CANTON — Superintendent Jill Rossetti is pleased to announce that Blue Hills Regional Technical School recently established the Conversations about Culture and Climate (CCC) Group.
The group focuses on discussions around diversity, inclusion, ethnicity, belonging and culture, with the goal of cultivating an atmosphere of mutual respect within the school.
The first group meeting was held on Thursday, Feb. 18. Going forward, the group plans to meet virtually every other Thursday at 1 p.m.
The group serves as a platform for students to express their thoughts and ideas in an open and honest environment. Faculty will work with the students in order to implement their ideas at the school, in hopes of working towards the betterment of the entire Blue Hills community.
The group plans to implement new ideas, including cultural learning nights, cultural dance nights and other events.
Additionally, at the meetings students participate in culturally engaging activities. At the most recent meeting, students were asked to share a culturally significant item that represents their family and background.
“I am grateful to our faculty who have worked so hard to establish a way for students to be heard. This is something that has been missing from the school experience,” said Superintendent Rossetti. “Our students have great ideas on ways to make the school a better place and it is important that we listen and learn from them.”
The creation of this new group was made possible through the efforts of English Teacher Grace Magnani, Social Studies Teacher Wapaemi Wariboko and Guidance Counselors Jeremy Fischer and Emily Burns.
“Two years ago, Ms. Magnani and I went from Career Technical Education program to CTE program and talked with students in small groups about diversity and inclusion. We found that students wanted an outlet for more conversations like these,” said Wariboko. “Those talks became an inspiration for us to establish the CCC and I am so excited to finally see this group come to fruition.”
“It is difficult to make changes, but discussions are the gateway to change and that is why the CCC will be so valuable to the Blue Hills community,” said senior Shanai Watson. “As a senior, I know that this is a positive thing to pass on to students that will come after me.”
All members of the student body are invited to participate in the group. Current members are encouraged to bring a buddy to the next meeting.
Join Conversations about Culture and Climate at Blue Hills
The group welcomes new members who are passionate about diversity and inclusion. Anyone interested in learning more about the group or becoming a member is encouraged to contact Grace Magnani at gmagnani@bluehills.org or Wapaemi Wariboko at wwariboko@bluehills.org.
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