From Your District Leadership
June 3, 2020
Superintendent Gaborik
Dear School District Family and Fairbanks Community,
Events of this past week, fueled by the atrocity of George Floyd’s death, have consumed me. I find it very difficult to capture in words my thoughts about the unfathomable acts of bigotry, racism, cowardice and the lack of leadership. I’ve boomeranged back and forth between horror, guilt, anger, incredulousness, passion, sorrow, empathy, helplessness, heartbreak, and fear. I’ve reached out to co-workers, friends, and family close to home and across the country to hear their stories. I try to understand.
Entertwined with images of violence and burning buildings, though, I’ve also noticed other things. I’ve seen peaceful demonstrations. I’ve watched acts of solidarity. I’ve cried at gestures of kindness. Hidden among scenes of cruelty and tragedy are moments of genuine compassion between people. These moments lift me. They bring me back to my foundation. They shine a light on our humanity. They give me hope.
Today, my reflection turns to my role in Fairbanks. My role as superintendent of our school district. My role in a public institution that one could argue continues to be flawed. My role in the education of our children. My role as a leader and community partner.
I remember my own purpose: I am here in this time, in this place, in this moment to make a difference. I have this moment to influence the end of racism and intolerance in our community. I have this moment to build an institution grounded in diversity and inclusion rather than fear and separation. I have this moment to lead a school district that is built on love, courage and authentic relationships. I have this moment to ally with fellow leaders to do everything we can to positively impact our community. I have this moment to make a difference. And so do you. Join me.
Below are highlights of our current efforts within the school district to build an inclusive environment where all students, staff and families feel welcome. I invite you to be part of this work and to give us feedback about additional ways we can engage with the community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Karen Gaborik, Superintendent
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
If you would like to be part of any of our ongoing efforts or if you have input about how we can improve this work, contact Dr. Karen Gaborik at superintendent@k12northstar.org.
NATIONAL COALITION BUILDING INSTITUTE AND FAIRBANKS COALITION BUILDERS
The National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) is an internationally recognized non-profit leadership organization that provides training in diversity, equity, and inclusion. NCBI specifically works with community organizations, K-12 schools, college and university campuses, corporations, and law enforcement. The work of NCBI has reached multiple countries and numerous organizations, including the 'United States Department of Education's Gender Equity Expert Panel' which cited NCBI's work on college campuses as a national "best practice", awarding it the rating of "excellent" regarding educational significance, quality, usefulness, and replicability.
NCBI partnered with our local Fairbanks Coalition Builders (FCB) team to develop a range of training and workshop experiences appropriate for our community. To date, there have been over 320 local participants in combined NCBI and FCB workshops and community engagement sessions, including students, parents, educators, members of the public, and law enforcement.
I have asked the Fairbanks Coalition Builders to schedule community engagement event this month to provide a safe venue for Fairbanks to have a conversation about inequity, discrimination and intolerance in our own community and to share our different points of view about how to best move forward. Watch the district website and social media for announcements.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Dr. Karen Gaborik at superintendent@k12northstar.org.
EQUITY AND INCLUSION
In fall 2019, the school board adopted the 2020-25 strategic plan that included a new goal specific to Equity and Inclusion: Provide equitable opportunities and an inclusive environment where all students and staff are respected and feel welcome, safe and supported. Board objectives include closing opportunity gaps while increasing student outcomes/achievement for all, and creating a culture of belonging and inclusion for all, where issues of intolerance are addressed through education, awareness and civic responsibility.
The district contracted with RMG Business Consulting, led by Rodney Gaskins, retired executive director of the Fairbanks Rescue Mission. Mr. Gaskins is researching effective equity and inclusion programs in K-12 environments and compiling a report of program structure options, best practices, recommended staffing levels and community involvement efforts.
Mr. Gaskins is also performing a gap analysis of the district’s existing equity and inclusion efforts, comparing where we are to where we want to be as a district. This analysis will include an assessment of partnerships and other relationships with Fairbanks community organizations for the purpose of increasing and improving the overall culture of inclusion throughout the district.
