The seeds for Sycamore’s Equity & Inclusion Committee were planted roughly three years ago when a small group of parents discussed the idea of starting a group focused on equity and inclusion at Sycamore. Seen in higher education as well as the corporate and non-profit worlds, offices and departments of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion help to promote a healthy culture for students and employees. Our goal was to fill such a role at Sycamore. Recognizing the supportive and collaborative environment at our school, we were excited to build upon what already existed and provide encouragement for further growth. Since then, the initiative has blossomed from a small group of parents to a robust and dynamic coalition of parents, teachers, and students meeting regularly to foster an environment of inclusivity both inside and outside of the classroom. In fall 2019, we officially became part of Sycamore’s Governance Council. We are guided by the following mission statement:
The Equity and Inclusion committee seeks to foster a community where students of all identities, backgrounds, and abilities are valued and embraced. We strive to raise awareness of and provide strategies for creating and sustaining an equitable and inclusive community on the Sycamore campus and beyond, and to help prepare all students to be compassionate and informed people of the world.
Over the course of the 2019-20 year, we hosted a presentation for parents and educators on “Children’s Gender Diversity and Self Expression” by Dr. Jane Ward, we organized several sessions for students during Service Day, and we hosted a presentation by diversity, equity, and inclusion specialist Farzana Nayani on “How and Why to Talk to Your Kids about Race.”
In the fall of last year, a student Equity and Inclusion group took root. Twice monthly, students met during lunch to discuss ways they could promote equity and inclusion within our school. With upper grade teacher and the group’s sponsor, Jessica Marchant, students discussed ways we can respond to one another with understanding and respect. The group took action in three ways: they raised funds to donate so that every student could have breakfast and lunch, regardless of a family’s ability to pay; they advocated for a gender-neutral student bathroom on campus; and they led peers in mindfulness activities as a part of our school’s Service Day. Way to take action! Virtual meetings of the Student Equity and Inclusion group will continue to be held on the first and third Wednesday of each month, starting October 7. Students in grades four through six can meet Mrs. Marchant in a Zoom from 12:30-1:00, using the meeting code 940 4403 5029 and password room18.
In the summer of 2020, Sycamore's Equity & Inclusion Committee hosted a discussion over Zoom in response to “Raising Antiracist Kids,” a recorded online conversation between best-selling author Ibram X. Kendi and human rights lawyer Derecka Purnell, hosted by Haymarket Books on June 18th and available here. We also assembled a list of Equity and Inclusion resources, now housed on Sycamore’s website, which include a google doc of recommended books, websites, and other resources for children, parents, and educators, on such topics as anti-racism and social justice, gender diversity, neurodiversity, and adoption. See resources here: http://sycamore.cusd.claremont.edu/pf4/cms2/view_page?d=x&group_id=1500178973464&vdid=2i34g2xki02btvjd
Despite the disruptions and challenges of schooling during a pandemic, we are forging ahead with plans for the current year and are eager to broaden our network of parents and co-conspirators. So far, we plan to help mobilize community input to CUSD’s newly formed District Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, to help organize sessions focused on disability and neurodiversity for Ability Awareness Day in December, and to consider ways we might get involved in the Black Lives Matter at School week of action in February.
The Equity and Inclusion Committee typically meets the first Monday of the month from 6-7:30pm, and our first meeting of the year will be this coming Monday, October 5th at 6pm. In addition to making introductions, we’ll start brainstorming ideas for the year and begin planning for Ability Awareness Day. The Zoom info is:
https://ucr.zoom.us/j/98176963043?pwd=QUd0QUE4amZMc3dZTlltVkpIVVJjUT09
Meeting ID: 981 7696 3043
Passcode: equity
If you’d like to be added to the E&I mailing list to receive updates and meeting reminders, please email anthea.kraut@ucr.edu. You can also keep an eye on the Leaf. We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces at our October meeting and to hearing your ideas on how we can work together to ensure that Sycamore is equitable and inclusive for all!
-Anthea Kraut and Sharon Stranford, Co-Chairs of Sycamore's Equity & Inclusion Committee
