Systemic Equity & Inclusion

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.

 

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Pacific Educational Group

Equal Opportunity School

School Based Black Student Unions

BEAM Awards
In 2021, over 469 students received Black Excellence Achievement Makers (BEAM) awards and were recognized in a parade-style ceremony. The community held signs of encouragement along the parade route and celebrated

Read Your Heart Out Events 
Westside and Northside Elementary Schools hosted virtual Read Your Heart Out events in honor of National African American Parent Involvement Day. This year guests included Gov. Tony Evers, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, former UW-–Madison basketball player Nigel Hayes, and members of the Sun Prairie Fire Department. It was a great day for our community to come together. Over 600 students and community members participated in celebrating our Black and African American students’ culture through the love of reading.

100 Black Men of Madison
The DSEI partners with the 100 Black Men of Madison to bring distinct opportunities to our scholars. In the 2021-22 school year, the partnership brought the African American History Challenge Bowl to our schools, in which schools were given the opportunity to create teams. Cardinal Heights' team went on to compete in the regional competition. 

Equity Teams

Central to achieving educational equity is the development of and strong support for school leaders who serve as the guiding coalition to ensure successful systemic equity transformation in their schools. Each site’s Equity Team (E-Team), consisting of 8-10 equity focused, anti-racist leaders (principal, teachers, and other school staff), participates in significant professional learning focused on deepening their understanding of race and equity, and how to develop and then guide the implementation of the school’s Equity Transformation Plan. E-Teams examine their school’s policies, practices, programs, structures, climate and culture, and data to identify problems of practice as barriers to equity and excellence, and use strategies supported by Courageous Conversations About Race to lead systemic change efforts that result in high levels of achievement for all students. E-Teams are responsible for aligning their school’s Equity Transformation Plan with existing school and district strategic priorities, ensuring all efforts are streamlined for optimal and equitable student achievement results. Led by the principal, E-Teams design and deliver professional development activities that shift the culture of the school toward embracing school-wide equity transformation.  E-Teams receive coaching support from the Department of Systemic Equity and Inclusion. 

The JEDI Alliance is a diverse caregiver group charged with helping to improve communication, transparency, and relational trust between the district and community. The Department of Systemic Equity and Inclusion has created the JEDI Alliance as a space where people of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities feel welcome and supported. We celebrate the unique perspectives that diversity brings and understand that inclusion is key to innovation and growth. We understand that advancing equity is an ongoing journey that requires listening, learning, and adapting. We acknowledge that deep-rooted inequalities exist within our society, and we are committed to identifying and dismantling the policies, practices, and cultural norms that perpetuate these disparities. This includes examining our own organization’s processes and making necessary changes.

 

December 4, 2023 Click HERE to view the screencast presentation regarding the Equity Update - MSAN Student Conference.

December 4, 2023 Click HERE to view the screencast presentation regarding the Equity Update - Early College STEM Academy.

November 20, 2023 Click HERE to view the screencast presentation for the school showcase - Prairie Phoenix Academy.

October 9, 2023 - Click HERE to view the screencast presentation regarding our District's partnership with CEOs of Tomorrow.

December 5, 2022 - Click HERE to view the screencast presentation regarding the Restorative practices.

May 23, 2022 - Click HERE to view the screencast presentation regarding the Adaptive Sports League.

March 14, 2022 - Click HERE to view the screencast regarding Elementary Classroom Library Improvements.

February 14, 2022 - Click HERE to view the screencast regarding the Equity Update - Black History Month.

December 20, 2021 - Click HERE to view the screencast regarding School-Based Food Pantries.

November 8, 2021 - Click HERE to view the screencast regarding the Equity Update: McKinney Vento Act - Supporting Students & Families Experiencing Homelessness.

RESCHEDULED Pizza with a Purpose

Building on the spirit of Equity in Action: Community Conversations, the Department of Systemic Equity and Inclusion is excited to launch the first-ever Pizza with a Purpose. This informal gathering creates space for community members to come together, enjoy a slice, and engage in meaningful conversation about the district’s equity work. Come for the pizza. Stay for the purpose. Your voice matters. Flyers in ENG ESP

When: Saturday, January 24, 2026 February 21, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Where: Pizza Ranch 682 S. Grand Ave, Sun Prairie, WI 53590