Finally, Mr. Gaskins is building a comprehensive equity and inclusion plan that aligns with the work of existing diversity and inclusion committees, programs, and initiatives. His work is identifying appropriate departments and committees to be engaged in every component of the plan.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Dr. Karen Gaborik at superintendent@k12northstar.org.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
The district is working explicitly to adopt curricula that supports equity and develops understanding and tolerance. In spring 2019, the district held two community meetings and surveyed stakeholders on needs and goals for both the English/Language Arts and Social Studies curricula. Out of this feedback, student choice and representation of diversity in curriculum rose as priorities. Between February 2019 and February 2020, both Social Studies and Language Arts curriculum drafts were widely circulated and feedback was solicited, with specific outreach to tribal organizations and the NAACP. The executive director of Teaching & Learning met with the Fairbanks NAACP in November 2019, and with the Fairbanks Native Association in June 2019 and February 2020. The Tanana Chiefs Conference submitted curriculum feedback and suggestions in January 2020, most of which were included in the final draft.
When the social studies curriculum was adopted in April 2020, it included increased and deliberate representation of historically marginalized people. A course called The Civil Rights Experience was adopted as an option for meeting the United States history requirement for graduation. The English curriculum for grades 7 - 10 was adopted in April 2020, and includes purposefully diverse options for reading choices. The draft high school grade 11-12 English curriculum, which should go to the Board for consideration in fall 2020, includes expanded choices to meet literarture requirements for graduation such as Holocaust Literature, Native American Literature, African-American Literature and Social Themes in Literature.
The more traditional American literature courses were revised in a thematic way, with working titles of Defining Freedom and Shifting Dreams, both of which make room for a variety of perspectives, diverse authors and titles, and examination of how various groups have interacted with those themes. During the curriculum revision process for both social studies and English, the goal that students would see themselves represented in the curriculum was verbalized repeatedly by both curriculum revisers, community members, and the students themselves.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Dr. Karen Gaborik at superintendent@k12northstar.org.
DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
The School Board Diversity Committee was established in 1997 and meets regularly to share and discuss all sectors of diversity in our community and promote positive, supportive action so staff and students are empowered to not only respond to intolerance, but also proactively become part of the solution. The Diversity Committee is committed to being a listening body for the community, meeting regularly to hear from the public and to learn how the district can partner with community organizations. Public testimony is welcome during Diversity Committee meetings to help inform the superintendent and the Board directly.
The Diversity Committee meets next on Wednesday, June 10.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Dr. Karen Gaborik at superintendent@k12northstar.org.
Social Emotional Learning and Resources
The district’s strategic plan prioritizes increasing social-emotional learning (SEL) support. Current research overwhelmingly shows that effectively implementing SEL and trauma-engaged practices directly impacts positive student academic achievement.
This past spring, the district launched the Alaska Resiliency in Schools for Educational Success (AK RISES) demonstration grant which, when fully implemented, will place five licensed mental health clinicians in schools to address student needs related to sustained stress and trauma. The grant also brings opportunities for training related to trauma informed and trauma engaged practices in schools.
This summer, the district is restructuring to create a Student Support Services department with two sub-units: Federal Programs and Social Emotional Learning & Prevention (SELP). The goal of the new SELP sub-unit is to implement the district’s SEL framework districtwide. This includes providing comprehensive SEL professional development for all student support personnel, including: counselors, social services managers, behavior aides, prevention-intervention specialists, safety assistants, and partner positions in the Federal Programs department. The Student Support Services department will support district leadership, principals, teachers and support staff in implementing the framework so that the district is a place where every student has every opportunity to achieve academic and life success.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Dr. Karen Gaborik at superintendent@k12northstar.org.
HUMAN RESOURCES
The Human Resources (HR) department is committed to promoting the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District as a highly desirable employer that offers a safe, caring work environment where staff and students from varied backgrounds feel a sense of belonging. The department is continually evaluating its recruiting and hiring process for the purpose of identifying barriers and ensuring the district is attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse pool of qualified staff.
In August 2020, HR will begin recruitment for vacant seats on the Human Resource Advisory Committee. If you are interested in serving, email heather.christian@k12northstar.org.
Human Resources also participates in the development of staff training designed to support the district’s commitment to inclusion and diversity. In August 2020, HR will roll out required training for every employee that addresses the inclusion and celebration of all peoples, and seeks to end racism and bigotry toward any staff, student or family within our organization.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Dr. Karen Gaborik at superintendent@k12northstar.org.
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Email: publicrelations@k12northstar.org
Website: https://www.k12northstar.org
Location: 520 5th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Phone: (907) 452-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fsdk12/
Twitter: @fsdk12