1. How is the challenge of making stakeholders feel welcome to your school (or place of work) connected to your school mission?
While the language of my school's mission statement successfully conveys what the school hopes to accomplish with students through words such as "highest potential," "opportunities," and "discovery," it does not convey cultural inclusion. Even we as a school practice it, it not explicitly stated. It does, however, have "collaborative team" that includes all of the major stakeholders at the school (parents, teachers, parents, and the community). It can be challenging to write a succinct and inclusive mission statement, but even though ours lack any mention of culture, it does acknowledge those that are involved in the educational of our students.
2. What did you do to assess which stakeholder group (or subgroup) could be more effectively welcomed? And what did you find?
In order to find which group would be a prime target for outreach and welcoming, I looked at the population make up of our school through the SARC. From there, I noticed that Hispanics (16%) and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged (35%) were the largest groups after the White (78%) population. From this, I looked at what programs my school was already running to reach out to the community and different groups. I found very little outreach towards those two groups. This is why I believe those groups can benefit from feeling more included and integrated into the school.
3. Future Sphere of Influence: What would you do to improve welcoming this group if you were the school leader?
By creating a couple of different outreach opportunities for those families, we can make them feel included. From: informative meetings and workshops on how to fill out paperwork or where to find additional resources to help their families. I remember reading about low cost internet service for example for families that qualify for free/reduced lunch. Many families go without internet because of the cost. Holding those workshops/meetings at the beginning of the year can help families not only feel included but also supported. If there are translators (such as Spanish ones) for those that need it, this would aid in welcoming those diverse gorups.
4. Current Sphere of Influence: What can you do in your present position to enhance welcoming these stakeholders?
As a teacher of Spanish, I will make sure that my students are culturally aware and sensitive about other cultures. Even if it not in our mission statement, it is something that I know students need and I know they are always willing to learn about others.
Current Sphere of Influence: Commit to 5 things you are willing to do this semester that will make your school a more welcoming place:
While the language of my school's mission statement successfully conveys what the school hopes to accomplish with students through words such as "highest potential," "opportunities," and "discovery," it does not convey cultural inclusion. Even we as a school practice it, it not explicitly stated. It does, however, have "collaborative team" that includes all of the major stakeholders at the school (parents, teachers, parents, and the community). It can be challenging to write a succinct and inclusive mission statement, but even though ours lack any mention of culture, it does acknowledge those that are involved in the educational of our students.
2. What did you do to assess which stakeholder group (or subgroup) could be more effectively welcomed? And what did you find?
In order to find which group would be a prime target for outreach and welcoming, I looked at the population make up of our school through the SARC. From there, I noticed that Hispanics (16%) and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged (35%) were the largest groups after the White (78%) population. From this, I looked at what programs my school was already running to reach out to the community and different groups. I found very little outreach towards those two groups. This is why I believe those groups can benefit from feeling more included and integrated into the school.
3. Future Sphere of Influence: What would you do to improve welcoming this group if you were the school leader?
By creating a couple of different outreach opportunities for those families, we can make them feel included. From: informative meetings and workshops on how to fill out paperwork or where to find additional resources to help their families. I remember reading about low cost internet service for example for families that qualify for free/reduced lunch. Many families go without internet because of the cost. Holding those workshops/meetings at the beginning of the year can help families not only feel included but also supported. If there are translators (such as Spanish ones) for those that need it, this would aid in welcoming those diverse gorups.
4. Current Sphere of Influence: What can you do in your present position to enhance welcoming these stakeholders?
As a teacher of Spanish, I will make sure that my students are culturally aware and sensitive about other cultures. Even if it not in our mission statement, it is something that I know students need and I know they are always willing to learn about others.
Current Sphere of Influence: Commit to 5 things you are willing to do this semester that will make your school a more welcoming place:
- Saying hello to everyone with a smile
- Being helpful to those that need it
- Helping in outreach programs should the opportunity arise
- Teaching to be more welcoming and friendly
- Bring up the outreach ideas to my administrator