Why is this subcommittee important?

The Policy Subcommittee is important because the focus of our work is to ensure that our policies, procedures and protocols in the Burbank Unified School District are equitable for all people and they are free of racism and discrimination. Our policies should reflect the district’s vision on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

Goals:  

Goal 1: Update the current policy on DEI to include language that the District is against racism.

Goal 2: Create an Anti-Racist Statement

Goal 3: Eventually, create an Anti-Racist Policy along with Administrative Regulations.

(Update: The revised Board Policy on DEI (BP 0415: Equity) and the Anti-Racist statement were approved by the Board of Education on October 15, 2020.  

Why is this subcommittee important?

The Instruction Subcommittee’s work is important because its recommendations will impact the classroom experience of all children, especially children of color, in a positive way.

Goals:

Goal 1: Identify gaps in the K12 Social Science curriculum and make recommendations for materials to make the instruction more inclusive.

Goal 2: Identify books that are problematic for students of color and work through the District process for addressing concerns.

Goal 3: Reward teachers with a stipend for taking courses in diversity, with a sequence of courses perhaps leading to a certificate.

Goal 4: Increase diverse literature choices in classrooms, school libraries, and in core literature choices.

Goal 5: Make a recommendation about an Ethnic Studies course.

Why is this subcommittee important?

The Social Emotional Learning subcommittee is important because it works to supply tools and strategies needed to help our school community regulate emotions, communicate with others effectively, use compassion and empathy to understand the needs of other people, build relationships, and make good choices—all needed components to support an environment that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Goals:

Goal 1: Strengthen the implementation of curriculum as related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Second Step, Peacebuilders, other decision-making curriculum, character building curriculum

Goal 2: Expand the involvement by identified staff in carrying out the DEI-SEL plan including counselors, custodians, teachers, administrators, office staff, and support staff  

Goal 3: Strengthen the implementation of PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) framework, which has SEL components to use data to drive decisions and provides the “why” of  behavior, tools on how to redirect behavior and ways to leverage support tools, such as counseling, behavior contract, Tier III suspensions, SSTs, etc. Special focus on:

• Additional professional development for classified staff
• Strong parent component; and
• More training for teachers 

Why is this subcommittee important?

The Engagement subcommittee is important because it focuses on tactics and strategies needed to support a school culture and environment where students, parents, and employees are safe, supported, included, represented, and emotionally connected, focusing on race, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Goals: 

Goal 1: Work with the school community and the district to create a trusting and open environment

Goal 2: Provide and promote viable communication platforms and opportunities where parents, students, and employees can go to learn and talk about race, diversity, equity and inclusion.

Goal 3: Engage with other subcommittees to support the execution of programs and initiative that further the efforts of diversity, equity and inclusion within the school environment