2021-01-14-LHRC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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• JC— There is the Understanding Our Differences program rolling out to show that differences are okay. New identity lessons are being rolled out. Middle School health teachers are doing programs around implicit bias, etc. to address what might not be reported. Restorative Practices include Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan - training to all staff on Restorative Practice— Circle Practice—building community— creating accountability and support. b. Suspension & Student Discipline • Latest set of results are in document—Despite improved approach and growth in handling student discipline we are still seeing evidence of disproportionality among certain student subgroups. What we are seeing this year are no suspensions, although this is in part due to COVID, it is also about how we are handling incidents . Addressing issues in a estorative manner, rather than through discipline and suspension (i.e. education around substance abuse, etc.). Suspension doesn't lead to restorative practices and impacts education. Remote learning has helped us move towards restorative practices rather than suspension. We are digging for the underlying causes and taking the time to look at why students of color are being caught more than others, even though we know that similar behaviors are happening. • TG— is there a higher level team that is looking at this as it happens or after the fact? JC —it is all of the above. We are looking at how to address these situations during these times based on what we have seen in the past. Communication between JC and schools is happening . Barbara Hamilton is a key figure in handling some of these incidents. Working as a team rather than just one person. • TG— saddened to see 6.8% which is an increase in disparity- recognize how much work is happening, this process takes so much time but these kids don't have that time. There are also continuing issues of the soft bigotry of low expectations, lack of Black kids in AP classes, and this needs to change. • MDR—We know you are working hard, but our vulnerable kids are suffering in real time. Real time pain and that is why working on this is so important. Yes there are no suspensions so far this year during remote but we are paving the way for issues in re-entiy next year which will surely lead to higher discipline disparities. We have to think ahead on re-entry to schools given the mental health/social struggles this year has handed us. We need plans now for the children who are suffering the most and have lost so much this year. Please let the public know what we need to do to help these marginalized children and if we need to advocate for more resources. • Dr. H—the 6.8% breaks my heart. It is not okay and we need to do better. We need to share this video and the work that is happening with the decision makers (and public) and the concerns for next year. Everyone is working hard and there are usually good explanations for the decisions that get made, but I think it would be helpful to have the decision-makers report out on the data