Inspire School of Arts & Sciences is Taking the Next Step Toward Equity and Inclusion
At its meeting of November 8, 2021, the Inspire School of Arts & Sciences Board of Directors unanimously approved an Equity Resolution, codifying the public charter high school’s commitment to antiracism.
This resolution comes after a months-long effort by Inspire’s newly-formed Equity Team to strengthen the institution’s policies and practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Led by Equity Coordinator Evita North, the Equity Team collaborated across campus to draft A Resolution in Support of Equal Treatment for All, committing to take an “active role in eliminating all forms of racism and social injustice in its operations” and adopting “equity as a guiding principle in all [Inspire] activities.”
This step in our journey as a campus and community is the result of intentional dialogue and planning by students, staff, teachers, and families alike, and we are proud to be taking it alongside the Inspire family. We are grateful to all who have contributed to this effort.
Evita North, Equity Coordinator and social sciences teacher, noted that the passing of the resolution is indeed a big step in the right direction and that our work will continue to evolve from here. Inspire School of Arts & Sciences has always been a learning organization, and the time is right for us to deepen our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Mrs. North shared, “It is clear that from the Board level all the way to our student body, Inspire is ready to take on institutional change that prioritizes the voices and experiences of the most marginalized of us, that faces history head-on, and that advances policies and practices that encourage healthy civil discourse. Our ultimate goal is to cultivate critical thinkers and ensure the academic and psychological success of every single student who steps foot on our campus.”
An anti-racism stance requires us to actively address each student and family’s unique circumstances, identifications, and institutionalized barriers. While it is a tall order, it is our mandate as an educational institution that prioritizes the well-being of all students.
What’s Next?
Our campus and community can expect the principles of the Resolution in Support of Equal Treatment for All to be reflected in school wide activities as well as events welcoming the broader community. We look forward to sharing this progress with you, and thank you for joining us in making Inspire a safer and more accessible place for all.
