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Monday, 29 July 2019 15:58

Equity, Social Justice and Inclusion Library

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 Book of the Month Review

August/September

Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain
by Zaretta Hammond   Published in 2014

To close the achievement gap, diverse classrooms need a proven framework for optimizing student engagement. Culturally responsive instruction has shown promise, but many teachers have struggled with its implemention - until now. 

In this book, Zaretta Hammond draws on cultting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction. The book includes:

  • Information on how one's culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships.
  • Ten "key moves" to build students' learners operating systems and prepare them to become independent learners
  • Prompts for action and value self-reflection

 

October/November

Blind Spot
by Banaji and Greenwald   Published 2013

"I know my own mind.
I am able to assess others in a fair and accurate way."

These self-perceptions are challenged by leading psychologists Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald as they explore the hidden biases we all carry from a lifetime of exposure to cultural attitudes about age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, social class, sexuality, disability status, and nationality.

“Blindspot” is the authors’ metaphor for the portion of the mind that houses hidden biases. Writing with simplicity and verve, Banaji and Greenwald question the extent to which our perceptions of social groups―without our awareness or conscious control―shape our likes and dislikes and our judgments about people’s character, abilities, and potential.

In Blindspot, the authors reveal hidden biases based on their experience with the Implicit Association Test, a method that has revolutionized the way scientists learn about the human mind and that gives us a glimpse into what lies within the metaphoric blindspot.

 

December/January

Excellence Through Equity - Five Principles of Courageous Leadership to Guide Achievement for Every Student
by Alan M. Blankstein and Pedro Noguera with Lorena Kelly   Published 2016

Excellence Through Equity is an inspiring look at how real-world educators are creating schools where all students are able to thrive. In these schools, educators understand that equity is not about treating all children the same. They are deeply committed to ensuring that each student receives what he or she individually needs to develop their full potential—and succeed.

To help educators with what can at times be a difficult and challenging journey, Blankstein and Noguera frame the book with five guiding principles of Courageous Leadership:

  • Getting to your core
  • Making organizational meaning
  • Ensuring constancy and consistency of purpose
  • Facing the facts and your fears
  • Building sustainable relationships

They further emphasize that the practices are grounded in three important areas of research that are too often disregarded: (1) child development, (2) neuroscience, and (3) environmental influences on child development and learning.

 

February/March

We Can't Teach What We Don't Know
by Gary Howard  Published 2016

Gary Howard outlines what good teachers know, what they do, and how they embrace culturally responsive teaching. Change Begins With Us: School transformation begins with the teachers' willingness to change their classroom structures, school structures, and themselves. It is crucial that teachers make the commitment to look deep inside themselves to see how they can better their attitudes, practices, and beliefs related to race and cultural differences. This book is a reminder to teaching is more than a job; it is a vocation in which we must dedicate our entire self.

 

April/May

June/July/August 

 

Monday, 29 July 2019 15:58

Mission Statement

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WSD Equity, Justice and Inclusion Mission Statement

Help create a safe and inclusive climate throughout the district
wherein diversity/differences are embraced and celebrated,
every student and employee is inspired to achieve, thrive and grow,
and where each is empowered to act against any form of intolerance, bigotry (and/or) injustice.
 

 

Monday, 29 July 2019 15:58

Celebrating Diverse Weber

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Restorative Practices

Latinos In Action (LIA)

Title VI

Immigrant/Migrant/Refugee Education

 


 

Highlighting schools in Weber School District working towards Equity, Justice, and Inclusion.

Valley View Elementary School


Riverdale Elementary School

Schoolwide assembly for students on "See Something. Do Something." Assembly was led by Bonneville High School studentbody officers, with performance by the Bonneville High School Drumline. 

