I’d like to take a moment to recognize Women’s History Month. I have been fortunate in my life to be called a Girl Dad and also a Momma’s Boy (smile). While I would cringe a bit in my youth at the latter, I am now very proud as both of these monikers reflect that many of the most impactful people in my life have been women. They have done so much to help shape me into the person that I am today. My mother, grandmother, aunts, sister, wife and daughter have gifted me with strength, empathy, understanding, sensitivity, work ethic and thoughtfulness.

Our District has of course been fortunate enough to also be directly (positively) impacted by women in many leadership roles. Whether it be our Board Members, Members of our SLT (Superintendent’s Cabinet), Principals, Academic Supervisors, Assistant Principals, Teachers, Guidance Counselors, Social Workers, School Nurses and our amazing Support Staff…our students, families and the community at large are the beneficiaries of the community of care, thoughtfulness and support generated by the aforementioned dynamic leaders and I am more than fortunate to work with ‘You’ as well.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, I am honored to highlight all that you do everyday for our District and the students that we serve. Thank you

Educationally yours,

Dr. Ronald G. Taylor

Dr. Kevin F. Gilbert, has been in education for 24 years and currently serves as the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) in Howard County, Maryland. Prior to his arrival in HCPSS, he served as the coordinator for teacher leadership and special projects with the Clinton Public School District in Clinton, Mississippi.

As the Director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Gilbert is tasked with coordinating HCPSS’s efforts to be more diverse, promote equity, and ensure inclusion throughout the district. As the first person to serve in this capacity for HCPSS, he also oversees the operation of the newly created Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI). After just three years, ODEI is one of the bedrocks of the HCPSS’s equity work. The Howard County Public School System is located in Ellicott City, MD and serves over 59,000 students and over 8,000 staff members.

Dr. Gilbert has worked as a social studies teacher, coach and an administrator with the Clinton Public School District, Rankin County School District (Flowood, MS), and the Hinds County School District (Raymond, MS). Other professional experience includes serving on the National Education Association’s (NEA) Executive Committee from 2013-2019, and president of the Mississippi Association of Educators (MAE) from 2007-2013. Other leadership positions include serving as vice president for governance for the National Council of State Education Associations, chair of the NEA Committee on Human and Civil Rights, and co-chair of the NEA task force on Discipline and the School-to-Prison Pipeline.

He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a doctorate in education leadership from Mississippi College.

Opt-In For Text Messages

In order to participate in the text messaging service, you must indicate your willingness to receive text messages to your phone, even if you received text messages this year. You must do this whether you have a child in the school system or belong to a community organization that wants to keep up-to-date with our alerts. To learn more about signing up for SMS text messaging visit: website: https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/headlines/district-news/2019/12/16/sms-text-message-communications-from-the-district/

Ms. Tracie Morrison, CHS 9th Grade, Assistant Principal, commented, "The opportunity to connect the creators of the film, to collaborate with CHS teachers and to provide a learning experience where students could openly and authentically discuss and reflect on the film made our celebration of Women's Herstory a great success.

Congratulations to the CHS cast/crew of the production "Newsies." The originally scheduled and sold out performances of March 18-20, were rescheduled to this final weekend, March 25-27. A virtual streaming option will be announced at a later date as an encore following the live performances, details can be found here: https://www.chsmusicals.com/