DEI Department Winter Newsletter

With only a few days left before the winter break, we are excited to share so many wonderful updates and highlights of the great work happening across the district and plan to continue in the new year.

Thank you to all staff, administrators and community partners for your tireless efforts to build a more welcoming and equitable community for everyone.

The DEI Department wishes you and yours a safe and restful break. Enjoy!

The NPS Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is thrilled to announce that Naomi Joseph will be joining as our full time Assistant Director in January 2023!

Naomi comes to NPS with experience as an elementary educator and a DEI Liaison at her previous school where, alongside her classroom responsibilities, she worked to build programs, deliver professional development, and engage community members in the generative work of DEI. Naomi’s professional and personal background make her an ideal selection for this position in support of our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the district. I personally am very excited to have her join me as a partner and enthusiastically welcome her to our small, but mighty team!

The search for a new Assistant Director was lengthy, but thoughtful and intentional. Thank you to our diligent search committee, which included members of our faculty, staff, parents, and administration.

In partnership with Lasell University, the inaugural cohort for our Newton Scholars Academy for Paraprofessionals is set to launch in January 2023!

In pursuit of creating more pathways for continuing education and professional advancement for NPS staff of color, a cohort of 15 Unit C staff members will begin their journey towards a Master of Education in Moderate Disabilities at Lasell University.

Lasell has been an incredible partner in designing a program to address many of the systemic barriers that impede professional advancement and retention for staff of color. These students will participate in a hybrid model, individualized to adapt to their schedules and current employment responsibilities to support their practicum requirements and also receive financial assistance, funded by Lasell through a $2.5 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education.

We will be launching another cohort in September 2023. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Kathy Lopes (lopesk@newton.k12.ma.us) to get information and an application.

For the second year in a row, our Human Resources Department has secured the Teacher Diversification Pilot Program by Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito. Designed to support local school and district efforts to strengthen and diversify existing teacher recruitment and retention program. The FY23 grant will be offered in the amount of $35,654 and intended to support the following:

• Financial Incentives (Relocation Assistance, Signing Bonuses, Loan Repayment): $23,770

• Tuition Assistance: $11,884

For more information, contact HR Director, Martine Albama (albamam@newton.k12.ma.us).

On November 18th, NPS hosted its 2nd annual BIPOC Staff Fall Gathering at City Food Hall in Waltham. This event is hosted by the DEI Department, in partnership with the NPS BIPOC Staff Affinity Group Coordinators. With over 30 BIPOC staff members in attendance, we welcomed the new school year in community and joy.

Our BIPOC Staff Coordinators will continue holding affinity gatherings per level (elementary, middle, and high) throughout the school year. If you are interested in joining the mailing list to stay informed of upcoming events, please email Angela Sasso (sassoa@newton.k12.ma.us).

We also want to thank the Newton Schools Foundation for your continued funding support of this very important initiative that is integral to our commitment to hiring and retaining teacher and staff diversity within our school community.

The Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC) announced earlier this week that Newton Public Schools was selected as a Vanguard District.

Following a competitive application process, NPS was chosen due to “our full commitment to high quality, equity centered and culturally responsive education for all students - and in particular boys and young men of color'' and “...the determination and dedication demonstrated as leaders of the Newton Public Schools.”

As a vanguard district, COSEBOC will provide a broad range of support and services to build capacity and strengthen relationships among district leaders, educators, families, students, and community members. Their team includes educational leaders with tremendous experience in K-12 settings across the country, with particular expertise in promoting equity and closing opportunity and achievement gaps. Our partnership will include a needs assessment, ongoing learning from community-grounded data sources, professional development, coaching, community outreach, program evaluation, and other customized strategies.

We will be entering a collaborative planning phase in the new year in preparation for full implementation in the coming months. Stay tuned!

On December 8, Lincoln-Elliot, Underwood, and Ward school communities collaborated during the professional development early release time to deepen their understanding of culturally responsive instruction. Teachers, Paraprofessionals, NESA members and NPS administrators reviewed the “what” and “why” of CRI, heard a personal journey of striving for cultural responsiveness and equity from Underwood Literacy Specialist, Stacey Mann, and learned about, explored, and reflected on a framework for culturally responsive instruction that engages all students in high levels of learning.

On December 8th, F.A. Day Middle School students participated in a school wide community day. The highlight of the day was a panel discussion led by NNHS students who discussed how they experienced stereotypes, microaggressions, bias and discrimination in middle school. They offered strategies and their personal stories around identity. The students were riveted. Below are pictures of the Student in Action Leadership Group, conducting focus groups with our faculty around how we can create a more inclusive community at F.A. Day.

The Teachers’ Lounge is excited to launch the after work happy hours series called 'Last Period'. They are excited to host you all at District 7 Tavern on January 13th from 5pm-8pm. Join them for an intimate setting, with free food, beverages, games, and good vibes.

RSVP by clicking this link,

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/last-period-district-7-january-tickets-479984004077

Do you have a Freedom Dream you're actively working to bring to life or deepen? Is it connected to visions of Liberatore learning experiences for young people? Are you actively piloting aspects of the vision or ready to actively pilot aspects? If so, learn more about Freedom Dreams Lab.

The Freedom Dreams Lab is a program for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (individuals and teams) ready to refine and pilot experiences that they believe could contribute to Liberatore learning environments.

They are currently accepting submissions for the next cohort.

To learn more, click this link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n18n2W5R-8pmy0CoYMQ1uWpqgyNWgn38/view