Office of Cultural Diversity
Mission
The Office of Cultural Diversity (OCD) works collaboratively with all Springfield Public Schools personnel to provide support and intervention services designed to enhance the academic achievement and personal development of underrepresented populations of students.
Vision
The Office of Cultural Diversity is committed to building a school district community in which diversity is valued and each student within the district is treated with respect, and supports are in place to ensure success for all children.
Collective Commitments
Effective prevention, intervention and support are essential to ensuring optimal learning and growth for all students. The Office of Cultural Diversity is committed to the following:
- Providing assistance to students, parents and school personnel in a customer friendly respectful manner.
- Open communication, collaborative problem-solving and advocating on the student’s behalf when needed and warranted.
- Increasing successful parent involvement by developing and supporting positive relationships with school staff on behalf of underrepresented populations of families within the community.
- Continual monitoring of the results of individual and collaborative services to promote educational success of underrepresented populations of students.
- Promoting a safe and nurturing environment that is conducive to the academic and social growth of each student.
Key Work Processes/Program Responsibilities/Services:
- Serve as an advocate for student/families of underrepresented populations; intervening when necessary by setting up conferences, attending disciplinary hearings, and holding parent meetings.
- Link school and community organizations forming partnerships that will support successful activities for students of underrepresented populations.
- Provide teachers with resources to attend conferences/seminars dealing with the subject areas of students of underrepresented populations.
- Coordinate Diversity Training Program for district personnel.
- Take an active role in recruiting employees of underrepresented populations for the district.
- Oversee Springfield Public Schools Culturally Diverse Teacher Scholarship Program.
- Afford parents and students of underrepresented populations a venue to obtain information regarding Springfield Public School Policies, community resources, and knowledge of college preparatory guidelines and expectations.