Mansfield Public Schools has introduced a new resource for staff and families to support its Core Belief to Lead with Equity. A new online Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Calendar is a quick-reference tool about cultural, religious and national observances that are important to families in Mansfield.
The calendar, which is available in a simple pdf form and as an interactive tool, is available on the district’s website at https://mansfieldct.gov/deicalendar.
Superintendent Peter Dart and Information Technology Director Jaime Russell shared with the Board of Education and introduced it to school staff. “In our district’s Core Beliefs, we commit to preparing our students to be Global Citizens who can be stewards of their communities and the larger world. This calendar is a ready resource to learn about observances our friends and neighbors might celebrate in their homes,” says Superintendent Dart. “We also want to ensure equitable opportunities and foster an environment free from discrimination, bias, and prejudice. Becoming more knowledgeable about the diversity of our families is a start to living these Core Beliefs,” he adds.
Staff members have the resource linked to their daily scheduling calendar to make it easy to keep up with current observances. The intention is to make it easy for teachers and support staff to access basic information they can share with students in the daily classroom activities. Additionally, it raises awareness of the various observances and celebrations of students and their families.
The Superintendent used the calendar in proposing the School Year 2023-24 calendar to the Board of Education, recognizing that school scheduling should be equitable. The district’s Diversity-Equity-Inclusion advisory board, made up of school staff, families, and community members established recognition of Mansfield’s diversity as a priority, and this calendar is a beneficial resource.
