November 8, 2024
Volume 4, Issue 12
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
The Everett Public Schools is undergoing a yearlong process to evaluate our programs and practices through a lens of how we provide equitable and inclusive learning environments and programs for all in our school community.
This work is being led by Superintendent of Schools William Hart and the district’s DEIB consultant, Victoria Privott (above). “It was great seeing Ms. Privott in the administration building and in our schools this week, as we adopt the best DEIB practices throughout the district,” said Superintendent Hart.
Pictured below is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) district team, which consists of representatives of school and district leaders, educators, staff, and parents. The team is seeking ways to engage various stakeholders in our community, including students, families, and community members, to learn more about how the schools can support our equity and inclusion goals. Its work will also include analysis of documents and data and continued dialogue through focus groups. The outcome of our work will be documented in an equity audit report for the community that outlines our findings, including areas for improvement.
This work is being led by Superintendent of Schools William Hart and the district’s DEIB consultant, Victoria Privott (above). “It was great seeing Ms. Privott in the administration building and in our schools this week, as we adopt the best DEIB practices throughout the district,” said Superintendent Hart.
Pictured below is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) district team, which consists of representatives of school and district leaders, educators, staff, and parents. The team is seeking ways to engage various stakeholders in our community, including students, families, and community members, to learn more about how the schools can support our equity and inclusion goals. Its work will also include analysis of documents and data and continued dialogue through focus groups. The outcome of our work will be documented in an equity audit report for the community that outlines our findings, including areas for improvement.
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Depth of Knowledge: District Instructional Priority
Depth of Knowledge: District Instructional Priority
The district's instructional priority this year is to ensure that students engage in grade-appropriate assignments that meet the depth of grade-level standards and reflect higher levels of Depth of Knowledge.
What is Depth of Knowledge?
Depth of Knowledge (DOK) is a framework that can be used with a common language to categorize the complexity of engagement in academic tasks. Developed in the 1990s by Dr. Norman Webb, DOK can help align, plan, and adjust their learning opportunities into four categories as follows:
Resources to Learn More About Depth of Knowledge:
Description of Webb’s Depth of Knowledge
A Video: Depth of Knowledge: Is it Hard or Complex?
See how to Deconstruct Content Standards to Create DOK levels
Examples of Depth of Knowledge:
Depth of Knowledge (DOK) is a framework that can be used with a common language to categorize the complexity of engagement in academic tasks. Developed in the 1990s by Dr. Norman Webb, DOK can help align, plan, and adjust their learning opportunities into four categories as follows:
- DOK 1: Recall and Reproduction refers to more rote exercises and simple procedures with one correct response.
- DOK 2: Knowledge Application refers to multi-step processes or relationships between processes or concepts.
- DOK 3: Strategic Thinking refers to more abstract problems that can reach unique responses.
- DOK 4: Extended Critical Thinking refers to open-ended tasks that require extended time to address real-world problems, often using multiple sources and perspectives.
Why is it Important?
When we plan instruction across all four levels of DOK, we provide students with the opportunity to reach higher levels of complexity and thinking while they engage in real-world problems and examples. Resources to Learn More About Depth of Knowledge:
Description of Webb’s Depth of Knowledge
A Video: Depth of Knowledge: Is it Hard or Complex?
See how to Deconstruct Content Standards to Create DOK levels
Examples of Depth of Knowledge:
- The Arts, including music, theater, dance and visual arts at the four DOK levels.
- For ELA or History/Social Studies, see examples on pages 8, 12, 16 and 20 in this Guide for Using DOK with the CCSS Flip Chart.
- For Math or Science, see the examples provided on pages 9, 13, 17 and 21 in this Guide for Using DOK with the CCSS Flip Chart.
- Video: Elementary science class.
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Communication Strategies that Support Family Engagement
What is Family Engagement?
Family engagement is an intentional, authentic, respectful, and equal partnership between educators and families with the ultimate goal of positive results for children and youth. How educators communicate with families is just as important as what we communicate.
What are some strategies to extend a warm welcome to families?
Getting off to a Good Start with Diverse Families:
How to Make Schools More Welcoming for LGBT+ Families:
Grandparents raising grandchildren
DESE Communication Strategies that Support Family Engagement
Family engagement is an intentional, authentic, respectful, and equal partnership between educators and families with the ultimate goal of positive results for children and youth. How educators communicate with families is just as important as what we communicate.
What are some strategies to extend a warm welcome to families?
- Unlike handshakes, hugs, and eye contact, a smile will set families at ease regardless of their cultural, religious, or personal experiences.
- Visibly celebrate diversity in your communications and the school environment. Choose images and decorative elements that reflect diverse cultures, communities, generations, and family structures.
- Celebrate the languages of families. Celebrate bilingualism as a superpower and an essential component of the student's and family experiences. Add signs to your spaces in multiple languages. It sends a message to everyone that bilingualism is valued.
- Use inclusive language. For example, instead of saying "parents," use the term "families" to ensure grandparents, foster parents, and adult siblings will feel included.
- Communicate to families, not about them. Underscore your relationship by referring to families as "you" and your school as "we" in your writing.
- Practice empathy for different perspectives by seeking out guidance from affinity and advocacy groups.
Getting off to a Good Start with Diverse Families:
How to Make Schools More Welcoming for LGBT+ Families:
Grandparents raising grandchildren
DESE Communication Strategies that Support Family Engagement
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SEL Skill of The Week: Flexible Thinking
What is it?
Flexible thinking is the cognitive ability to adapt one's approach to problem-solving and adjust to new or unexpected situations. It involves the capacity to consider different perspectives, generate creative solutions, and shift strategies when necessary. Developing flexible thinking often involves practicing open-mindedness, embracing ambiguity, and being willing to challenge one's own assumptions.
Why is it important?
Flexible thinking is an important skill for students to develop, it enhances their ability to adapt to new situations and environments, which is crucial in a world that is constantly changing. When students can approach problems from different angles, they become more adept at navigating challenges and uncertainties, leading to better problem-solving skills.Flexible thinking improves interpersonal relationships. It encourages empathy and a greater appreciation for diverse perspectives, allowing students to understand and respect differing opinions. This is vital for effective collaboration and teamwork.
Resources
Read aloud
Modeling flexible thinking
Wayfinder Activities
Kindergarten through Grade 2
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Flexible thinking is the cognitive ability to adapt one's approach to problem-solving and adjust to new or unexpected situations. It involves the capacity to consider different perspectives, generate creative solutions, and shift strategies when necessary. Developing flexible thinking often involves practicing open-mindedness, embracing ambiguity, and being willing to challenge one's own assumptions.
Why is it important?
Flexible thinking is an important skill for students to develop, it enhances their ability to adapt to new situations and environments, which is crucial in a world that is constantly changing. When students can approach problems from different angles, they become more adept at navigating challenges and uncertainties, leading to better problem-solving skills.Flexible thinking improves interpersonal relationships. It encourages empathy and a greater appreciation for diverse perspectives, allowing students to understand and respect differing opinions. This is vital for effective collaboration and teamwork.
Resources
Read aloud
Modeling flexible thinking
Wayfinder Activities
Kindergarten through Grade 2
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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Professional Development Opportunity
FREE
MTEL Vouchers
The Everett Public Schools (EPS) has free vouchers for staff members who are planning on taking an MTEL test in 2024-2025. To obtain one, simply email Michael Minucci with the name and cost of the MTEL you are scheduled to take.
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