inclusion

Essex Tech Receives $750 Grant from Foundation Trust

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Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School
Dr. Heidi T. Riccio, Superintendent
565 Maple Street
Hathorne, MA 01937

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Essex Tech Receives $750 Grant from Foundation Trust

DANVERS — Superintendent Heidi Riccio is pleased to announce that Essex Tech has been awarded a $750 grant from the Foundation Trust to support efforts to increase diversity awareness.

The $750 grant will support the school’s Cultural Awareness Collective, a group of students at Essex Tech who work to educate faculty, staff and students to respect the differences between various cultures and promote acceptance and inclusion. Approximately 40 students are involved in the club, with 15 students actively attending each weekly meeting.

“We’re thrilled to have been awarded this funding from the Foundation Trust, which will support the vision and work of our Cultural Awareness Collective,” Superintendent Riccio said. “Cultivating a school community that recognizes and celebrates diversity and is sensitive to multicultural concerns is critical for supporting all of our students and preparing them to be thoughtful, considerate and informed citizens.”

A small group of students came together to form the Cultural Awareness Collective approximately two years ago, and since then have worked together to educate Essex Tech staff and students about diversity and sensitivity. Members of the group have provided professional development to faculty during in-service days to raise awareness of cultural sensitivity and proficiency. The students are also working to grow the Cultural Awareness Collective, and continue to welcome new members to their organization.

Thanks to the grant funding, the group will be working together to develop a service project that benefits the community at large.

“The Cultural Awareness Collective is undertaking important work to foster an inclusive atmosphere at ENSATS. The Foundation Trust is proud to support their efforts to advance kindness and understanding,” said Lauren Liecau, Manager of Outreach and Development at the Foundation Trust.

The Foundation Trust 

The Foundation Trust is a private philanthropic foundation serving Greater Boston. In supporting the important work of small to medium-sized nonprofit organizations, the Foundation Trust strives to enhance individual well-being and community development.  Learn more at www.FoundationTrust.org

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King Philip Regional High School Recognized as Special Olympics Massachusetts Unified Champion School

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King Philip Regional School District
Paul Zinni, Superintendent
18 King Street
Norfolk, MA 02056

For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 27, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

King Philip Regional High School Recognized as Special Olympics Massachusetts Unified Champion School

WRENTHAM — Superintendent Paul Zinni is pleased to announce that King Philip Regional High School has been recognized by Special Olympics Massachusetts as an official Special Olympics Massachusetts Unified Champion School.

Special Olympics Massachusetts honored King Philip’s commitment to inclusion by awarding the school with a certificate for its continuous efforts to provide opportunities and activities for all. The school was honored for embodying what it means to be a Unified Champion School through unified sports, inclusive youth leadership programs and whole-school engagement.

“We strive to provide effective activities that equip our students with the tools and training needed to create a community that welcomes everyone,” King Philip High School Principal Lisa Mobley said.

King Philip has joined the ranks of 26 other Unified Champion Schools in Massachusetts. The schools have been invited to continue their community-wide efforts of inclusion and apply for national recognition as a Unified Champion School in the spring.

“King Philip aims to be a leader in acceptance and embracing our differences,” Superintendent Zinni said. “Our goal is to foster a climate of understanding in our schools where students with disabilities feel welcomed and included.”

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Oyster River Cooperative School District to Conduct Training on Diversity and Inclusion with Andrew C. Smith

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Oyster River Cooperative School District
SAU No. 5
Superintendent James Morse
36 Coe Drive
Durham, NH 03824

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Oyster River Cooperative School District to Conduct Training on Diversity and Inclusion with Andrew C. Smith

New Hampshire Disproportionate Minority Contact Coordinator working Directly with District

DURHAM — Oyster River Cooperative School District Superintendent James Morse reports that the district is working with Andrew C. Smith, the state’s Disproportionate Minority Contact Coordinator, to conduct employee training on diversity and inclusion for the upcoming school year.

The goal is to have 100 percent of all district faculty, staff, and administrators participate in the valuable sessions conducted by Smith.

Smith has been the New Hampshire State DMC Coordinator since 2011. He has 25 years of experience as an Independent Management Consultant specializing in Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership Development, Change Management and Cultural Transformation. He also works with high level clients including the Department of Homeland Security, Amtrak, and the St. Louis Police Department.

“Andrew Smith brings years of experience and expertise to bear. The state relies on him as a resource on diversity and inclusion, and we are very fortunate to have him in our schools, working directly with our staff,” Superintendent Morse said.

“In times of stress and crisis, Americans have always worked together based on freedom, equality, justice and humanity,” Smith said. “This is one of those times and we will prevail again.”

Two incidents at the start of the school year caused Superintendent Morse to reexamine the district’s approach to multicultural diversity and respect for others. The school district is also planning a multicultural forum and is conducting a review of its curriculum, policies and procedures regarding how members of the community treat each other. The district is also consulting with the NAACP to assist in improving the district’s approach to diversity. The goal of the forum is to improve the district’s approach to diversity.

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