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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/16/2016 06 Audience ParticipationDistributed at tbe, Meeting, 1p • 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 H , *1 iz 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 Constructive eonversawns on Race 0r r t' F1Conversations on "F"Kid. 0. {NI I Y�tii1K K\ tithwi chmr[e vimSurvey 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 0 • ' • 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