The dictionary definition of equity is “justice according to natural law or right; freedom from bias or favoritism.” Addressing equity issues at Miner requires an understanding of the root causes of outcome disparities within our school and then creating environments in which everyone can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate
What Miner is doing to create an equitable and inclusive environment
Below are some responses to a recent survey which asked "What is Miner doing well to create an equitable and inclusive environment?":
"Community School, Kindred, Equity Team, diverse PTO Executive Board"
"Creating space for meetings/groups to come together and have input"
"Most teachers and staff care deeply about students. PTO seeks to hold meetings with daycare and events in an effort to attract wide attendance."
"Kindred is a great start and the changes are already visible. But there is more work to be done."
"Having this group is a great start."
"Racially diverse staff and students, having an Equity Team, showing parents equity is important."
"Provides varied and numerous parent engagement opportunities"
"This team, for one!"
"Miner seems to do well at providing opportunities for parents and community members to get involved in discussions and decision-making."
"The inclusive environment allows everyone to be listened to and taken into consideration."
"Miner is doing well by having Kindred and having an Equity Team."
"Creating space for meetings/groups to come together and have input"
"Most teachers and staff care deeply about students. PTO seeks to hold meetings with daycare and events in an effort to attract wide attendance."
"Kindred is a great start and the changes are already visible. But there is more work to be done."
"Having this group is a great start."
"Racially diverse staff and students, having an Equity Team, showing parents equity is important."
"Provides varied and numerous parent engagement opportunities"
"This team, for one!"
"Miner seems to do well at providing opportunities for parents and community members to get involved in discussions and decision-making."
"The inclusive environment allows everyone to be listened to and taken into consideration."
"Miner is doing well by having Kindred and having an Equity Team."
Actions and Ideas for improving equity and inclusiveness
Individual feedback and suggestions are still being analyzed, but generally fall into these categories:
Parent/Family Resources (Classes, workshops, guidance)
Student Resources
Teacher & Staff Resources (PD, Training)
Communications - Information Sharing Practices
Communications - Building Relationships & Community
Participation & Volunteering in school life
Representation
Issues/Needs Identification & Assessment
School & Organizations Operations
Student Resources
Teacher & Staff Resources (PD, Training)
Communications - Information Sharing Practices
Communications - Building Relationships & Community
Participation & Volunteering in school life
Representation
Issues/Needs Identification & Assessment
School & Organizations Operations
Background
In 2018, Miner partnered with Kindred, a non-profit organization that brings diverse groups of parents together to engage in dialogue and work toward equity in their children's school. In these groups, parents explored their histories and identities, developed trusting relationships, and decided on a collective action to create a more inclusive, equitable school community that cares for all children as if they were their own. This collective action was to form an equity committee, supported by Kindred, to carry forward the work they have begun. This committee, now called the Miner Equity Team, began its work in the fall of 2019.
On September 20, 2019 the Washington Post published an article about the work that Kindred is doing in DC schools, including at Miner.
On September 20, 2019 the Washington Post published an article about the work that Kindred is doing in DC schools, including at Miner.
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Purpose of the Equity Team
The purpose of the Miner Equity Team is to build and strengthen our community by ensuring that everyone is represented, and that everyone has a voice that is heard. This is done by advising school leaders (administration, PTO, LSAT) about issues relating to equity and inclusiveness, as well as by taking direct action within our school community toward these same goals.
The Equity Team will be a working group made up of and facilitated by parents who took part in the Kindred dialogue groups in spring 2019, along with other parents who want to work collaboratively to advance equity in inclusiveness at Miner. While incorporating the trust and relationship-building components of a Kindred dialogue group, the Equity Team will also focus heavily on taking action to address equity-related challenges within the school community.
The Equity Team will be a working group made up of and facilitated by parents who took part in the Kindred dialogue groups in spring 2019, along with other parents who want to work collaboratively to advance equity in inclusiveness at Miner. While incorporating the trust and relationship-building components of a Kindred dialogue group, the Equity Team will also focus heavily on taking action to address equity-related challenges within the school community.
MembershipMembership is open to anyone in the Miner community who has an interest in increasing equity and inclusiveness in our school and our community. The specifics of what that means is up to the team members.
Equity Team members are the heart of Miner's equity work, and are responsible for taking the lead to identify needs, develop ideas, and put plans into action. If you are interested in joining the Equity Team, just email us at MinerEquityTeam@gmail.com or come to any meeting. Team co-chairs, LaShawn Oliver and David Treat, participated in Kindred dialogue groups in spring 2019, and are looking forward to continued service to the Miner community by facilitating and coordinating team activities. Contact |
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