Introduction
We believe that systems matter. We believe that leadership practice must be actively anti-racist and anti-oppressive, and the strategies to support our staff, families, and students must be comprehensive and coordinated, not random. In order to confront racism, resist oppression, and dismantle policies, practices, procedures, and behaviors rooted in bias, necessitates a system-wide approach, a focus on equity from the Boardroom to the Classroom to the Living Room.
Board Equity Statement
Originally adopted in 2018, during February 2022 the School Board updated and reaffirmed the School District Equity Statement, which also serves as the Board’s Preamble to their complete catalog of Board Policies. The School District Equity Statement serves as a directive for profound transformation in the way the Sun Prairie Area School District serves its community, families, and most important students. This statement boldly sets a “tone from the top” for the organization, a charge to the district and an expectation from which to monitor progress.
SPASD Instructional Framework
An Instructional Framework Design Team met throughout the 2021-22 school year to create an SPASD Instructional Framework. An instructional framework is an interrelated set of systems and expectations that guide curriculum, instruction, assessment, and learning climate. It combines the specific expectations for how students learn, with specific strategies and practices to guide teaching and assessment. It includes equitable multi-level systems of support (EMLSS), data-driven instruction, instructional expectations, professional development, lesson design, and teacher collaboration in professional learning communities (PLCs). Each system is influenced by the other systems.
Department of Systemic Equity and Inclusion
The Office of Systemic Equity and Inclusion is responsible for co-creating and assisting in the execution of short- and long-range equity goals and strategies supporting the district’s strategic plan, mission, vision, and equity framework while specifically promoting a climate of equity and inclusion for all. The DSEI works in collaboration with all department leaders to review and revise institutional policies, practices, structures, and programs fostering a climate of equity and acceptance that respects, values, and responds to the diversity of students, staff, parents, and the community. The DSEI coaches site E-Teams using strategies from Courageous Conversation About Race around their identified problems of practice aimed at addressing inequities that adversely impact marginalized students.
DSEI Community Cabinet
The DSEI Community Cabinet is a diverse caregiver group charged with helping to improve communication, transparency, and relational trust between the district and community. The community cabinet meets monthly to Learn, Share, Grow and Connect on important topics that they have requested more in-depth information on. Community Cabinet members identified five focus priorities for the 2021-2022 school year. District leaders who serve as process leads present and provide deeper understanding on the respected topics, answer questions, and listen to feedback.
Grow Your Own Program
This program serves as a workforce development initiative to recruit and retain diverse teacher talent that reflects the diverse community of Sun Prairie. Facilitated by our Human Resources Department, we partner with colleges, universities, and other certifying entities to meet the local teacher workforce needs by subject area specifically focused on social justice and equitable outcomes for all students. The Sun Prairie Area School District offers financial aid/tuition to encourage support staff employees to complete a degree in education in shortage areas such as ML, special education, math, science, family and consumer education, physical education to name a few. We are committed to providing opportunities for career advancement and professional growth for people within this organization.
Restorative Justice Program
In order to effectively and systematically implement and expand our restorative practices, the Sun Prairie Area School District has created a district-wide Restorative Practices Program, including Restorative Practice (RP) Coach positions, beginning with each of our three 6-8th grade middle schools in 2022-23. The RP Coach will work with a variety of school and district-based staff and community partners to improve district and school culture, increase attendance and academic achievement for identified students, reduce suspensions and expulsions, and will support the school-wide implementation of restorative practices by developing and facilitating professional development as well as assessing and evaluating progress. The RP Coach provides site-based professional development and workshops for a variety of stakeholders while emphasizing and modeling equitable and culturally responsive practices. The RP Coach will be trained in Restorative Justice and will oversee the implementation of Restorative Justice programming at the school sites.
Community Schools
The Sun Prairie Community Schools organization are the hubs of neighborhoods, uniting educators, community partners, and families to provide all students with top-quality academics, enrichment, health and social services, and opportunities to learn and thrive. In Sun Prairie, we use the Community Schools strategy to support improving academic achievement for all students, while targeting supports especially for our students of color and economically disadvantaged students, reducing student chronic absenteeism, and increasing family connectedness to the school and community.
