Family Engagement
SoWashCo Schools is committed to sustaining and advancing a safe and welcoming learning environment, which strives to honor and recognize the identities of our students, staff, and community. The purpose of the DEI Department is to support educational equity and inclusion for each student, staff, and family member.
SoWashCo Schools is committed to continuously examining policies and practices to remove obstacles which contribute to systemic inequities. We are charged with fostering anti-racist and anti-bias learning environments, where all are validated and affirmed for who they are, with specific mindfulness paid to the culture, race, or ethnicity of each person in our schools and programs.
The purpose of SoWashCo’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) department is to support the closing of the academic achievement and opportunity gap. The "Achievement and Integration for Minnesota" program is established to pursue racial and economic integration and increase student academic achievement, create equitable educational opportunities, and reduce academic disparities based on students' diverse racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds in Minnesota public schools.
DEI Advisory to Support family engagement
Family engagement creates partnerships between parents, students and educators to further students’ academic success. SoWashCo's DEI Advisory is an opportunity for the community to give feedback on, as well as collaborate to build, systems and structures that support the responsibility of providing equitable experiences to all students, specifically from racial or ethnic groups which are historically underserved, students and families facing economic hardship, and specifically honoring and personalizing learning for the multiple intersectional identities of our students.
Contact
Ashley Acosta-Meyers
DEI Supervisor (Secondary Schools)
aacosta1@sowashco.org
651-425-5726
Gina Spoo
DEI Supervisor (Elementary Schools)
gspoo0@sowashco.org
651-425-6315
James Magee
Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
jmagee@sowashco.org
651-425-6273
Staff of Color and Indigenous Staff Resource Group
SoWashCo Schools receives Achievement and Integration revenue for approved programs and services under the Achievement and Integration Legislation. The Achievement and Integration Plan is a three-year plan. The current plan has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Education as well as SoWashCo School Board.
About academic Success Coaches
Academic success coaches are licensed teachers who support students, academically, socially and emotionally to enhance student success in school. Academic success coaches work in collaboration within school staff, families and the community.
About Cultural Liaisons
Cultural Liaisons connect SoWashCo Schools, families and the community. They are advocates for equity and inclusion, empowering and supporting families to promote student academic success.
Cultural Liaisons assist and support students and families with:
- cultural adjustment
- social-emotional development
- achieving academic success
- developing leadership skills
- career and college readiness
Each liaison works out of several different schools but is available to help any student in the district. Liaisons work in collaboration with school staff, families and the community through the Office of Achievement and Integration.
The Indigenous Education Program at South Washington County Schools was created with the support of the Department of Educational Achievement and Integration, as well as district administration in the 2016-2017 school year.
The goal of the program is to successfully assist our Native American students and their families navigate the school system so our students can reach their full potential to earn a high school diploma and become career and/or college-ready.
Currently, we are able to provide the following services:
- Connect students to culturally relevant academic resources
- Provide academic support
- Attend parent-teacher meetings
- Support American Indian families
- Provide resources to teachers
Contact
Stephanie Schroeder
Indigenous Education Community Coordinator
651-425-6319