 Riverdale ELementary "See something, do something" assemblyRiverdale Elementary "See something, do something" assembly #2Riverdale Elementary "See something, do something" assembly #2

 

Orion Junior High School

Latinos In Action Parent Night

Monday, 29 July 2019 15:58

Culturally Responsive Teaching

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Planting Seeds of Equity

Planting Seeds of Equity

Change is a continuous process. You cannot assess it with the static yardstick of a limited time frame. When a seed is sown into the ground, you cannot immediately see the plant. You have to be patient. With time, it grows into a large tree. And then the flowers bloom, and only then can the fruits be plucked. - Mamata Banerjee

Culturally Responsive Teaching 

Culturally Responsive Teaching is teaching and leading in such a way that more of your students, across more of their differencing, achieve at a high level and engage at a deeper level. It is knowing and understanding your students.

Cultural Competence 

Cultural Competence is the will and ability to form authentic and effective relationships across differences. 

 

Resources 

The 7 principles of Culturally Responsive Teaching - .pdf document  - Gary Howard 

  1. Students are affirmed in their cultural connections
  2. Teachers are personally inviting 
  3. The classroom is physically and culturally inviting 
  4. Students are reinforced for academic development
  5. Instructional changes are made to accommodate differences
  6. The classroom is managed with a firm, consistent, loving control
  7. Interactions stress collectivity as well as individuality

 

Culture Responsive Teaching & The Brain - website

Culturally responsive pedagogy can be a game-changer in a school’s pursuit of educational equity. There are misconceptions about what culturally responsive pedagogy is and how it works. CRT is more than just a set of multicultural activities, social justice lessons, or kinesthetic learning strategies. It is so much more. Check out the resources at this site.

 

Teaching Tolerance - website 

Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators—teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners—who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use our materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.

 

Monday, 29 July 2019 15:57

Community Events

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Calendar

Hispanic Heritage Month - September/October

Bullying Prevention Month - October

Unity Day - October 20, 2021

LGBT History Month - October

National American Indian Heritage Month - November

International Holocaust Remembrance Day - January 27

American History Month - February

Black History Month - Feburary

Greek-American Heritage Month - March

Gender Equality Month - March

National Women's History Month - March

World Autism Awareness Day - April 2

National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - May

Jewish American Heritage Month - May

LGBT Pride Month - June

 

Community Connections

 

CHILD FIND NOTICE

It is the responsibility of Weber School District (WSD) to identify any child who is a resident of WSD who may have a disability, regardless of the severity of the disability. Children eligible for Section 504 accommodations or services include those children who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.

If you suspect your child has a disability and does not qualify special education services,
please contact your child’s teacher, or call the District’s Student Services Coordinators at 801-476-7811 to ask about 504 accommodations or for additional information. 

 

Resources for parents:

Section 504 Parent Guide of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [ENGLISH]
Section 504 Parent Guide of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [SPANISH]
Section 504 Parent & Student Rights and Safeguards [ENGLISH]
Section 504 Parent & Student Rights and Safeguards [SPANISH]
Section 504 Complaint Form
Section 504 Letter to Health Care Professionals
Section 504 Consent for Evaluation Form
Sección 504 Formulario De Consentimiento Para Evaluación

Transition Timeline - For Students in Grades 9-12 Transitioning from High School to College
[SPANISH] Transicón Cronograma - For Students in Grades 9-12 Transitioning from High School to College 
Post-Seconday 504 Accommodation Plans

 

Resources for school administrators:

Section 504 Consent for Evaluation Form [ENGLISH]
Section 504 Consent for Evaluation Form [SPANISH]
Section 504 Eligibility and Planning Worksheet
Section 504 Teacher Input Form
Dear Colleague Letter
A Parent Guide to Section 504 - Tri-fold Brochure [ENGLISH]
A Parent Guide to Section 504 - Tri-fold Brochure [SPANISH]

 


     (click to images to enlarge)

504 VS. IEP

Don't ask which plan is better? What plan should I get? Instead, ask which plan is my student eligible for?

