Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Radnor Township School District is committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment for all families, students and staff.
Goals
- Every family, student, and staff member feels welcomed and safe at our schools.
- Diversity is celebrated, all are included, and decisions are made using an equity lens.
2022-23 RTSD Book Study: Belonging Through a Culture of Dignity
To continue to help Radnor Township School District develop a strong and withstanding culture of belonging, dignity and inclusion, all RTSD staff members have been provided a copy of the book "Belonging Through a Culture of Dignity" to read over the summer of 2022 as part of a district-wide staff book study. Staff will participate in conversations about the book over the course of the 2022-23 school year and sessions with the book's author(s) are also planned.
In "Belonging Through a Culture of Dignity," authors Floyd Cobb and John Krownapple argue that educational equity is based on the foundational elements of dignity and belonging, which they define as “the extent to which people feel appreciated, validated, accepted and treated fairly within.” The book seeks to make the concepts of dignity and belonging accessible and explain their importance in the implementation of educational equity initiatives.
What is Diversity, Equity & Inclusion?
What is Diversity?
Diversity is understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, (dis)ability status, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.
What is Equity?
Equity is an approach that ensures everyone access to the same opportunities. Equity recognizes that advantages and barriers exist, and that, as a result, we all don’t start from the same place. Equity is a process that begins by acknowledging that unequal starting place and continues to correct and address the imbalance.
What is Inclusion?
Inclusion is involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized. An inclusive organization promotes and sustains a sense of belonging; it values and practices respect for the talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of living of its members.
Guiding Pillars
Committees
Districtwide Task Force
- Comprised of building and central office administrators
- Reviews recommendations from parent, school based and student DEI committees
Parent/PTO Advisory Committees
- One committee for each level (elementary, middle, high)
- Provides feedback from the parent perspective
- Will meet at least four times in 2020-2021
School-Based Committee
- One committee for each building (IES, RES, WES, RMS, RHS)
- Comprised of faculty and staff; meets at least monthly
- Helps to support principals in carrying out the District’s DEI work
Student Advisory Committee
- One committee for RMS and one for RHS
- Provides feedback from the student perspective
- Will meet at least every 6-8 weeks in 2020-2021
Overview of Work
Parent/Guardian Resources
- American Psychological Association: Talking to Kids About Discrimination
- Anti-Defamation League: Discussing Hate and Violence with Children
- Anti-Defamation League
- Book Riot: 30 Children's Books about Diversity that Celebrate our Differences
- Center for Racial Justice Education: Resources for Talking about Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with Kids
- Embrace Race: Tools, Resources, Discussion Spaces, and Networks to Meet the Challenges of Raising Children in a World Where Race Matters
- National Association for the Education of Young Children: Preparing Young Children for the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities into the Classroom
- National Association of School Psychologists: Social Justice
- National Association of School Psychologists: Supporting Vulnerable Students in Stressful Times
- National Parent Teacher Association: Discussing Difficult Topics with Your Children
- National Public Radio: Talking Race with Young Children
- NBC News: How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism
- Pennsylvania PBS Celebrates Black History Month
- Southern Poverty Law Center: Beyond the Golden Rule: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice