"Forward Together," a cultural competence planning outline that evolved to include a community forum, parent groups, and student-led groups. This idea led to hearing experiences related to Royal Oak Schools and share what the district was doing around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Created in 2019, the Cultural Competence Engagement Committee was developed around DEI work in the following areas in the Royal Oak School district:
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Resources
- Recruitment, Hiring and Retention Practices
- Staff/community professional Development
- Responding to student needs and behavior
The next goal of the group was to develop a district-level DEI team. In May of 2022, the Cultural Competence Engagement Committee (CCEC) officially ended.
So where are we now? In June, the new district-level team, called the JEDI Council (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) will be announced. The core council is made up of the District DEI Coordinator, representatives from each school building in the district, PTSA representatives, and students who will continue to do the work the CCEC began.
The initial meeting of the JEDI Council will be held on June 1, 2022.
Work So Far:
- Hired a DEI Coordinator in 2021
- More than 24 reports on "Forward Together" progress were presented at televised Board of Education meetings
- Every elementary classroom has added 20+ inclusive texts to its library
- Students have founded the Diversity Club at Royal Oak High School and the Uniting Cultures at Royal Oak Middle School
- Parents began the Royal Oak Multicultural Parent Association with school administrators
- Staff have attended professional development on topics such as:
- REFRESHER DOCUMENTS: