Equity & Inclusion | EASTHAMPTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Current Initiatives & Ongoing work:

ALIGNMENT TO DESE'S EDUCATIONAL VISION

GRANT INITIATIVES

Hate Crime Prevention Grant
Bridge Builders - Elementary School
The Bridge Builders Program works with MVS students to practice listening, understanding, and problem-solving so they can resolve conflicts, strengthen friendships, and make their school a more welcoming place for everyone
GSA Intergroup Dialogue - Middle & High School
This program connects middle and high school students together to engage in structured, small-group workshops that foster relational dialogue, helping students explore social identities, differences, and issues of equity & belonging. Through this series, participants will build skills in self-awareness, civic discourse, and leadership and deepen understanding of the value of self, others, and the community around them
Anti-Bias Curriculum Development - High School
The Anti-Bias Curriuculum Development team of educators and families are initiating a process at EHS to teach and practice what we are calling “Dialogue Forums”. These forums – often known as Circles – offer opportunities for groups of people to learn and practice the skills of democratic dialogue grounded in respect, deep listening, and learning to deepen understanding of points of view that may be vastly different from one’s own
Bias Incident Response Toolkit
The Easthampton team development of a restorative education and bridging toolkit provides schools with a comprehensive resource to address bias incidents through restorative practices, fostering healing and accountability while supporting the well-being of those affected. With expert facilitation and ongoing technical assistance, this approach integrates with existing bias response protocols to promote a culture of empathy, community repair, and sustainable, equitable change
Genocide Education Grant
In collaboration with Springfield Public Schools, this initiative strengthens genocide education through professional development, curriculum creation, and leadership support, with 12 PD sessions designed to equip educators with the tools to teach this topic with accuracy, sensitivity, and trauma-informed practices. In addition to these sessions, the initiative includes the development of a semester-long genocide studies course, where students will engage with historical and contemporary examples, survivor testimonies, and critical discussions on human rights, resistance, and resilience
Civics Teaching & Learning Grant
In collaboration with Springfield Public Schools, the district is providing professional development on Children Discovering Justice Curriculum, which empowers students to explore the principles of justice, fairness, and civic responsibility through engaging lessons and activities. By examining historical and contemporary cases, students develop critical thinking skills while learning how to participate in their communities as informed, active citizens

RESOURCES & SPACES

Resources by Topics:
Social Identities
Implicit Bias & Microaggressions
Antisemitism
Islamophobia/Anti-Arab Racism
The N-Word
MA Attorney General's Guidance on Immigration Enforcement (ICE) and Student Safety
MA Attorney General's Guidance on Schools' Legal Obligations Regarding Hate and Bias Incidents
MA Attorney General's Guidance for School Athletic Staff on Hate Incidents
EHS Diversity Center
This center, run by Mr. Tate, at the high school provides a space for students to learn and connect around topics of diversity. This includes an open space for students to drop in (by appointment or during lunch) for support and community, a weekly Diverse Leaders Club meeting, opportunities for in-school events and presentations, as well as field trips to local conferences, community events, museums, and more. Here students have opportunity to learn, share their experiences, foster relationships, and develop leadership skills
Easthampton Public Schools Anonymous Reporting Box
Through this form, students, staff, and families can report any incidents of hate, bias, and bullying to the Easthampton Public Schools administration. Click here or the button below to report an incident

Anonymous Alerts

EQUITY & BELONGING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Transforming Education For Social Justice Conference
In collaboration with the CES Joy & Justice Team, EPS hosted The Transforming Education for Social Justice Conference in 2018 & 2025. This conference brings together educators, students, activists, and community leaders to engage in transformative discussions and workshops focused on advancing equity, bridging, and belonging in schools. The event provides a joyful intergeneration space for building connection and collaboration, as well sharing strategies, tools, art, resources, and practices to create more inclusive and equitable educational environments.
Previous educator & staff PD sessions:
CES Joy & Justice Team Workshops:
Building Relational Culture
The Cycle of Socialization
Unconscious Bias & Microaggressions
Handling 'Hot Moments'
Changing Behaviors
Student, Staff, Family, and Community Listening Sessions
Book Studies:
Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain by Zaretta Hammond
Grading for Equity by Joe Feldman
Department of Justice Community Relations Service's School SPIRIT (School/Student Problem Identification and Resolution of Issues Together)
ArxEd Trainings
Mandated Reporting
Civil Rights
FERPA

PROCESSES FOR EQUITY & BELONGING IN CURRICULA, CULTURE & DISCIPLINE POLICIES

CES Research & Evaluation Team developed process for self-auditing disproportionality in discipline data annually
The Equity & Belonging Team reviewed and began developing a profile of a graduate that aligns with the team's vision of equity & belonging
Ongoing use of curriculum audit tools, such as DESE's Civil Rights Equity Toolkit
Students & Families Bullying & Prevention Resources
Student Handbook (see practices & policies around restorative practices and progressive discipline)

Easthampton Equity & Belonging Team:

The Equity & Belonging Team is comprised of students, educators, administrators, and parents from Easthampton Public Schools. The purpose of the Team is to advise district leadership, building leadership, and the School Committee on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This Team has convened since 2017 in partnership with the Joy & Justice Team from the Collaborative for Educational Services, and you can view a timeline of our work on this padlet.

Collaboratively, we have utilized a framework that requires us to:

Design at the margins- to ensure access to learning and success of all members of our community by planning for marginalized groups (students of color, individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, students of poverty, English learners, members of marginalized religious communities, and others at the margins) thus benefitting all

Start with yourself- to consider our own implicit bias, recognizing how bias impacts student learning and outcomes

Cede power- to ensure that all voices are heard, especially student voice, so that power is held by all

Make the invisible visible- to know and understand the historical narrative (story) and the design of our systems as well as the intentional and/or unintentional impact of those systems

Speak to the future- to engage and invest in the ongoing process of envisioning, this being the culture of a community that values equity

In 2024, the Team shifted focus to a new framework that more explicitly centered Belonging & Bridging drawing on resources from UC Berkeley's Othering & Belonging Institute.