Similarities (Both Plans) 

  • Support students with disabilities
  • Require a proper evaluation for eligibility
  • Require a proper team to make decisions
  • Are available in public schools
  • Are provided at no additional cost to parents
  • Allow for parent or teacher to refer

Differences 

Category504IEP
Law 504 from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, in conjunction with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (amended in 2009) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 (amended in 2004)
Purpose Provides equal access, non-discrimination, and accomodations in the learning environment. Provides an individualized education plan for students who require specialized instruction to progress.
Eligibility Must have a disability that "substantially limits a major life activity" and requires accommodation. Must have a disability that adversely impacts learning and requires "specialized instruction" to make progress. Must fit within one of 13 eligibility categories.
The Plan Accommodations to ensure equal access in the learning environment. Includes accommodations and/or modifications, goals, services and times, and other supports.
Team Persons knowledgeable about the student, evaluation, and programs. Parent, regular ed. teacher, administrator, student (if old enough), and other professionals as appropriate.
Review Plan and eligibility reviewed "periodically". Also when a major change of service is requested. Plan reviewed annually. Eligibility reviewed every three years.

 

 

 

 

Monday, 29 July 2019 15:46

Educational Equity & Federal Programs

Written by

Jamie Ellis Equity Director (801) 476-7888

Jamie Ellis

Equity Director

(801) 476-7888

Melanie Malan Language Culture and Community Specialist (801) 476-7879

Melanie Malan

Language Culture and Community Specialist

(801) 476-7879

Priscila Furlanetto Language Culture and Community Specialist (801) 476-7800

Priscila Furlanetto

Language Culture and Community Specialist

(801) 476-7800

Sandy Lambert Equity Secretary (801) 476-7865

Sandy Lambert

Equity Secretary

(801) 476-7865

5320 ADAMS AVE PARKWAY
OGDEN, UT 84405

Military Family Resources

School’s Military Liaison

  • Weber School District Liaison
    Melanie Malan, WSD Military Family Liaison
    Ph: 801-476-7879
    Email:

  • HAFB School Liaison
    Matt Mason, HAFB School Liaison
    Ph: 801-775-5960
    Email: matthew.mason.9@us.af.mil 

Weber School District Military Support Team 

  • Melanie Malan, WSD Military Family Liaison
    Ph: 801-476-7879
    Email:

  • Jamie Ellis, WSD Federal Programs Director
    Ph: 801-746-7888
    Email:

WSD Demographics

Weber School District is home to 35,276 students, including 7311 students of racial diversity.

Wednesday, 12 June 2019 08:04

Webmaster Brainblast

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You are now signed up to attend our special Webmaster Brainblast!

The Brainblast conference will be at Fremont High School.   

1900 N 4700 W, Plain City, UT 84404

AUGUST 9TH, 2019

Look for more email reminders the week before the conference!

 

If you want to receive email reminders to a different email please let us know by emailing  and copying any emails you wish to add as a reminder emails.  Make the "Subject" of the email  "Webmaster Reminder".

Wednesday, 15 May 2019 09:18

Utah AHEC Triumphs!

We enjoyed hosting Roy High School for their Career Exploration activity at WSU. The students spent 4 hours with us as they rotated in groups through a campus tour, a hands-on Anatomage table demonstration, tours of the plasticized cadaver lab, and the simulations lab. There were 45 students (one which happened to be a NUAHEC Scholar, to our surprise). 

We're excited about our NUAHEC Scholars upcoming high school graduations. They complete our program on May 17th and will receive a certificate of completion, a letter of congratulations from Dean Simonian, Dr. Magill, and Dr. Briesacher as well as the coveted first edition NUAHEC Scholar graduation medal. Just in time to wear their medal during their (8 different) high school graduations the following week. It's been a privilege to have them in our program and to develop what we hope will be lifelong relationships with each of them. 

Students tour hospital roomStudents tour hospital room

Students talking together in a computer lab.

Wednesday, 15 May 2019 09:08

Orion FACS Serves the Community

Heather Smith Orion FACS teacher shows off the projects that she has been working on with her FACS students. She and her students made these for patients at Primary Children's Hospital. They also made some awesome Chromebook cases for Orion Jr. High. These projects benefited others.    

Pink stuffed animal that was made by Orion FACSTwo FACS Students show stuffed animal projects

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