HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/16/2016 06 Audience ParticipationDistributed at tbe,
Meeting, 1p
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UNITYWORKS
FOUNDATION
The UnityWorks School Program
www unityworks ora > Programs
Our Mission: UnityWorks is a nonprofit educational organization
working to promote understanding of the oneness of humanity,
the value of diversity and the need for unity
We provide training, materials and support to empower local
communities to raise prejudice -free children; and encourage
schools to develop learning environments where students from all
backgrounds can be successful
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Education is one of the most powerful factors in determining whether people reach their potential
Yet even with the best educational practices and materials, we won't achieve our academic goals without
culturally - responsive classrooms and equitable, inclusive schools. Awareness and good intentions are
not enough We need concrete knowledge, practical skills, resources, moral courage and the will to act
The mission of UnityWorks is to respond to this need.
School Program: Our UnityWorks School Program is designed to educate staff and students about
living in a diverse society, to promote cultural ly- responsive teaching, to increase equity and reduce
prejudice, to improve race relations, to close achievement and opportunity gaps, and to encourage posi-
tive multicultural change Learning about diversity and overcoming prejudice should not be considered
optional add -ons to the curriculum They are a critical part of the education of every child.
Rather than mandating a set curriculum or asking schools to add to an already overloaded schedule,
UnityWorks offers pro - active leadership with a grassroots approach that empowers the site teams at
each school to design and implement their own agendas for change We believe that building local
capacity, and working together in teams within the context of a larger network of support, are critical
for fostering sustainable change
Involvement in the Program begins with an intensive week -long Summer Training Institute for site
teams from each participating school This professional learning event (with clock hours available) is
designed to prepare educators with the knowledge, tools, strategies and resources needed to improve
school culture and student learning, and to develop and carry out a successful Diversity Action Plan
Program Organization: The UnityWorks School Program is organized on three levels
1. Site Team Designs and implements a Diversity Action Plan based on its own priorities
2 District Coordinator- Spearheads the local program and assists the site team at each school*
3 UnityWorks Foundation- Sets guidelines and provides materials, training and ongoing support
* If two or more schools from the same district wish to loin, the district is asked to identify
a staff member who will provide leadership and support for the participating site teams
The Coordinator may arrange for site visits, a multicultural conference and other local events
UnityWorks School Program, www UnityWorks org
Site Team Requirements
Each team should have at least four members an administrator, a teacher, a librarian, counselor
or other staff member serving multiple grade levels, and a parent or community representative
Teams may also include students if desired
2 Teams must commit to attending the UnityWorks Training where they will develop an action plan
3 Each team will meet regularly during the school year to carry out its plan, and will submit three
feedback forms for the UnityWorks newsletter (October, February and June)
How Much Does it Cost?
• $5,000 per school for up to five people, with $1,000 for additional team members
• Covers tuition for the weeklong Training Institute, quarterly newsletter, free download materials,
ongoing phone and email support for one year, then $299 annual membership fee per school
• Each school or district also provides a $1,000 budget directly to the site team for its Action Plan
Educational Resources: UnityWorks also offers easy -to -use curriculum guides with step -by -step
lesson plans, colorful PowerPoint programs for children on diversity, skin color and overcoming preju-
dice, conversation starter kits with guidelines and activities for facilitating constructive conversations on
race, a School Climate Survey, a multicultural conference planning guide, and other resources Visit us
online < www unityworks org > and click on Bookstore
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The Big Picture: Unity is one of the overarching needs of our time, yet it remains an elusive hope
How do we move beyond a fractured understanding of humanity and people -made barriers to create a
society where all feel welcome, where differences are valued and people are treated with justice, dignity
and respect?
Rather than feeling powerless and discouraged in the face of recent events, UnityWorks believes that
educators have an essential role to play in creating the future we wish to see We may not be
responsible for the past, but together we can take responsibility for our common destiny In a world
struggling with injustice, hate and war, our classrooms can become models of hope for the future
Join Us! If you are interested in establishing a UnityWorks Program in your school or district, you can
download an application from our �ti c'h'1J I c We look forward to working with you!
We Need Your Help! Make a strategic investment in your community by spreading the word about
the UnityWorks Program and by contributing on our «ehsite Every dollar makes a difference With
your generous support, together we can create positive and lasting social change
UnityWorks School Program, www UnityWorks org
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• ' • UnityWorks School Program
• Timeline of Site Team Activities
Participation begins
with Summer
Training Institute
For new teams +
new members of
existing teams
For assistance with
planning, resources,
collaborative projects
For all site teams to
network, evaluate,
share best practices
See application Teams develop Arranged by District Arranged by District
form for details Diversity Action Plans Coordinator* Coordinator*
* Note: District participation /approval is required to enroll two or more schools from the same district.
www.uni"orks.org