CCS takes steps toward anti-bias

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September 6, 2012

CCS takes steps toward anti-bias

Staff attends ADL training before school kicks off

MICHELLE MILLER STAFF WRITER The Cooperstown Crier Thu Sep 13, 2012, 03:48 PM EDT

CHERRY VALLEY — What if all flowers were roses? The garden would seem pretty dull and boring. The same could be said if all people were the same.

This was one example used during anti-discrimination training that all Cooperstown Central School staff — from teachers to bus drivers — attended Tuesday.

Training was provided by representatives of the Anti-Defamation League’s World of Difference Institute, a leading provider of anti-bias and diversity training programs and resources. According to the organization’s website, the institute seeks to help participants: recognize bias and the harm it inflicts on individuals and society; explore the value of diversity; improve intergroup relations; and combat racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of prejudice and bigotry.

Superintendent C.J. Hebert told the auditorium full of CCS employees that they were brought together because of the fear of the unknown — “the fear of what appears to be different from us, and the fear of not being accepted into a group.”

Hebert said he invited members in the community and district to serve on the Character Education Research Committee last year. The task of the committee was two-fold, he said. The first task being to review the character education initiatives the district already had and determine their viability and articulation with those employed at other levels. The second task was to review known research-based programs that will not only put the school district in compliance with The Dignity of All Students Act, but ensure that there is a character education and an anti-discrimination program that is appropriate and will support all the employees as well as the students.

In conclusion, the committee recommended using The World of Difference and Habitudes (a growing leaders program) initiatives. The all-day ADL staff training was an initial step moving forward to promote intergroup respect and an inclusive learning community.

“From its early days of working with (desegregating) the Boston City School Districts to today’s presentations, the Anti-Defamation League has remained committed to helping organizations not only stop discriminatory practices, but to also recognize subtle messages that are sent to those who don’t fit the mold,” Hebert said.

Before going into a lot of detail about the training, ADL representative Jason Sirois revealed that the organization is about to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The ADL was founded in 1913 “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all,” he said.

“That is why I love working for the ADL,” he added. “It is about making sure that everybody, regardless of religion, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, culture or whatever it might be is free to live the life that they want to. And I think as educators we have a special opportunity to have an impact on the leaders and the future leaders of our world. And that is why we are here today.”

Sirois said it is important to train every staff member at a district — not just certain teachers. He said training staff is a key component of The Dignity for All Students Act, which the state enacted to seek to provide public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function. The Dignity Act was signed into law on September 13, 2010 and took effect on July 1,

“The goal today is for all of you to walk out of here with a better sense of where you’re at in terms of your identity, and how that impacts your work with your students. We also want to give you an opportunity to get together to talk about where you see Cooperstown School going moving forward in compliance with the Dignity Act, but more than the Dignity Act. Just what is right for your students,” Sirois said.

Sirois said he was talking to employees before the gathering who said that CCS is already such wonderful place to work. There was a sense that some thought this training might be a case of “preaching to the choir,” he said. However, Sirois’ response is: “Even so, a choir always needs practice.”

“We hope today, that in these sessions, whether you are an instructional teacher or a non-instructional staff, we hope that you walk out of here with practice and ideas on how that you, individually have to make Cooperstown even more inclusive for everybody who walks into your doors. That is our goal today.”

CCS staff then dispersed into rooms where lessons were taught by ADL facilitators. The day’s agenda included opening remarks, coming up with group agreements, an introduction activity, exploring anti-bias principals, going over anti-bias model lessons, reviewing the study guide and coming up with action planning.

The goal, according to one facilitator, is to practice exercises that can be used in the classrooms and for staff to learn to lead by example.

___________

Students begin classes today.

Students in the Elementary School will follow this schedule:

   Arrival at school 8 to 8:10 a.m.

       Pledge of Allegiance and announcements at 8:13 a.m.

   All walkers and pick-ups dismissed at 2:45 p.m.

   All bus students dismissed at 2:50 p.m.

Students in the Middle/High School will follow this schedule:

       Arrival at school 7:50 to 8:10 a.m.

       Pledge of Allegiance and announcements at 8:12 a.m.

   All bus students dismissed at 2:45 p.m.

   All other students dismissed at 2:50 p.m.

       Morning and afternoon BOCES students will attend the BOCES center.

Full paid breakfast prices for 2012-13 will be $1.10; full paid lunch prices will be $1.85 for grades K-6 and $1.95 for grades 7-12.