OHMCS Equity and Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist (ABAR) Commitment Statement
Oak Hill Montessori Community School is committed to the following actions:
To Integrate: age-appropriate anti-bias, anti-racist education at all levels of our school.
- Some examples include:
- Use of gender-neutral and pronoun inclusive language.
- A welcoming and open approach to student dialogue about ABAR topics.
- Thoughtful selection of texts and resources used in classrooms, with focus placed on centering people of the global majority.
- Ensuring that students’ cultural food requirements are honored.
To Communicate: equity and inclusion practices to families through classroom emails, community gatherings, parent education events, and resources made available.
- Some examples include:
- Inclusion of personal pronouns in staff email signatures, use of correct pronouns in students and family member communication.
- Sharing texts and resources used with families through weekly classroom emails, including how ABAR work is integrated in the classroom.
- Communication of local community events and activities that promote and include ABAR learning, and reflects an inclusive view of the Shoreview and Twin Cities populations.
To Prioritize: Anti-Bias Anti-Racist Professional Development and training for staff. We are working currently to set initiatives for ABAR goals that can be worked toward consistently.
- Some examples include:
- Annual ABAR book discussion group among OHMCS staff since 2020.
- ABAR-focused Professional Development selections offered to staff.
- Current drafting of specific ABAR goals that include consistent reflection and progress monitoring.
To Apply: a lens of equity and inclusion to strengthen all programs, policies, and practices including recruitment of families and staff members of the global majority.
- Some examples include:
- Reflection and review of school ABAR practices and existing policies.
- Policies and procedures that emphasize respect, integrity, and inclusion, with a focus on community building.
- Presentation of food served in a neutral manner.
We recognize that the above statement of our school’s Equity and ABAR commitment requires consistent effort and reflection as a staff and faculty. While such a statement is important for communication of our school values, the commitment to the work itself is most vital to our entire learning community.
